Articles | Volume 7, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-17-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-17-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
30 Jan 2024
Research article |
| 30 Jan 2024
| 30 Jan 2024
The Rock Garden: a preliminary assessment of how campus-based field skills training impacts student confidence in real-world fieldwork
Thomas W. Wong Hearing
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geology, Campus Sterre (building S8), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
Stijn Dewaele
Department of Geology, Campus Sterre (building S8), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Stijn Albers
Department of Geology, Campus Sterre (building S8), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Julie De Weirdt
Department of Geology, Campus Sterre (building S8), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Department of Geology, Campus Sterre (building S8), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Related authors
Thomas W. Wong Hearing, Alexandre Pohl, Thomas M. Vandyk, Benjamin H. Tindal, Frédéric Fluteau, Alexander G. Liu, Thomas H. P. Harvey, and Mark Williams
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3617, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3617, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Climate of the Past (CP).
Short summary
Short summary
Earth's climate switches between icehouse and greenhouse states, with and without polar ice sheets, but from 740 to 635 million years ago Earth may have been in a 'snowball' glaciation. We looked at the rock record of the Ediacaran Period, just after this time, which has the first records of complex animal fossils. By combining geological data with climate and ice sheet computer models we show that the Ediacaran climate state was like recent ‘normal’ icehouse states, not a 'snowball' condition.
Thomas W. Wong Hearing, Alexandre Pohl, Thomas M. Vandyk, Benjamin H. Tindal, Frédéric Fluteau, Alexander G. Liu, Thomas H. P. Harvey, and Mark Williams
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3617, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3617, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Climate of the Past (CP).
Short summary
Short summary
Earth's climate switches between icehouse and greenhouse states, with and without polar ice sheets, but from 740 to 635 million years ago Earth may have been in a 'snowball' glaciation. We looked at the rock record of the Ediacaran Period, just after this time, which has the first records of complex animal fossils. By combining geological data with climate and ice sheet computer models we show that the Ediacaran climate state was like recent ‘normal’ icehouse states, not a 'snowball' condition.
Morgan Vervoort, Katleen Wils, Kris Vanneste, Roberto Urrutia, Mario Pino, Catherine Kissel, Marc De Batist, and Maarten Van Daele
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 3401–3421, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-3401-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-3401-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study identifies a prehistoric earthquake around 4400 years ago near the city of Coyhaique (Aysén Region, Chilean Patagonia) and illustrates the potential seismic hazard in the region. We found deposits in lakes and a fjord that can be related to subaquatic and onshore landslides, all with a similar age, indicating that they were most likely caused by an earthquake. Through modeling we found that this was an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 to 7.0 on a fault near the city of Coyhaique.
Ana Fonseca, Simon Nachtergaele, Amed Bonilla, Stijn Dewaele, and Johan De Grave
Solid Earth, 15, 329–352, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-329-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-329-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores the erosion and exhumation processes and history of early continental crust hidden within the Amazonian Rainforest. This crust forms part of the Amazonian Craton, an ancient continental fragment. Our surprising findings reveal the area underwent rapid early Cretaceous exhumation triggered by tectonic forces. This discovery challenges the traditional perception that cratons are stable and long-lived entities and shows they can deform readily under specific geological contexts.
Cited articles
Abeyta, A., Fernandes, A. M., Mahon, R. C., and Swanson, T. E.: The True Cost of Field Education is a Barrier to Diversifying Geosciences, EarthArXiv [preprint], https://doi.org/10.31223/X5BG70, 2021.
Anadu, J., Ali, H., and Jackson, C.: Ten Steps to Protect BIPOC Scholars in the Field, Eos, 101, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EO150525, 2020.
Appalachian State University: Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Lab and Rock Garden, https://earth.appstate.edu/facilities/rock-garden, last access: 1 October 2021.
Atchison, C. L. and Libarkin, J. C.: Professionally held perceptions about the accessibility of the geosciences, Geosphere, 12, 1154–1165, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES01264.1, 2016.
Baily, C.: How Our Garden Grows: The William & Mary Geology Rock Garden, https://wmblogs.wm.edu/cmbail/garden-grows-william-mary-geology-rock-garden/ (last access: 19 January 2024), 2017.
Benison, K. C.: Artificial Outcrops Give Real Experience in Interpreting a Geologic History: The CMUland Group Project for Historical Geology Courses, Journal of Geoscience Education, 53, 501–507, https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-53.5.501, 2005.
Bond, C. E. and Cawood, A. J.: A role for virtual outcrop models in blended learning – improved 3D thinking and positive perceptions of learning, Geosci. Commun., 4, 233–244, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-233-2021, 2021.
Boyle, A., Maguire, S., Martin, A., Milsom, C., Nash, R., Rawlinson, S., Turner, A., Wurthmann, S., and Conchie, S.: Fieldwork is Good: the Student Perception and the Affective Domain, J. Geogr. Higher Educ., 31, 299–317, https://doi.org/10.1080/03098260601063628, 2007.
Butler, R.: Teaching Geoscience through Fieldwork, Higher Education Academy, 56 pp., ISBN 18410214588, 2008.
