Teaching Activities
These teaching activities have been contributed to the collection by faculty members across the country. You can contribute an activity of your own to the collection using the Teach the Earth contribute form as well.
Resource Type Show all
Learning Outcomes
- Design a data strategy 15 matches Design a field strategy to collect or select data in order to answer a geologic question.
- Collect data 16 matches Collect accurate and sufficient data on field relationships and record these using disciplinary conventions (field notes, map symbols, etc.).
- Synthesize geologic data 18 matches Synthesize geologic data and integrate with core concepts and skills into a cohesive spatial and temporal scientific interpretation.
- Interpret systems and processes 14 matches Interpret earth systems and past/current/future processes using multiple lines of spatially distributed evidence.
- Develop an argument 19 matches Develop an argument that is consistent with available evidence and uncertainty.
- Communicate clearly 16 matches Communicate clearly using written, verbal, and/or visual media (e.g., maps, cross-sections, reports) with discipline-specific terminology appropriate to your audience.
- Work independently and collaboratively 14 matches Work effectively independently and collaboratively (e.g., commitment, reliability, leadership, open for advice, channels of communication, supportive, inclusive).
- Reflect on personal strengths/challenges 5 matches Reflect on personal strengths and challenges (e.g. in study design, safety, time management, independent and collaborative work).
- Demonstrate professional behaviors 15 matches Demonstrate behaviors expected of professional geoscientists (e.g., time management, work preparation, collegiality, health and safety, ethics).
Capstone Field Experience
Resource TypeResults 1 - 20 of 57 matches
Getting started with Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry
Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope
Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry method uses overlapping images to create a 3D point cloud of an object or landscape. It can be applied to everything from fault scarps to landslides to topography. This ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Field Activity, Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Work independently and collaboratively , Design a data strategy
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Karst Hydrogeology: A virtual field introduction using Google Earth and GIS
Rachel Bosch, Northern Kentucky University
Students will have the opportunity to select and virtually explore the hydrogeology and geomorphology of a karst landscape using Google Earth, lidar data-sourced DEM(s) and geologic maps, and GIS software (QGIS) ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Writing Assignment, Project, Field Activity, Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Work independently and collaboratively , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Develop an argument, Reflect on personal strengths/challenges , Synthesize geologic data , Collect data, Interpret systems and processes
See the activity page for details.
Geological Mapping of a Virtual Landscape
Mark Helper, The University of Texas at Austin
This virtual mapping exercise is part video game, part map prediction and interpretation. You will navigate a virtual landscape to "collect" outcrops and their field notes, recording your observations on ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity, Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Collect data, Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone
See the activity page for details.
Working with Point Clouds in CloudCompare and Classifying with CANUPO
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado
This exercise will walk you through 1) basic operations and use in CloudCompare, and 2) use of an Open-Source plugin in CloudCompare called CANUPO (http://nicolas.brodu.net/en/recherche/canupo/) that allows for ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity, Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Interpret systems and processes , Develop an argument, Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
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Measuring the Inclination and Declination of the Earth's magnetic field with a smartphone
Avradip Ghosh, University of Houston-University Park
The poles of the Earth's magnetic field are not precisely aligned with the geographic north and south poles and, in fact, vary continuously. This activity introduces to students the Earth's magnetic ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Classroom Activity, Field Activity, Project, Lab Activity
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Virtual Geological Mapping Field Trip - Glens of Tekoa, New Zealand
Travis Horton, University of Canterbury; Katherine Pedley
Geological mapping involves the observation, recording, presentation and interpretation of field data, all fundamental skills required by practicing geologists. This virtual geological mapping exercise enables ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity
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See the activity page for details.
Virtual Geologic Mapping Exercise at Lough Fee
Steve Whitmeyer, James Madison University
The Virtual Geologic Mapping Exercise is designed to simulate an introductory field mapping exercise. Students load a KML file in Google Earth that includes real outcrop data in the form of dots and orientation ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity, Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Work independently and collaboratively , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Interpret systems and processes , Develop an argument, Design a data strategy , Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
See the activity page for details.
