U N I V E R S I T Y  O F  P I T T S B U R G H

Volume VIII, Number 2

A strong passion for geology and “a need for more field experience in our courses today” impelled Mark Evans, geology, to create his project, Development of a Regional Geologic Site Inventory for Use in Undergraduate Curriculum. The project will develop an extensive public inventory of geologic sites in the Greater Pittsburgh region, enabling students and faculty to conduct more field-based observations. By making the sites easily accessible, Evans hopes to eliminate some of the logistical difficulties often common in field-based education. The inventory will be placed on the Web for general accessibility, and some of the sites will even be accessible by public transportation, undoubtedly encouraging widespread use. An important feature to the project is that the inventory will be readily updateable and, therefore, always current.

This increased opportunity for fieldwork will enhance Pitt students’ academic experience because Evans believes that observation outside the classroom is crucial: “The science developed through the observation of geologic process. You must get out to see the rocks—to see how the earth is constructed.”

Moreover, Evans feels that this project will strengthen his teaching because the inventory will give him the means to better introduce students to the fundamentals of geology. He notes, “This will help me present fieldwork to students. You can’t just send them out without guidance and say, ‘Go look at the rocks and tell me all about them.’ Therefore, I’m transitioning them from a classroom environment to a field environment. Obviously, it’s going to be a learning experience for me as well.”
The project will also have a broader impact. “At the university level,” Evans explains, “it will spark students’ interest in geology that invariably wanes when students don’t get excited. In addition to engaging students, a good local field program will also enhance our general curriculum at Pitt.” Finally, the inventory will benefit other area schools, particularly the K-12 districts with which Evans works extensively.

Response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive. Evans enthusiastically notes, “The students are more than excited about it—they’re here for a good education. They want to get out into the field as much as possible because they realize this will give them the opportunity to build on their experiences.”

A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh

Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education
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