GeoScape: An instructional rock garden for inquiry-based cooperative learning exercises in introductory geology courses

Journal of Geoscience Education, Mar 2003 by Calderone, Gary J, Thompson, J Robert, Johnson, Wayne M, Kadel, Steve D, Et al

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

GeoScape has already proven to be an excellent collaborative learning resource in the development of curriculum that fosters critical thinking and problem solving skills. Exercises can be developed for a single lab, a series of labs, or an entire semester class. The proximity of GeoScape relative to our classrooms and labs has made it possible to use it not only as a lab tool but also as a mini-field trip locality that can be used in traditionally lecture-oriented classes. GeoScapes can be relatively easy to design and construct depending on the size and scope of the project.

Although we do not generally advocate using simulated landscapes in lieu of actual field trips to geologic localities, there are circumstances in which we feel that the GeoScape simulated field experience is an excellent substitute. For example, students with disabilities might otherwise be prevented from participating in a longer or less physically accessible geologic field trip (Cooke and others, 1997). Furthermore, we offer many evening classes in which trips to local field localities are precluded by darkness. Our GeoScape is lit well enough at night to be useful as an evening field exercise. Finally, we note that in many regions of the country, the nearest exposures of geologic structures such as those illustrated by GeoScape may be hundreds of miles away.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The original GeoScape map pattern was conceived and designed under a National Science Foundation (NSF) educational grant DUE #9552505. Construction was funded mostly by the Arizona Collaborative for Excellence in Preparation of Teachers (ACEPT), a NSF educational grant (DUE #9453610). Further construction funding was provided by Glendale Community College via Jean Ann Abel, Dean of Instruction, Joyce Elsner, Dean of Administrative Services, and the Applied Science Department. Dr. Ramon Arrowsmith, Associate Professor of Geology at Arizona State University provided the balloon-mounted aerial photography. We thank the following personnel of Glendale Community College for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty in the completion of this project: John Winters (Chair, Applied Science Department), Regis Della-Calce and Herman Gonzalez (Business Services), and Al Gonzales (Maintenance and Operations). Without the efforts of these individuals and their staffs, this project would probably never have materialized. Arimax Landscaping (James Worsnup, proprietor) did an outstanding job of constructing GeoScape under very tight time and logistical constraints. We thank Steven Good, William Stattely, and Laura Crossey for their constructive reviews of an earlier version of the manuscript.

REFERENCES

Alcock, J., 1994, Simulating the historical process to create laboratory exercised that teach research methods, Journal of Geological Education, v. 42, p. 118-124.

Bailey, C. M., 1998, An integrative geologic mapping project for structural geology courses, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 46, p. 245-251.