11 Geoscience Education in the Western U.S and México. Practices, Pathways, and Partnerships.
Promotes the exchange of educational practices, and collaborations between U.S.A. and México to strengthen geoscience education, fostering academic networks, pedagogical innovation, and collaborative training for students and faculty.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
LMH, Deli
Enhancing the Teaching of Mexico’s Geology Through Virtual Geological Field Trips
Paper number: 11-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:50 PM – 4:10 PM
Authors
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Javier Mancera-Alejandrez Presenting AuthorUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Division of Earth Sciences Engineering), Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México
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Luca FerrariUNAM - Campus Juriquilla, Centro de Geociencias, Juriquilla, QRO
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Enrique González-TorresUniv. Nacional Auton. de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacan, México, DF
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Sergio Macias-MedranoUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Division of Earth Sciences Engineering), Ciudad de México, CDMX
Abstract
Virtual Geological Field Trips (VGFT) have been developed at the Faculty of Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico as instructional resources to support geoscience education and the teaching of Mexico’s geology. These virtual experiences are designed to strengthen students’ observational skills by enabling the analysis of geological records preserved in rock bodies, as well as the interpretation of spatial and temporal relationships and regional geological evolution models.
Field-based observation is a cornerstone of geological training; however, the diversity and complexity of Mexico’s stratigraphic record demand extensive field excursions that are frequently constrained by economic, logistical, and safety limitations. VGFT address these challenges by providing structured virtual access to representative outcrops from selected geological provinces, guided by specialists with regional expertise.
The VGFT integrate interactive geological maps in a Google Earth environment with diverse audiovisual resources, including UAV-derived videos, high-resolution photomosaics, three-dimensional models, and immersive 360° imagery. This combination facilitates multiscale observation and supports the development of spatial reasoning skills essential for geological interpretation.
The incorporation of VGFT into geoscience courses enhances student engagement and conceptual understanding of geological processes and spatial relationships. As a complementary instructional strategy, VGFT offer an accessible and effective alternative to traditional fieldwork, reinforcing field-based learning while expanding opportunities for geoscience education.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 3
doi: 10.1130/abs/2026CD-411044
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