T242 Great Geological Field Trips (Posters)

Tuesday, 29 October 2013
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Hall D

GEOLOGICAL MAPPING IN THE FIELD THROUGH A UNIQUE BI-NATIONAL APPROACH TO TEACHING: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA

Paper number: T242-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Graduates entering the global workforce of today require a well-rounded geologic education that fuses theory from contemporary geologic sub-disciplines with experiencing working with international groups through a field-mapping experience. International educational experiences provide both students and faculty with global perspectives. To provide this experience for our students, the geology programs at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and the Central American School of Geology at University of Costa Rica (UCR) created a combined geologic mapping experience supported by geologists from the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The objective of the course was to provide a capstone learning experience for our students where they gain practical training on geological problems through a field experience with a bi-national team while fostering higher order thinking skills. The mapping campaign this year focused on the area in close proximity to Arenal Volcano, close to the Texas A&M University Soltis Center for Research and Education.

Students were divided into mapping teams that consisted of two students from UCR, a student from TAMU, and/or professors from both institutions and geologists from the Ministry. The mapping day began early in the morning and continued until mid afternoon, when the rains of the rainy season would commence. Evenings were group events that included discussions about the mapping of the day, a comparison of maps and a discussion of problem outcrops discovered in the field. Communication was in both English and Spanish, providing all the opportunity to be introduced to or improve language skills.

Traditional mapping using topographic maps, Brunton compass and field book was combined with digital mapping tablets using FieldMove®. The units mapped in the area consisted of pryoclastic rocks, lava flows, debris flows, sedimentary rocks and alluvial deposits. These were mapped at 1:10,000.

This was truly a unique experience for all. We conclude that international cross-cultural teaching and learning increase global perspective and effective teaching.