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Field Camp by the Glow of a Laptop?

Field camp is a critical component for students pursuing geosci- Quentin Burgess, a student at the
ence. However, many hoping to complete this requirement had University of Nevada, Reno, told us,
their plans derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were “In the face of adversity, my department
faced with the difficult choice of postponing or venturing into the devised a memorable field experience
unknown and attending field camp by the glow of a laptop rather that challenged the traditional approach;
than a campfire. To help navigate this unprecedented decision, instead of going into the field, the field
recipients of GSA’s 2020 J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarships was brought to us. Even though we were
were given the option to defer their awards or use them to attend a behind a screen, each day ran like a
virtual field camp. We spoke with two of the students who chose normal field camp; in the morning we
the virtual option, and they shared the difficulties and rewards of discussed regional geology and goals of
their experiences. the day, and by the afternoon we were
Priscilla Martinez attended California drafting our geologic maps and cross
State University, Fullerton’s, first-ever Quentin Burgess sections. At the day’s end, we huddled
virtual field camp course. She shared, around the glow of our monitors like the glow of a campfire, com-
“These four weeks of rigorous training paring notes on assumptions, postulating subsurface structures,
have prepared me to work effectively to and creating plans for meet-ups once the world returns to normal.
solve geologic problems, both collabora- Overall, this virtual experience taught me the ability to better
tively and independently. I learned how to communicate with individuals that are not in the same room, it
design a field strategy and collect data pushed my critical thinking skills in geology since I could not
using satellite imagery, aerial photogra- physically stand atop an outcrop, and most importantly showed
Priscilla Martinez
phy, three-point problems, and unit me a new way to study the earth without ever leaving home.”
descriptions. Using the data collected from each site, I produced
geologic maps, cross sections, and stratigraphic columns to better The next generation of geoscientists is resilient. As the world
understand the depositional and regional tectonic history of the continues to shift and change, with our support, they are ready to
field sites. Above all, participating in field camp enabled me to shift and change with it. We realize these are uncertain times for
grow more confident in my ability to map geologic features and many, and yet we hope to help students continue navigating
present my findings in an articulate manner. Although I did not through their career paths during this time. Will you make a gift
experience the long days hiking in the field nor did I get to bond to the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Program (https://
with my classmates over a bonfire, I gained invaluable knowledge gsa-foundation.org/fund/field-camp-opportunities/)? Your
and skills that will allow me to excel in a new technologically support will help students like Priscilla and Quentin attend field
driven era of the geoscience world. I also now feel equipped and camp to gain the skills and knowledge to pursue geoscience in a
excited to begin my master’s program at California State changing world.
University, Northridge.”

www.gsa-foundation.org

30 GSA Today | November 2020