This year's 5-week UCR summer field course went exceptionally well. This time around I was the only instructor but fortunately had one teaching assistant helping each half. We had seven students which was quite a manageable number to keep track of in the field and thankfully despite their differences got along extremely well. We also stayed at four different UC field stations, three of them new visits for me. Although each move involved more time cleaning and packing it seemed to reduce fatigue and increase interest. A few projects were dropped from last year, a few were added or modified. A few projects were extended from last year. Fortunately every change I made seemed to result in a smoother field experience for the students. They genuinely seemed to have a good time and learned a whole lot. I'll forgo the full story suffice it to say that I could probably write a book on the experience given the action packed 16 hour days for 35 days straight.
I'll share perhaps one memorable experience (of many!) and then leave it to the photos to tell the rest. Temperatures were roasting hot while we were at Bishop Station but fortunately I planned ahead and brought a class set of inner tubes to float the Owens River near the station. This was a big hit with the students, especially considering this was their first time floating down a river. A few days later I had a structural geology lecture I needed to give the students. When they thought I wasn't listening I overheard a student joke to other students that they wish I could just give the lecture on the river. Challenge accepted! I gave a structure lecture (whiteboard and all!) from my Alpacka while we all floated down a two mile stretch of the Owens River. Although there was all sorts of antics as everyone spun around, drifted at different speeds, and avoided being swept into a bank, both the students and I gave it a solid effort and as a lecture it actually went really well. It was just the morale boost we all needed and a lecture they won't soon forget.
I'll share perhaps one memorable experience (of many!) and then leave it to the photos to tell the rest. Temperatures were roasting hot while we were at Bishop Station but fortunately I planned ahead and brought a class set of inner tubes to float the Owens River near the station. This was a big hit with the students, especially considering this was their first time floating down a river. A few days later I had a structural geology lecture I needed to give the students. When they thought I wasn't listening I overheard a student joke to other students that they wish I could just give the lecture on the river. Challenge accepted! I gave a structure lecture (whiteboard and all!) from my Alpacka while we all floated down a two mile stretch of the Owens River. Although there was all sorts of antics as everyone spun around, drifted at different speeds, and avoided being swept into a bank, both the students and I gave it a solid effort and as a lecture it actually went really well. It was just the morale boost we all needed and a lecture they won't soon forget.
Poleta Folds project
Working out the Poleta stratigraphy
A structural geology lecture while floating on the Owens River!
Digital Poleta project
Poleta Formation attenuated by intrusion of the Papoose Flat Pluton
Work!
En route to White Mountain Peak (14,252')
More fun with pumice
Convict Lake glacial project
Bishop Gorge geotechnical project
McGee Creek fault scarp
Little Hot Creek
Black Point project
Crowley Lake
Thanks to the TAs Charlie and Chris, the many people that helped with logistics, and the 2017 Summer Field students for a memorable and successful course.
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