Where did you attend field camp?

I attended The University of Akron field camp, which went to South Dakota and Wyoming.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

The J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship expanded the opportunities available to me. I was able to experience field camp without worrying about the financial burden. This scholarship enabled me to broaden my horizons both literally, and also academically.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Field camp allowed me to push myself to be a better student both in lectures and in the field. Becoming efficient at using a Brunton compass, identifying important rock units at a field site, and locating myself on a map are important skills that I will remember for the rest of my life. Likewise, I especially loved seeing deformed rocks up close and in person—the folded and faulted rocks reinforced my passion for structural geology! Undoubtedly, my field camp experience made me a better geologist and person—and allowed me to be curious about the geology of new places. Field camp also allowed me to push my own boundaries both physically and academically to understand the geological structures I saw in the field.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

By attending field camp, I was able to see geologic regions of the U.S. that I otherwise would not have seen. Likewise, the depth at which I was able to test my map, Brunton, and overall geologic skills was a unique experience that students typically only receive at field camp.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Field camp is crucial for geoscience students. I thoroughly enjoyed my field camp experience and look back fondly on the fun memories I made. It challenged me in ways that traditional classroom learning had not. Field camp enabled me to see, map, and think about geologic structures and their histories in a depth beyond that achieved in a classroom.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp opportunities broaden students’ horizons in a variety of ways and positively impact their growth as young geoscientists. By getting into the field and putting the skills learned in traditional classrooms to test, students are able to understand the concepts better and grow academically and personally.

Where did you attend field camp?

Western Colorado University.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship meant I was able to dedicate more time to my education prior to field camp rather than working to pay tuition. Not having that financial obligation really allowed me to immerse myself in field camp. I was able to focus on the course instead of stressing about how I would pay for the cost of camp.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

This experience taught me a lot about what fieldwork really entails and how my classroom education connects to the real world. It strengthened my understanding of geology, field skills, and most importantly, the confidence I have in myself as a geologist.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Through field camp, I was able to get a deeper geologic understanding of field areas I have been to before briefly in class and explore new areas around my college town.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

In my opinion, field camp is crucial for geoscience students because it really does take everything you learn about during a lecture in class and connects them all. It gives students the opportunity to experience real fieldwork you would perform in a career, therefore giving students an idea of potential paths to take after graduation. Being out in the field mapping, recording data, and identifying rocks strengthens basic skills needed to be successful in the geoscience world.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Individuals should support field camp opportunities for students because it is a very transformative experience for all geoscience students. It prepares students for the next step after graduation. Field camp offers a type of education that cannot be taught in a classroom. I am thankful for the support I received to attend field camp, because it sparked a new level of love for geoscience and inspired me to further my educational opportunities post-graduation.

Where did you attend field camp?

This summer, I attended a field camp course with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) entitled “Depositional Systems of Western California.” The course focused on the nature of submarine sedimentary deposits, with particular emphasis on submarine canyon formation. We spent the first week at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where we were tasked with mapping and examining the stratigraphic cyclicity of sedimentary units, structures, and bedforms in the Paleocene Carmelo Formation. Two competing hypotheses have been used to model the conditions of deposition within this formation. The first suggests a prolonged period of mass transport leading to repeated layers of sandstone, mudstone, and shale. The second claims a shorter time frame of deposition and proposes that thrust faulting within the formation is leading to an overestimation of total formation thickness. Using our maps and observations, we took the time to put forth our own models that either critiqued or reinforced the two provided hypotheses. This approach to studying sedimentary stratigraphy required that we create a small research project and proposal from start to finish—a practice rarely implemented in classroom settings.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

When I applied for a field camp, I had just taken a job as a technician in a university research lab. As a recent college graduate, taking time from work for a $3,000 field course was a daunting endeavor. I had just started learning to manage my finances and live independently, all the while still hoping to get the field camp experience I never had in undergraduate due to COVID. The J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship relieved so much of this burden by providing me with funding to pay for a majority of the camp tuition fees. Moreover, I received a free Brunton compass, a very versatile (and expensive!) tool that was required for my field course. I felt very supported by the GSA Foundation and am so grateful for all that they contributed to my invaluable field camp experience.