SIGkit (Software for Introductory Geophysics toolkit) for modelling and visualization of data
Charly Bank, University of Toronto
Predicting what geophysical data may look like and making basic inferences from data are critical learning outcomes of introductory geophysics courses whether they happen in a classroom or in a field setting. This ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity, Field Activity, Problem Set
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Collect data, Design a data strategy
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone
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Sandy Hollow Virtual Field Geology Exercise
Andrew Laskowski, Montana State University-Bozeman
This is a Google Earth based virtual field exercise focused on Sandy Hollow, near Block Mountain and McCartney Mountain in southwest Montana. This is a classic field locality in the Montana portion of the Sevier ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Work independently and collaboratively , Reflect on personal strengths/challenges , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Communicate clearly , Develop an argument, Synthesize geologic data , Collect data, Interpret systems and processes
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
See the activity page for details.
Sonar water-column sounding and bathymetry mapping using fish finders
Robert Stewart, University of Houston-University Park
This water-body activity introduces students to the concept of a regular survey pattern, series of sonar measurements, and water-column and bottom mapping. The basic concept is to cast or tow a small sonar ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate professional behaviors , Communicate clearly , Collect data, Design a data strategy
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Virtual Field Trip to the Cagles Mill Outcrop, Indiana
Max Christie, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
During this virtual field trip students will write sedimentary facies descriptions, draw a stratigraphic column, and develop a set of paleogeographic maps of the Cagles Mill Spillway outcrop. This site is a ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity, Lab Activity
See the activity page for details.
Using StraboSpot for Field Sedimentology & Stratigraphy
Casey J. Duncan, New Mexico State University
This module uses StraboSpot (free mobile app for iOS and Android devices and web API, backend database) and two Utah datasets to facilitate teaching field methods related to sedimentology and stratigraphy. The data ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Lab Activity, Field Activity, Project
Learning Outcomes: Synthesize geologic data , Communicate clearly , Collect data, Design a data strategy
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone
Learn more about this review process.
Magnetometry at home: a hands-on survey with your smartphone
Charly Bank, University of Toronto
Using a free app downloaded to their smartphone or tablet device students engage in collecting magnetic field data. Students have to design and document a survey, and are encouraged to do simple quality control. ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity, Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Communicate clearly , Synthesize geologic data , Design a data strategy , Collect data
See the activity page for details.
Reconnaissance stratigraphy and mapping of the Frying Pan Gulch, MT
Sinan Akciz, California State University-Fullerton
Students are required to create a reconnaissance geologic map and report for a small area (approximately 0.5 sq. mile) Frying Pan Gulch just NW of Dillon, Montana. This project is designed to make students familiar ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Work independently and collaboratively , Reflect on personal strengths/challenges , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Interpret systems and processes , Design a data strategy , Develop an argument, Collect data, Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
See the activity page for details.
Introduction to Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado; Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope
In this assignment, students analyze terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) data in a similar manner as done previously with structure from motion (SfM) data, earlier in the course. Students compare and contrast the SfM ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Field Activity, Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Work independently and collaboratively , Develop an argument, Interpret systems and processes , Synthesize geologic data
Learn more about this review process.
Sage Hen Flat fieldcamp/capstone activity
Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This activity attempts to simulate the process of field-based science investigation for the Sage Hen Flat area of the White Mountains, California. The Sage Hen Flat pluton is Jurassic in age and intrudes ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity, Writing Assignment
Learning Outcomes: Work independently and collaboratively , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Develop an argument, Reflect on personal strengths/challenges , Communicate clearly , Interpret systems and processes , Collect data, Design a data strategy , Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
See the activity page for details.
Post-processing GPS/GNSS Base Station Position
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado; Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope
This assignment uses static GNSS methods to establish a base station used to establish a control point for a kinematic survey (establishing ground control points used in Structure from Motion for Analysis of River ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity, Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Design a data strategy
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
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Structure from Motion for Analysis of River Characteristics
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado; Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope
In this assignment, students conduct a Structure from Motion (SfM) survey of the Sheep Draw field site along the Poudre River near Greely, CO. The end product is a point cloud used in additional assignments to ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity, Lab Activity, Project
Learning Outcomes: Interpret systems and processes , Develop an argument, Synthesize geologic data , Design a data strategy , Collect data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
Learn more about this review process.
Geologic Mapping on Mars
J. Brian Balta, Texas A & M University
This activity consists of several mapping components exploring the JMARS software and completing detailed geologic maps and cross sections on Mars.
Resource Type: Activities:Project, Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Work independently and collaboratively , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Develop an argument, Synthesize geologic data , Design a data strategy , Collect data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
Learn more about this review process.
Exploring the Grand Canyon: Mystery of Blacktail Canyon
Wendy Taylor, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus
Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layers of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Virtual Field Trip, Field Activity
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone