Developing an Engineering Geology Field Trip to Enhance Student Learning: A Case Study

摘要

Geotechnical engineering faculty at Drexel University and Villanova University collaborated with local geologists to develop a field trip for their engineering geology courses. The intention of the courses is to have students understand how geology relates to their other courses and careers as engineers. The field trip focused on the core elements of the courses: the importance of rock type on engineering properties, the effects of plate tectonics and weathering on rocks, and the interaction of humans with the lithosphere and hydrosphere. The team selected Wissahickon Valley Park as the location for the field trip because it provides a major stream ecosystem in a geologically diverse setting that has been highly impacted by development of the surrounding city of Philadelphia. The engineering aspects bring novelty into an established practice of classical geology field trips. Based on survey data from the first offering, the students indicated the trip improved their learning experience, reinforced basic geology concepts, and increased their understanding of the relevance of geology to civil, architectural, and environmental engineering.