Just Curious: Specialized Vehicles for Teaching in the Field?

Cross-posted from Geotripper...

I'm thinking of shooting the moon and applying for a grant to purchase a rolling laboratory for field trips, and I'm having a hard time choosing which way to go with this. It's pie-in-the-sky in all likelihood, but what would you do if you could design a vehicle to enhance teaching of earth science in the field?

I'm thinking of a utility vehicle or even a small van-sized RV that could handle fairly tough road conditions (gravel roads at least) that is outfitted with a satellite link and wi-fi router that could provide internet access in isolated campsites, as well as a printer and scanner. We've thought of the most rudimentary RV type of vehicle because a toilet and inside or outside shower can be a godsend in some circumstances (like when someone gets sick). Fridge and small stove maybe.

One very expensive option is a Jeep-based unit from a Colorado company that is an absolutely stripped RV (fridge, bath, shower and queen-sized bed...really!) that can go on literally any road. I like that the electricity is provided by the engine and a roof-mounted solar array. It gets reasonably good mileage, too. Made by special order. And very expensive. Did I say that already?


On the other hand, Roadtrek offers a complete (and very comfy, but you didn't read that) RV that is packed into a van chassis that is no longer or wider than an 8 passenger van. It has all the stuff already listed plus a lot more storage space. But I look at it and think, "wow, six students could work at once on projects on their computers and desk surfaces!" but I have this uncomfortable feeling that a grant evaluator would think "this professor wants a nice place to sleep" (not true, I like sleeping under the stars). This option is actually about $30,000 cheaper than the Jeep.
These might be over the top, so perhaps a truck with utility cabinets, camper shell and an electronic array under the seats in the cab? No place to work, no printers, etc., but a lot cheaper.

Does anyone have anything like this? Have you ever thought about it and what you could do with such a resource? I would love some feedback about the teaching possibilities of something like this. For those who are new to Geotripper, I teach geology at a community college, and usually deal with introductory-level geology students.

Far Western Section NAGT-CalESTA Joint Conference, Bishop California

A few pictures from our recent field conference in Bishop, California:
Convict Lake is dammed by a recessional moraine of the Tioga glaciation in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The mountain in the distance is composed of marble and slate of Paleozoic age; they are the rocks that existed prior to the intrusion of the Sierra Nevada batholith in Mesozoic time.

Mono Lake is a remnant of the ice age pluvial lakes that once extended across much of the Basin and Range Province. It was once a freshwater lake hundreds of feet deep, but today is saltier than seawater. It hosts only two life forms, fairy shrimp and brine flies, but these two species support several million migratory birds which pass through the region every year.

Violet-green Swallows live and nest in the tufa towers that are found around the lake. The tufa towers (below) are composed of calcium carbonate (calcite), and form where freshwater springs flowed into the lake. They were exposed as the lake level dropped 50 feet when Los Angeles started diverting streams that once replenished the lake in 1941. The diversions threatened to destroy the complex ecosystem, which is international in scope (some of the migratory birds travel 15,000 miles). Efforts are now ongoing to raise lake level to about where it was in 1963, roughly midway between the 1941 level and the low point in the 1980's.

More pictures can be accessed here. Do you have pictures of the trip? Send them along, and I'll post them!

Thanks to Wendy Van Nordon, Mark Boryta, and everyone who helped organize a great trip!

Dispatches from the Road: Far Western Section Conference in Bishop, California

A few preliminary views from the road at the joint NAGT/CalESTA field conference at Bishop California. One of our stops: the Mono Lake Tufa Towers. The tufa is made of calcium carbonate, and forms near freshwater springs in the intensely salty and alkaline lake.

The lake supports brine shrimp and brine flies which in turn provide sustenance for millions of migrating birds. The lake has been threatened by water diversions that caused to shrink to a shadow of its former size, but lawsuits and legal agreements are stabilizing lake levels.

The lake formed in a volcanic-tectonic depression, and active volcanoes are found in and near the lakeshore. The white island in the distance is formed by uplift of the lake sediments by volcanic intrusions.

Subaru/GSA Minority Scholarships Announced

From the Geological Society of America:

We are pleased to announce that Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with GSA, has funded a scholarship program to encourage minority undergraduate students to continue their studies in the geosciences.

The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program provides $1,000 to one student at an accredited university or college in each of the six North-American GSA regional Sections as nominated by the GSA Campus Representatives. The funds are to be used to purchase text books, pay college fees, or attend GSA field trips or conferences.

In addition to the cash award, a complimentary registration for this year’s GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado will be provided. The awardees will be acknowledged at a student awards reception on Monday, 1 November.

We are asking our Campus Reps to nominate one (1) minority student whom they believe will benefit and be encouraged to continue their studies in the geosciences by receiving this award.

