AESTHETIC COUNTERTOP GEOLOGY DISPLAYS FOR INTRODUCTORY TO ADVANCED GEOSCIENCE CLASSES

Striking rock slab displays throughout the Fredrick Albert Sutton Building (FASB) make the home of Geology and Geophysics (GG) at the University of Utah one of the most unique geoscience education buildings in the country. Cut and polished rock slabs, typically used for kitchen countertops, come in a dazzling array of rock types from all over the world. Large slabs are acquired through purchase and partnership with local stone vendors. Each display is carefully selected to teach specific concepts and is arranged pedagogically with lighting, mounting, and positioning aimed to showcase the scientific features of each piece. All of the slabs are regularly used as “virtual field trip” teaching resources in most GG classes offered. Exercises based on the display slabs have generated a large quantity of data, at multiple scales, from the global tectonic context down to chemical data at the grain size scale of microns to millimeters.

To leverage the outstanding teaching potential of the FASB rock slabs, the University is currently supporting the development of a centralized electronic database where slab data (i.e., photomicrographs, geochemical data, publications, etc.) can be stored, accessed, and shared by the faculty, students, and general public. Faculty will be able to access data that can be used to develop new teaching exercises, as well as improve existing ones. Students can participate in the data collection process itself by enrolling in the new Countertop Geology GG course. This class exposes students to advanced analytical techniques that generate petrologic and geochemical data to elucidate more of the history or origins of the slab features. Ultimately, the collected data will be used to generate informative signage, leading to a more immersive and educational experience for visitors and students alike. QR codes associated with each of the slabs will also be linked to a webpage where visitors and students can view data electronically, such as high-resolution photomicrographs, microprobe data, and publications, relating to each of the slabs. This project aims to elevate the transformational education experience, and provides an exemplary framework for integrating artful and inspirational displays with multi-level educational resources.