What did that experience teach you about geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Like many geologists in my year, courses like sedimentary stratigraphy were only offered virtually. In this field camp, I got to explore shallow and deep marine stratigraphy in extensive detail and learn about all the nuances that exist in this unique field of study. Moreover, my professor’s background was in the oil industry, and we had the chance to learn about the fascinating connections between these marine deposits and the energy source that we all, often obliviously, thrive on. I attended a research university for undergrad where geoscience career paths in the private sector were rarely discussed. With this program, however, I had a chance to learn from someone with direct knowledge on the nature of industry-based geology careers and get advice on navigating job opportunities in both the private and public sectors. At the end of the course, our professor even took us on a tour of his alma mater, Stanford, to see their Earth Science building where we got to meet his old advisor. We gained insight into the graduate school process and learned about all the amazing research opportunities that lie ahead of us as geoscientists. These connections and lessons were invaluable, and I plan to take them into account during my own graduate school application process this coming fall.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

As a geophysics major during COVID, I had minimal opportunities to explore field geology in a guided, hands-on setting. More crucially, I was never able to become deeply engaged with my courses by discussing, questioning, and brainstorming ideas with my peers and professors. At my summer field camp with SDSMT, I gained access to all these benefits and more. The course was rigorous and emphasized not just proper field geology technique, but proper work ethic and organizational skills, which I consider to be just as valuable. As a California resident, I had the chance to meet students from across the United States. When we weren’t having late-night study sessions or debates about map interpretations, we were teaching each other about the geology and culture of our hometowns and regions. Even car rides to field sites were spent taking in words of wisdom from our incredible professor, a leading expert in his field of deep marine sedimentary systems. Months later, I still keep in touch with both the students and the professor from the course to talk about memories, send photos of rocks, and share news about upcoming professional development opportunities!

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Upon graduating from college, I did not immediately intend to enroll in a summer field course at another institution. However, shortly after, I came across a quote by British geologist Herbert Harold Read, which said, “The best geologist is [the one] who has seen the most rocks.” I believe this line perfectly exemplifies the role that field camp plays for undergraduate geology students. It is the crux of our education as aspiring geoscientists. This is especially true for the many students who suffered through virtual education during the peak(s) of the pandemic. Semesters of online petrology, mineralogy, and field geology can only teach so much compared to in-person, on-the-ground observation. Field camp allows students to directly interact with their planet and observe the incredible phenomena that shape the ground under our feet. I recommend it to any student who is pursuing work in, or related to, geosciences.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

In addition to new limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic, greater awareness is being shed on the fact that traditional field camps appeal primarily to those with the economic and physical privileges that are not available to all students. Funding and scholarship opportunities, like the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship, are the essential first steps to creating a geoscience workforce that is integrated and diverse. Considering the role that field camp played for my own graduate and future professional career, it is of the utmost importance that such programs are equal access.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended field camp through Utah State University, combined with Weber State University. Our course took us to some pretty incredible places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise, near Moab, Utah; Utah’s west desert; southern Idaho; and other local areas.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship helped to ease some of the financial burden of having to take six weeks off work to attend camp. As a non-traditional student with a family, this helped tremendously! I am very grateful to have been the recipient of this award.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Field camp was a great experience for me! I learned so much about interpreting surficial and fault-related features, as well as mapping bedrock, faults, geomorphological features, and geological hazards. During the course, I learned that I love making maps and have a greater appreciation for geological mappers.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

During my field course, I learned from professionals in the field, obtaining experience I would not have gotten otherwise. Having the professors in the field helped me learn better ways of interpreting my geological surroundings. Working in pairs with other students allowed us to share our strengths and build on our individual weaknesses.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

The experiences gained at field camp are not easily gained in the classroom. You have to get out into the field and see the formations and features firsthand. A photograph or video cannot give you the same data you would gather sitting on an outcrop. Learning to take structural data and putting it into context with the outcrop really helps you understand the bigger picture.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp is costly and because of the time commitment involved, it is not possible to maintain a job during the course. Summer tuition assistance is also harder to obtain because you are unable to take other classes during this time, limiting the credit hours. For many students, receiving a scholarship could mean the ability to attend the course where they otherwise would not be able to.

Where did you attend field camp? 

I attended field camp through the University of Utah, in and around Salt Lake City, Utah.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

The generous J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship allowed me to focus on completing field camp instead of splitting my time and attention between field camp and work. Without this scholarship, I would have been unable to be so invested in my field camp, and my learning experience would have taken a backseat to monetary concerns.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

The University of Utah field camp hosts a variety of different geoscience students. My degree and my emphasis have focused specifically on mineralogy and paleontology, and due to that I often lacked a perspective other geoscience students had. Field camp taught me about several career paths I had never considered. Due to the work we did at field camp, I am now looking for a way to work in both paleontology and limestone caverns. I was surprised by just how much I found myself enamored with spending time within the crust of the Earth and I want to find a way to continue to experience that joy.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

We also had some mining engineering students in field camp and due to that, we did an exercise on evaluating the feasibility of placing a tunnel for a water pipe in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. I had no previous experience with geologic engineering, but I found the problem both instructive and fascinating. I had never given much thought to all the logistics involved in creating tunnels or mines. All I knew was that if you got enough explosives, eventually the rock would give way. Delving into the complexities of a field I didn’t understand was exhilarating as was listening to the deep passion the mining engineers had for their work.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think that field camp is extremely important for geoscience students. It pushed and expanded my horizons, opening interests I had never seen. Since it forces students of so many disciplines into proximity, it also allowed us to make connections across our fields. Being pushed into things I did not know was often uncomfortable, but I am so glad to have had the experience.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