Student Requirements for Nomination:

Be a U.S. citizen and a member of a minority group (a ‘minority’ is described by the U.S. Census Bureau as being of Hispanic or Latino, African-American or Black, Asian, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander ethnicity/race);

Has taken at least two (2) introductory (first year) geoscience courses;

Be enrolled in additional geoscience courses in the upcoming academic year; and

Be a GSA student member in good standing.

Campus Rep Responsibilities and Timeline

Verify with the student that he/she is a member of a minority group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Verify that the student has completed two introductory geoscience courses and is enrolled in geosciences classes for the upcoming academic year.

Complete and return the nomination form via email to awards@geosociety.org no later than 17 May 2010.

Nominations will be forwarded to the GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee for review by 1 June 2010.

All awards with be announced by 1 August 2010.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for your minority students, sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Diane Lorenz-Olsen
Grants, Awards, and Recognition
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO 80301
awards@geosociety.org
(303) 357-1028

Spring Conference, Far Western Section NAGT

NAGT-Far Western Section
In association with California Earth Science Teachers Association and NESTA
Spring Field Conference 2010

When: Friday, April 30- Sunday, May 2

Where: Bishop, CA

Join us for a rustic reprise of our 1998 in this beautiful and geologically inspiring locale, the Owens Valley and eastern Sierra Nevada.

Friday night, April 30th: Join us at Pleasant Valley Campground for an informal get-together! We will have a pot-luck dinner followed by the Business meeting.

Location: Via U.S. 395, 6 miles NW of Bishop. Turn north on Pleasant Valley Road. Less than 1 mile to campground. http://www.inyocountycamping.com/pleasant_valley_campground.html

PLEASE NOTE that the campground does NOT have grills or potable water available!! Pit Campground site is $2/vehicle per night; floodplain camping is $10/vehicle per night.
(For those of you who prefer soft beds and hot showers, there are plenty of lodging options in Bishop)

Saturday, May 1- Continental Breakfast and Make-Your-Own-Lunch will be provided. Full day field trips to be announced. We will carpool to decrease the size of the caravan.

Saturday night: choice of another pot-luck at the campsite or dinner in town. Speaker or stargazing after dinner!

Sunday, May 2: Continental Breakfast will be provided. Guided stops heading South.

Cost: $50 to include field guide, 2 Continental Breakfasts and 1 Lunch.

To apply, send the following with a check written to NAGT-FWS and mail to

Mark Boryta
2642 Saint Albans Drive
Los Alamitos, CA. 90720

For more information email: mboryta at mtsac.edu or call (562) 221-7246

Joint CalESTA and NAGT-FWS Field Trip: NSF Support Available

CalESTA and NAGT-FWS Field Trip
California Earth Science Teachers Association
In association with NAGT-FWS and NESTA

High School Teacher Geology Field Trip: Geology of the Owens Valley

When: Friday, April 30- Sunday, May 2

Where: Bishop, CA

Friday night, April 30th : Join us at Pleasant Valley Campground for an informal get-together. We will be part of the NAGT-FWS conference.

Location: Via U.S. 395, 6 miles NW of Bishop. Turn north on Pleasant Valley Road. 1 mile to campground. http://www.inyocountycamping.com/pleasant_valley_campground.html

(For those of you who prefer soft beds and hot showers, there are plenty of lodging options in Bishop)

Saturday, May 1- Full day field trip. We will carpool to decrease the size of the caravan. We will visit geologic sites from Bishop to Mono Lake, including glacial moraines, faults, gorges, volcanic features, hot springs and tufa towers. There will be opportunities for collecting and photography. Lunch will be provided.

Saturday night: choice of dinner in town or pot luck at campsite. Possible NAGT-FWS speaker at campsite

Sunday, May 2: Field trip travels South, stopping at Lone Pine Earthquake scarp, Alabama Hills, Owens Lake overview, Charcoal Kilns, Fossil Falls, and Red Rock Canyon. Lunch included. Field trip will conclude approximately 2:00 pm.

Cost: $50 to include field guide and 2 Lunches.

IMPORTANT: $100 stipend to Earth Science teachers of grades 9-12, courtesy of National Science Foundation. Limit: 25 teachers on a first come-first serve basis.

To apply, send the following with a check written to Harvard-Westlake School and mail to

Wendy Van Norden
Harvard-Westlake School
3700 Coldwater Canyon
No. Hollywood, CA. 91604

Please include your name, email address, phone number, school, and grades taught.

For more information email: wvannorden at hw.com or call (818) 487-6665 or 818 378-6048 (cell)

Geology Professor Opening at Northern Virginia Community College

It's out of the Far Western Section, but a full-time position for a community college geology professor is available at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. Information is available here.

Two part-time positions are available at community colleges in California, in the North Orange County and San Francisco Community College Districts. Check the CCC Registry for details.