Imagine gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology while exploring the natural wonders of the Sierra Nevada. Thanks to the innovative 21st Century Field Geoscience Chevron BootCamps led by Dr. Christopher Pluhar, students recently had the opportunity to go beyond the classroom and dive deep into the world of geoscience. These immersive experiences offered a blend of fieldwork and advanced technology, transforming the traditional learning model into a dynamic, real-world adventure.
In the first BootCamp, participants honed their skills with LiDAR drones, a technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the environment, to capture high-quality data, learned to identify and map rockslide masses versus other geological formations, and explored tectonic and geothermal features in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. This practical approach provided invaluable insights into the methods used by professionals in the field.
Building on this foundation, the second BootCamp took students through the volcanic history of the Sierra Nevada. They employed state-of-the-art mobile software on smartphones and tablets to analyze volcanic rock formations, map ancient eruption boundaries, and reconstruct historical topographies. This advanced technique marked a significant departure from traditional paper maps, underscoring the progression of geoscience tools and methodologies.
Dr. Pluhar emphasizes the importance of fieldwork in active learning, noting that students not only gathered original data but also camped near their study sites, working closely with instructors.
“These BootCamp[s] [were] literally Camp”
This hands-on approach mirrors the capstone experiences required by many geoscience programs and prepares students for real-world challenges.
With plans to integrate these techniques into various courses in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the BootCamps are setting a new standard for geoscience education, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and enhancing student readiness for 21st-century careers. As these experiences continue to shape the curriculum, they promise to provide students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with geology in exciting and impactful ways in the College of Science & Mathematics at Fresno State.
