GEOLOGY FIELDTRIPS IN THE TIME OF COVID: USING VIRTUAL PLATFORMS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC IN LOCAL GEOLOGY

The push towards the creation and availability of virtual field trips (VFTs) started before the onset of COVID-19; however, this global pandemic has greatly accentuated the importance of these resources to educate both students and the broader public about geological and environmental issues in a virtual format. Virtual field trips are invaluable for eliminating barriers of financial, social, and physical accessibility to many students, and are now viewed as an essential component of undergraduate programs that focus on experiential learning. When these resources are available on platforms with open access to the public, they also provide an important means to communicate information about the value and importance of environmental and geoscientific research to society at large. From choosing the most appropriate platform, the best types of data to include, and which aspects of the field should be highlighted, the creation of a virtual field trip can be daunting. This presentation describes the processes involved in the creation of a series of virtual field trips that describe and explain the origin of the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario. This work is being conducted in collaboration with APGO Education Foundation and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, and involves the development of a series of virtual field trips and geotrails for the Niagara Escarpment, focusing initially on the Hamilton region, and expanding north at a later date. The Niagara Escarpment has been selected for this work as it is an important landform in southern Ontario, lies within the largest urban area in Canada, bisects the city of Hamilton, and has a fascinating geologic history to tell, both in the formation of the sedimentary rocks it exposes and in the ongoing erosional processes that shape it. The virtual field trips therefore have value both as a teaching tool for students and for exposing and educating the public to the many geological and environmental issues associated with the escarpment. The content and form of the virtual field trips, the platforms we are using for delivery, and their applications for educational use and for public outreach will be addressed together with consideration of best practices for creating collaborative and engaging virtual field experiences.