Unit 2: Mashing it up: physical models of deformation and strain part of GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes
Vince Cronin, Baylor University (Vince_Cronin@baylor.edu) Phil Resor, Wesleyan University (presor@wesleyan.edu)
Students gain an intuitive understanding of strain and deformation through a series of physical model activities using everyday materials such as bungee cords, rubber bands, fabric, index cards, silly putty, sand, ...

Using concept sketches for field trip wrap-up part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Activities
Barb Tewksbury, Hamilton College
This is a post-field trip assignment in a structural geology course. Students create a set of concept sketches, with a short introduction, to illustrate the structural features and geologic history of the area, ...

Structural Geology 'Research' Conference part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Julie Willis, Brigham Young University-Idaho
In this assignment students read and discuss a peer-reviewed journal article and prepare for and attend our class 'research' conference. In the conference they present on an area of current research as ...

Student Field Guide part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Katherine Boggs, Mount Royal University
This activity was inspired by the "Pet Rock" project of Daryl Henry. I developed this activity to be a capstone experience for our students. During the fall 4th year field trip, students are responsible ...

Linear and Planar Features part of Spatial Thinking Workbook:Teaching Activities
Carol Ormand Ph.D., Carleton College
Students gesture the orientations of linear and planar features. In the first part of the exercise, students can only see one surface of a wooden block, and are asked to speculate about how planar features penetrate through the interior. Later, they uncover the other faces of the block and gesture the actual orientations.

Guided Reading of Scientific Journal Articles part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Activities
Carol Ormand Ph.D., Carleton College
This is a sequence of assignments for my Structural Geology course that guides students through the process of critically reading and analyzing scientific journal articles. For each article, I outline the general ...

In-class Review: Simple vs. Pure Shear part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Elizabeth Goeke, Salem State University; Elizabeth Goeke, Vassar College
Quick review worksheet that has students draw a sequence of illustrations of what would occur to a syntectonic quart vein, a pebble conglomerate, a rigid object, and a garnet porphyroblast for pure vs. simple ...

Food Rheology; Folding Fun part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Erin Beutel, College of Charleston
In this activity students analyze the rheologic and structural properties of various foods (everything from pudding to white bread) and think about how they expect them to behave under lateral pressure and how they ...

Spherical Projections part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Frederick Vollmer, SUNY College at New Paltz
This is a sequence of two labs on spherical projections and orientation data analysis. The first lab in the semester introduces data formats for lines and planes (strike, dip, trend, plunge, etc.). Spherical ...

Photo observation & interpretation part of Structural Geology and Tectonics:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Sarah Titus, Carleton College
Each week in Structural Geology, I assign students the task of sketching, describing, and interpreting an image. The images are chosen to match the relevant course material for that week. There is a specific form ...