2026 J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholars Reflect on Their Experiences: Part 2

Each year, the GSA J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship helps students take an important step in their geoscience education by supporting hands-on field experiences. From geologic mapping and structural interpretation to hydrology, economic geology, and applied geophysics, these experiences give students the opportunity to put classroom learning into practice while building confidence and connections along the way.

Over the next several months, we are featuring reflections from a few of our 2026 scholarship recipients. This month, Claire Loeffler, Hannah D. Baxter, Avery Littman, and Melina Karavousanos share where their field experiences took them, what they learned, and how scholarship support helped make those opportunities possible.

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Receiving the GSA J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship made it possible forme to attend Ohio State Field Camp in Utah. Field camp is one of the most important parts of ageology education and this scholarship allowed for the offset of tuition, travel, and field equipment, allowing me to focus on learning instead of worrying about the financial burden. I am grateful for the support because it gave me the opportunity to gain experience that will directly benefit my career in geology.

Ohio State Field Camp gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learned in theclassroom to real geologic problems in the field. During the program in Utah, I spent my days hiking to outcrops, identifying rocks, measuring geologic structures with a Brunton compass, collecting field data with GPS and GIS software, and creating geologic maps and cross sections. Every project required careful observation, critical thinking, and teamwork to interpret the geologic history of the areas we studied. Field camp also taught me to adapt to changing field conditions, make decisions with incomplete information, and improve my confidence in collecting and interpreting geologic data.

One of the most valuable parts of field camp was learning how to approach geologic mapping from start to finish. Rather than following a set of instructions, we were responsible for making observations, recognizing patterns, and developing interpretations based on field reconnaissance. It strengthened my understanding of structural geology, stratigraphy, and geologic mapping while reinforcing the importance of accuracy, organization, and attention todetail in the field.

The GSA J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship had an impact beyond helping with the financial cost of attending field camp. It allowed me to participate in an experience that strengthened both my technical skills and my confidence as a geologist. I left field camp with a much better understanding of what professional geologic fieldwork involves and with skills that I will carry into graduate school and my career.

Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi

Attending field camp in southwestern Montana was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my undergraduate education. Spending weeks mapping complex geology in the field strengthened not only my technical skills but also reinforced my passion for studying Earth's past, present, and future oceans and coastlines. Although geologic field camp focused on terrestrial geology, it gave me a deeper appreciation for the processes that shape Earth's surface and has motivated me to continue studying Earth’s oceans during my master's and PhD after I graduate this December.

Throughout the course, my Brunton compass became my constant companion. It's remarkable how such a small tool can reveal so much about the world around you. I learned firsthand how careful observations and simple measurements can be transformed into a visual representation of the geology, which allowed me to interpret the past deposition and deformation. It was a reminder that the best geologic insights often begin with careful work in the field.

This experience would not have been possible without the support of GSA, and I am incredibly grateful for their investment in students like me. I left field camp a more confident geologist, having gained experience in geologic mapping, structural interpretation, and field-based problem solving. It also greatly strengthened my interpersonal skills and allowed me to make many lifelong friends along the way.

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

This summer, I was given the opportunity to participate in two different geological fieldwork experiences, thanks greatly in part to the financial assistance provided by the GSA J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship. These nearly six weeks in the field were both academically and physically challenging; however, they also taught me many new skills, introduced me to an inspiring community of geoscientists, and further reinforced my passion for geology and geophysics.

First, I completed Miami University’s three-week field camp course in western Montana. Through this course, I strengthened my field mapping and geological interpretation skills through mapping projects in the Madison Range, the Elkhorn Mountains, and the Sawtooth Range.

I then had the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE) in New Mexico, studying the Valles Caldera and surrounding area. During SAGE, I gained hands-on experience collecting and interpreting geophysical data using methods including seismic, magnetotellurics (MT), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-domain/transient electromagnetics (TEM), and gravity. I will also have the opportunity to present some of the research that I contributed to during this program at the AGU annual meeting this winter.

Beyond the technical skills, I also found that one of the most rewarding parts of these experiences was working alongside and learning from outstanding faculty members, professionals, teaching assistants, and my fellow students. Not only did I expand my geological skill set, but I also discovered a variety of potential career paths and connected with people working in many different subfields of geology.

I used my Brunton transit compass hundreds of times in the field during these experiences. I am confident that I could measure a strike and dip in my sleep!

I am incredibly grateful to have received the GSA J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship to help fund these experiences. This scholarship gave me the opportunity to not only participate in these programs, but also be fully engaged in these intensive learning experiences by greatly reducing the financial pressure. I was able to devote all of my focus to developing the skills that will be critical for my future career and was able to take full advantage of what these programs had to offer.

I am deeply appreciative of the financial support and the Brunton transit compass provided by this scholarship and I am excited to apply the new skills I’ve learned during these programs to future research projects, professional opportunities, and my future career!

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico

I was immensely grateful to receive the David J. Lowell Scholarship to offset my field camp expenses this summer. Over the six weeks of our field camp, our instructors dedicated their time to show us many field techniques and develop our skills as young geologists. The first two weeks were dedicated to mineral deposits with Dr. Alex Gysi and Dr. Nicole Hurtig, where we spent nine days trekking and mapping the Lemitar Mountains near Lemitar, New Mexico. This mapping project allowed us to enhance not only our mineral identification skills, knowledge of hydrothermal deposits, and mapping skills, but also our endurance! Oh my gosh, it was so hot on that mountain. My favorite part of this section, though, was a short camping trip we took to Silver City, New Mexico. We were able to visit Chino Mine and the Gila Wilderness to see some amazing deposits and get an inside look at economic geology. The following two weeks were dedicated to hydrology; our instructor, Dr. Mark Person, showed us new techniques almost every day about well monitoring, water chemistry, and aquifer mapping. We spent most of our time at the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where well water is essential to protecting the ecosystem and providing a food source to the cranes, geese, and ducks that winter there. This part of field camp was the most relaxing (aside from when we lost the truck keys!). Our final two weeks were dedicated to structural geology where we mapped a short section of North Crestone Creek in Crestone, Colorado, with Dr. Veronica Prush. We also spent part of our time in Crestone mapping a paleoseismic trench dug by Dr. James McCalpine, who imparted on us his vast wisdom in structural geology and geological hazards. The scenery in Crestone and the San Luis Valley was incredible and made doing the work a lot easier. Throughout the six weeks of field camp, I feel that I learned and applied new skills that make me a stronger geologist and grew connections and made memories with my peers and instructors that will last a lifetime. Thank you again GSA and New Mexico Tech for making my field camp experience unforgettable! Can’t wait to start graduate school in August.