The Appalachian Geo-STEM Camp: Learning about geology through experiential adventure recreation

Robert Burns; Mark W. Carter; John Brock; Jonas Leveque; Emily Bunse; Monica Palaseanu-Lovejoy; Gerald F. Guala; Nathan Harlan; Mitchel Blake; Jasmine Moreira; Jim Britton; Kenny Ashton; Barnes Nugent; Michael Marketti

The Appalachian Geo-STEM Camp: Learning about geology through experiential adventure recreation

Professional Geologist

By: Robert Burns, Mark W. Carter, John Brock, Jonas Leveque, Emily Bunse, Monica Palaseanu-Lovejoy, Gerald F. Guala, Nathan Harlan, Mitchel Blake, Jasmine Moreira, Jim Britton, Kenny Ashton, Barnes Nugent, and Michael Marketti

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Abstract

The inaugural Appalachian Geo-STEM Camp (AGC) was a partnership between West Virginia University (WVU), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (WVGES). Designed to engage high school students in geoscience-oriented Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities through adventure-based outdoor recreation, the inaugural AGC took place in June 2018, with its base operations at the WVU Natural Resources Center (NRC), located northeast of Morgantown, West Virginia. The goals of the AGC are to increase the knowledge of the teenaged campers about the geological formations and biodiversity in the region, to acquaint them with geologic mapping technology used by USGS, WVGES, and WVU, and to foster interest in STEM-based careers. Nine students participated, with a cadre from the USGS, WVGES, and WVU teaching lessons in local geology and ecology. Inaugural-year efforts were focused on development and logistics of the camp and what activities best complimented the STEM research. Post-evaluations by the participants were generally favorable. Year-two goals are to fully develop a curriculum, and conduct a thorough pre-camp and post-camp participant survey to quantify learning objectives and guide the sustainability of the effort.

Suggested Citation

Burns, R., Carter, M.W., Brock, J., Leveque, J., Bunse, E., Palaseanu-Lovejoy, M., Guala, G.F., Harlan, N., Blake, M., Moreira, J., Britton, J., Ashton, K., Nugent, B., Marketti, M., 2019, The Appalachian Geo-STEM Camp: Learning about geology through experiential adventure recreation: Professional Geologist, v. 56, p. 27-31.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	The Appalachian Geo-STEM Camp: Learning about geology through experiential adventure recreation
Series title	Professional Geologist
Volume	56
Year Published	2019
Language	English
Publisher	American Institute of Professional Geologists
Contributing office(s)	Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Description	5 p.
First page	27
Last page	31
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
City	Morgantown