Calderone, G. J., Thompson, J. R., Johnson, W. M., Kadel, S. D., Nelson, P. J., Hall-Wallace, M., and Butler, R. F.: GeoScape: An Instructional Rock Garden for Inquiry-Based Cooperative Learning Exercises in Introductory Geology Courses, Journal of Geoscience Education, 51, 171–176, https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-51.2.171, 2003.
Chiarella, D. and Vurro, G.: Fieldwork and disability: an overview for an inclusive experience, Geol. Mag., 157, 1933–1938, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756820000928, 2020.
Cox, R., Hope, J., Jenkins, K., and Ray, C.: Care and the academy: Navigating fieldwork, funding and care responsibilities, Area, in press, https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12909, 2024.
Curry, G., Dempster, T., and Persano, C.: Rock Around the University – transplanted rock exposures for on-campus geoscience field skills training , EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-3746, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-3746, 2020.
Demery, A.-J. C. and Pipkin, M. A.: Safe fieldwork strategies for at-risk individuals, their supervisors and institutions, Nat. Ecol. Evol., 5, 5–9, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01328-5, 2021.
Dempster, T.: Rock Around the University, https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/ges/community/rockaround/ (last access: 19 January 2024), 2012.
Dillon, D. L., Hicock, S. R., Secco, R. A., and Tsujita, C. J.: A Geologic Rock Garden as an Artificial Mapping Area for Teaching and Outreach, Journal of Geoscience Education, 48, 24–29, https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-48.1.24, 2000.
Elmi, C., Simal, A. G., and Winchester, G. P.: Developing a Rock Garden at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Harrisonburg VA (U.S.A.) as a Resource for Promoting Geotourism, Geosciences, 10, 415, https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10100415, 2020.
Ghent University: Biodiversiteitspad op Campus Sterre, https://www.ugent.be/we/nl/diensten/biodiversiteit/overzicht.htm, last access: 4 October 2021.
Giles, S., Jackson, C., and Stephen, N.: Barriers to fieldwork in undergraduate geoscience degrees, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1, 77–78, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0022-5, 2020.
Górska-Zabielska, M.: The Rock Garden of the Institute of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University – A New Geo-Site in Kielce, Central Poland, Geosciences, 11, 113, https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11030113, 2021.
Greene, S. E., Antell, G. S., Atterby, J., Bhatia, R., Dunne, E. M., Giles, S., Groh, S. S., Hanson, E. M., Hilton, J., Knight, H., Kraftl, P., Morgan, E., Rhodes, I., Rockey, F. G. T., Singh, S., Stevenson, C. T., Sun, S., Warren, B. A., Wheeley, J. R., and Yamoah, K. A.: Safety and Belonging in the Field: A Checklist for Educators, EarthArXiv [preprint], https://doi.org/10.31223/X53P6H, 2021.
Gregory, D. D., Tomes, H. E., Panasiuk, S. L., and Andersen, A. J.: Building an online field course using digital and physical tools including VR field sites and virtual core logging, Journal of Geoscience Education, 70, 85–100, https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2021.1946361, 2022.
Jacobs Wilke, A.: SUNY Potsdam Installs New Geoscience Garden, https://www.potsdam.edu/news/suny-potsdam-installs-new-geoscience-garden, last access: 1 October 2021.
Klyce, A. and Ryker, K.: What does a degree in geology actually mean? A systematic evaluation of courses required to earn a bachelor of science in geology in the United States, Journal of Geoscience Education, 71, 3–19, https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2022.2076201, 2022.
Krathwhol, D. R., Bloom, B. S., and Masia, B. B.: Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook II: Affective Domain, Longman, London, ISBN 0582323878, 1965.
Lawrence, A. and Dowey, N.: Six simple steps towards making GEES fieldwork more accessible and inclusive, Area, 54, 52–59, https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12747, 2022.
Lundmark, A. M., Augland, L. E., and Jørgensen, S. V.: Digital fieldwork with Fieldmove – how do digital tools influence geoscience students' learning experience in the field?, J. Geogr. Higher Educ., 44, 427–440, https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2020.1712685, 2020.
Mackay, A. W. and Bishop, I. J.: Out in the field, Area, 54, 546–550, https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12823, 2022.
Markley, C. T., Miller, H., Kneeshaw, T., and Herbert, B. E.: The Relationship Between Instructors' Conceptions of Geoscience Learning and Classroom Practice at a Research University, Journal of Geoscience Education, 57, 264–274, https://doi.org/10.5408/1.3544276, 2009.
Matty, D. J.: Campus Landscaping By Constructing Mock Geologic Outcrops, Journal of Geoscience Education, 54, 445–451, https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-54.4.445, 2006.
McConnell, D. A. and van Der Hoeven Kraft, K. J.: Affective Domain and Student Learning in the Geosciences, Journal of Geoscience Education, 59, 106–110, https://doi.org/10.5408/1.3604828, 2011.
