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Field Education

Much of geoscience education happens outside the classroom and EarthScope has a number of geophysics educational resources to support instructors and undergraduate students as they venture into the field.

Teaching Resources

GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues (GETSI)

As part of the GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues (GETSI) project, UNAVCO and community partners have developed curricular resources to aid in teaching field geodetic methods (see three examples below). Resources are appropriate for undergraduate and some graduate field courses.

Available field modules include:

Introducing Geophysics for Urban and Near-surface Applications (IGUaNA)

The urban and environmental geophysics modules developed by the IGUaNA project are designed with the goal of attracting and engaging students from underrepresented groups to try geophysics, and potentially to pursue a geophysics career. These modules aim to engage students in hands-on/minds-on learning of geophysics content and skills that can be directly related to issues of societal relevance that are important to the students.  Resources are appropriate for introductory-level undergraduate field courses.

Available teaching/field modules include:

Instrumentation

Geodetic Equipment

  • Teaching kits for GPS/GNSS surveying (typically 1 base, 4 rovers, related survey supplies)
  • SfM supplies (ground control points, 4.5-meter telescoping SfM pole, camera)

Geodesy equipment is currently available from the GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues (GETSI) Field project – more info available on the GETSI website.

Seismic Equipment

  • Multi-channel seismic systems (geodes, geophones, and takeout cables)
  • Field laptops

Seismic equipment is available from the EarthScope Primary Instrument Center (EPIC) with more info available on the EPIC website. If you would like to request instrumentation for an upcoming field class, the first step is to set up your account on the EPIC website. This helpful tutorial walks you through the instrument request process.

Other Geophysics Equipment

Costs

All geodetic, seismic, and GPR equipment are available for free to educational users. Shipping costs do apply, but waivers are available.

Electrical resistivity and gravimeter equipment must be rented, and shipping costs also apply.

If you have any questions on educational use of instrumentation please reach out to educationat symbolearthscope.org