USING HIGH RESOLUTION TOPOGRAPHY DATA IN UNDERGRADUATE GEOSCIENCE FIELD COURSES (Invited Presentation)

Indiana University Geologic Field Station, in collaboration with UNAVCO, has pioneered the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in undergraduate field courses. TLS produces dense point clouds, which represent high-resolution topography that can be used for a variety of geoscience applications. Field experiences have long been considered an integral part of geoscience learning but field courses must keep pace with modern methods to ensure that future geoscience workforce is well prepared.

In order to expand the use of geodesy field methods to other undergraduate field courses UNAVCO, Indiana University, and Idaho State University are collaborating on the NSF-funded GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues (GETSI) Field Collection, which is publishing online teaching modules and running instructor short courses on field geodesy methods. Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring the Earth’s size, shape, orientation, mass distribution and the variations of these with time. Modern field geodesy methods include structure from motion (SfM), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and kinematic and static GPS/GNSS surveying (global positioning system/global navigation satellite system). The module “Analyzing High Resolution Topography with TLS and SfM” is available online at http://serc.carleton.edu/getsi/teaching_materials/high-rez-topo. In addition to introducing students to the basic TLS and SfM survey methods, the module includes units that apply point clouds to stratigraphic, engineering geology, fault scarp, and change detection analyses. The module development and assessment follows the model developed by the InTeGrate Project (an NSF STEP Center) and previously tested on geodesy content in the GETSI classroom collection (serc.carleton.edu/getsi). This model emphasizes use of best practices in STEM education, including situating the learning in the context of societal importance. Analysis of student work during development and testing shows a high level of achievement of module learning goals.

Next year a second module “High Precision Positioning with Static and Kinematic GPS/GNSS” will also be produced. In order to facilitate instructor adoption of the teaching modules, two four-day short courses have been run so far. Overall participant satisfaction with the short courses has been 9 out of 10.