Mogk, D. W. and Goodwin, C.: Learning in the field: Synthesis of research on thinking and learning in the geosciences, in: Earth and Mind II: A synthesis of research on thinking and learning in the geosciences, edited by: Kastens, K. A. and Manduca, C. A., Special Paper of the Geological Society of America, 486, 131–163, https://doi.org/10.1130/2012.2486(24), 2012.
Moliner, L. and Mampel, L.: The Rock Garden “Geologist Juan Paricio” (Alcorisa, Maestrazgo Geopark, Spain): An Effective Example of Geosciences Popularization, Geoheritage, 11, 1869–1878, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00398-7, 2019.
Monash University: Monash Earth Sciences Garden, https://www.monash.edu/science/schools/earth-atmosphere-environment/facilities/garden, last access: 1 October 2021.
Ontario Trails: RockWalk Park Trail, http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/rockwalk-park-trail, last access: 1 October 2021.
Peace, A. L., Gabriel, J. J., and Eyles, C.: Geoscience Fieldwork in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Development of a Virtual Geological Field Trip to Whitefish Falls, Ontario, Canada, Geosciences, 11, 489, https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11120489, 2021.
Pedley, K.: Creating an Earth science garden for teaching, in: Abstract Volume: Geosciences 2018, , Napier, New Zealand, Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication 151A, edited by: Sagar, M. and Prebblem J. 215 pp., https://gsnz.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Shop/Products/GSNZ_annual_conference/MP151_2018_Napier/MP151A-181126-Geosciences_2018_Abstract_Volume.pdf (last access: 22 January 2024), 2018.
Rader, E., Love, R., Reano, D., Dousay, T. A., and Wingerter, N.: Pandemic Minecrafting: an analysis of the perceptions of and lessons learned from a gamified virtual geology field camp, Geosci. Commun., 4, 475–492, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-475-2021, 2021.
R Core Team: R: A Languange and Environment for Statistical Computing, https://www.R-project.org/ (last access: 22 January 2024), 2021.
Senger, K., Betlem, P., Grundvåg, S.-A., Horota, R. K., Buckley, S. J., Smyrak-Sikora, A., Jochmann, M. M., Birchall, T., Janocha, J., Ogata, K., Kuckero, L., Johannessen, R. M., Lecomte, I., Cohen, S. M., and Olaussen, S.: Teaching with digital geology in the high Arctic: opportunities and challenges, Geosci. Commun., 4, 399–420, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-399-2021, 2021.
Stokes, A. and Boyle, A. P.: The undergraduate geoscience fieldwork experience: Influencing factors and implications for learning, in: Field Geology Education: Historical Perspectives and Modern Approaches, vol. 461, edited by: Whitmeyer, S. J., Mogk, D. W., and Pyle, E. J., Geological Society of America, https://doi.org/10.1130/2009.2461(23), 2009.
Stokes, A., Feig, A. D., Atchison, C. L., and Gilley, B.: Making geoscience fieldwork inclusive and accessible for students with disabilities, Geosphere, 15, 1809–1825, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02006.1, 2019.
Streule, M. J. and Craig, L. E.: Social Learning Theories–An Important Design Consideration for Geoscience Fieldwork, Journal of Geoscience Education, 64, 101–107, https://doi.org/10.5408/15-119.1, 2016.
Tucker, F. and Horton, J.: “The show must go on!” Fieldwork, mental health and wellbeing in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Area, 51, 84–93, https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12437, 2019.
Tucker, F., Waite, C., and Horton, J.: Not just muddy and not always gleeful? Thinking about the physicality of fieldwork, mental health, and marginality, Area, 54, 563–568, https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12836, 2022.
University College Cork: Geology Garden, https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/outreach/geogarden/, last access: 1 October 2021.
University of California, Davis: The California Rock Garden, https://eps.ucdavis.edu/about/garden, last access: 1 October 2021.
University of Waterloo: Peter Russell Rock Garden, https://uwaterloo.ca/peter-russell-rock-garden/home, last access: 1 October 2021.
Waldron, J. W. F., Locock, A. J., and Pujadas-Botey, A.: Building an Outdoor Classroom for Field Geology: The Geoscience Garden, Journal of Geoscience Education, 64, 215–230, https://doi.org/10.5408/15-133.1, 2016.
Whitmeyer, S. J. and Dordevic, M.: Creating virtual geologic mapping exercises in a changing world, Geosphere, 17, 226–243, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02308.1, 2020.
Whitmeyer, S. J., Mogk, D. W., and Pyle, E. J.: An introduction to historical perspectives on and modern approaches to field geology education, Geological Society of America Special Paper, 461, vii–ix, https://doi.org/10.1130/2009.2461(00), 2009.
Wiggen, J. and McDonnell, D.: Geoscience videos and their role in supporting student learning, Journal of College Science Teaching, 46, 44–50, 2017.
Short summary
Field skills training is an integral part of geoscience education, but long field courses away from home can be barriers to accessing that education and mean that students do not get regular field skills practice. We built the Rock Garden, an on-campus field course at Ghent University, Belgium, to make our field skills training more accessible. Here, we present preliminary data that suggest on-campus field skills training provision can increase students' confidence during real-world fieldwork.
Field skills training is an integral part of geoscience education, but long field courses away...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint