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.
Learning Outcomes
- Design a data strategy 23 matches Design a field strategy to collect or select data in order to answer a geologic question.
- Collect data 30 matches Collect accurate and sufficient data on field relationships and record these using disciplinary conventions (field notes, map symbols, etc.).
- Synthesize geologic data 34 matches Synthesize geologic data and integrate with core concepts and skills into a cohesive spatial and temporal scientific interpretation.
- Interpret systems and processes 26 matches Interpret earth systems and past/current/future processes using multiple lines of spatially distributed evidence.
- Develop an argument 32 matches Develop an argument that is consistent with available evidence and uncertainty.
- Communicate clearly 33 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 25 matches Work effectively independently and collaboratively (e.g., commitment, reliability, leadership, open for advice, channels of communication, supportive, inclusive).
- Reflect on personal strengths/challenges 8 matches Reflect on personal strengths and challenges (e.g. in study design, safety, time management, independent and collaborative work).
- Demonstrate professional behaviors 23 matches Demonstrate behaviors expected of professional geoscientists (e.g., time management, work preparation, collegiality, health and safety, ethics).
Capstone Field Experience
Results 21 - 40 of 97 matches
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.
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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Quaternary mapping in Bells Canyon as an introduction to ArcGIS Pro
Karen Gran, University of Minnesota-Duluth
This lab is intended to take a GIS novice and introduce them to mapping in ArcGIS Pro by producing a Quaternary map of Bells Canyon in Utah. It can be used as a first GIS exercise to introduce select skills to the ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Work independently and collaboratively , Communicate clearly , Collect data, Synthesize geologic data
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
See the activity page for details.
Fold Analysis Challenge
Declan De Paor, Old Dominion University; Mladen Dorevic, Old Dominion University; Paul Karabinos, Williams College; Barb Tewksbury, Hamilton College; Steve Whitmeyer, James Madison University
The Fold Analysis Challenge (FAC) uses Google Earth and a customized Google Earth interface to help students visualize the orientations of eroded dipping sedimentary layers and to visualize the geometries of folds ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Activities, Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Synthesize geologic data , Collect data
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone
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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.
Mars Virtual Field Camp: Geologic Mapping of Jezero Crater
Casey J. Duncan, New Mexico State University; , University of Utah
This virtual capstone field mapping project is centered around geologic mapping of Jezero crater, Mars and is composed of six modules and four synchronous live online lectures. Students work in mapping groups (of ...
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Writing Assignment, Virtual Field Trip, Lab Activity, Project
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Demonstrate professional behaviors , Work independently and collaboratively , 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.
Birth of a River in Yellowstone National Park
Erika Elswick, Indiana University-Bloomington
The Madison River headwaters, in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, are formed by the joining of the Firehole River and the Gibbon River. This location provides an opportunity for students to ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Reflect on personal strengths/challenges , Work independently and collaboratively , Communicate clearly , Design a data strategy , Interpret systems and processes
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
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Mid-Atlantic Appalachian Orogen Traverse – Field Trip 3
Steve Whitmeyer, James Madison University
The Mid-Atlantic Appalachian Orogen Traverse is a series of 4 virtual field trips that cross the Blue Ridge and Valley and Ridge geologic provinces in northwestern Virginia and northeastern West Virginia. This ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Work independently and collaboratively , Collect data, Develop an argument, Synthesize geologic data , Interpret systems and processes
Capstone Field Experience: Capstone (virtual)
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Virtual Field Trip to Laki Fissure
Katherine Kelley, University of Rhode Island
This is a virtual field trip to Iceland's Laki Fissure, which explores the 1783 eruption as a type example of a large historical lava flow eruption that had a significant impact on the local human population ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip
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Virtual Field Trip to Mt. Vesuvius
Katherine Kelley, University of Rhode Island
This is a virtual field trip to Italy's Mt. Vesuvius, which explores the 79AD eruption of the volcano. Students explore the excavated cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the different types of ...
Resource Type: Activities:Virtual Field Trip
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Virtual Geology Field Trips: Bringing the Story of Rock Outcrops to Today's Classroom
Ed Marintsch, St. Thomas HS (TX) (Emeritus)
Why use this website? Many teachers would love to take their Earth Science students into the field but can't because the nearest rock formation is hours away, time is lacking, or funding is tight. Now you can ...
Resource Type: Essays and Blog Posts
Introduction to Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado; Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope Consortium
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
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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)
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Virtual Fieldtrip to Baraboo, WI, with StraboSpot
Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This activity is a virtual field trip to the Baraboo area of southern Wisconsin. The StraboSpot digital data system is used to show the data, including the spot functionality to view outcrops at multiple spatial ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Collect data, Develop an argument
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Data Uncertainty Module
Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This is a (~35 slide) powerpoint with embedded video/audio that specifically addresses data uncertainty. It provides a "meter" that allows you to evaluate uncertainty. It provides geology field-based ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity
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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.
Seismology with smart phones and Raspberry Shake geophone systems
Robert Stewart, University of Houston-University Park
This activity introduces students to the concept of vibration recording and the monitoring of seismic shaking. The basic concept is to use motion-sensing devices to understand the character of vibrations and ...
Resource Type: Activities:Field Activity, Lab Activity
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Collect data, Design a data strategy
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Virtual field trip to Giant's Causeway, Ireland
Jill Schneiderman, Vassar College
This online assignment takes the students on a virtual field trip to Giant's Causeway in northern Ireland. It begins with a brief video of the geological site, includes some questions relevant to the history ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Virtual Field Trip, Classroom Activity
Learning Outcomes: Communicate clearly , Interpret systems and processes , Develop an argument
Capstone Field Experience: Not a Capstone
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DEM of Difference (DoD)
Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado
This assignment builds on students' point cloud and raster differencing skills practiced on their SfM and TLS data in the previous assignment. In this assignment, the students use two lidar-derived raster ...
Resource Type: Activities:Lab Activity, Classroom Activity, Field Activity
Learning Outcomes: Develop an argument, Communicate clearly , Work independently and collaboratively , Demonstrate professional behaviors , Interpret systems and processes , Synthesize geologic data
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.