At my university, field camp is required to receive a degree. However, many students delay it because of its considerable financial burden. College in general is expensive, but field camps are often structured in such a way that makes it near impossible to work during them. Worrying about financial concerns negatively impacts students’ performance in field camp. If I had been focused on the financial aspect of field camp, I would not have been so open to the new experiences I was privileged to have. Indeed, I may have even been upset about deviating from things I knew. Supporting field camp opportunities for students ensures that future geoscientists can work across disciplines. Science can no longer be done in a vacuum; it must be collaborative, and field camp is one of the first experiences many geoscience students have with collaboration.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended the Indiana University (IU) field camp in the Tobacco Root Mountains in southwest Montana. We also made field trips to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

I could not have afforded this opportunity without the support of the J. David Lowell scholarship. My school does not offer a field camp course, and as a non-IU student the course cost was substantial. As an added personal bonus, getting the J. David Lowell scholarship was a nice recognition of the hard work I’ve put into my studies prior to going to field camp.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

I can’t say enough about this, but the main takeaway for me was that a career in the geosciences was the right choice for me. I enjoyed every day, even the tough ones spent mapping in the rain or summer heat. Everything I got to do was interesting and set against the beautiful backdrop of the Montana mountains. I love how geology is a pragmatic combination of chemistry, physics, and history.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Field camp allowed me to see and study rock units and structures that do not exist where I live or will likely work (central North Carolina). The variations in terrain, unit facies, and fossil assemblages were awesome to work with and try to map accurately. Mapping is also something I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to do at my school (especially not at this scale), and I’m glad I got the opportunity. It’s a skill that I am glad I can say that I have going forward.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think field camp was the best course I’ve taken in my geologic studies. I learned as much, if not more, during those six weeks than I have the rest of the time. Labs that accompanied my other courses were helpful and informative, but very limited. I can’t say enough about how just the repetition of field camp helped, whether it was taking strikes and dips or identifying minerals and rock units in the field. At every outcrop I walked up to there was a chance that I was the first person to ever crack it open and look at it with a hand lens. Six weeks of learning and practicing those field skills was far more helpful than three hours once a week in a lab. Field camp also drove home for me the sheer scale of geology. It’s one thing to look at a fold on a map, but something entirely different to stand on top of a mountain and be able to see it with your eyes.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

I could not have afforded field camp without the J. David Lowell scholarship. The experience was transformative for me, and I hope to be able to support others that come behind me in the same way. Field camp was by far one of the most important things I’ve done in my quest to become a competent geologist.

Where did you attend field camp?

I participated in the Juneau Icefield Research Program in Juneau, Alaska.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

My receipt of this scholarship was recognition for all of the work that I put into school over the past five years. It gave me the opportunity to actually apply what I learned in college by being in the field for a few months and working with professors and other scientists on interesting geologic problems.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

I learned a lot about glaciology, geomorphology, climatology, and polar science. I also learned about what is required to live and work in polar regions as a scientist. It was not always easy, but I loved being there for the whole summer. It helped me determine what I actually wanted to do as a polar scientist by exposing me to a number of different topics, including some that I didn’t know I might be interested in. Also, this model of field camp was helpful for me as a recent graduate as I am thinking about my next steps in life, and it helped me determine what that might be moving forward.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Field camp helped me develop a large network of scientists with similar interests to my own who I will likely work with again in the future and will be a part of my professional network for my whole life. This network has already helped me as I start to think about graduate school. It also gave me the opportunity to get involved in more research and work on my science communication skills; for example, I was an author on an AGU poster for this fall, which was not something I expected to come out of participating in this field camp.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think that every student who wants to attend field camp should be given the opportunity to do so. It is a great life-changing experience that provided me with a number of resources and opportunities that I would not have normally had. Most importantly, I made a lot of friends which makes me feel more included in the geoscience community.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp is expensive—you have to pay for the program, travel, and equipment among other odds and ends. It adds up. In addition, due to the rigors of academic study, students are often not able to work or make money while they are in school, making these costs more of a burden. But given how important of an opportunity it is for students, . This is why I think that anyone who is able should support field camp costs.

Where did you attend field camp?

Turkey. It was run through South Dakota School of Mines.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

It meant that I did not have to take out any more student loans in order to finish my degree and graduate. I already have student loans that I have taken out for my education, and field camp is really expensive; if I hadn’t had the support, I would have had to take even more loans out. The support eased my financial burden and let me be able to enjoy the course without worrying about finances.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

It really helped bring everything I had learned in my classes altogether. It was amazing to be able to see things I had only ever seen in a textbook in real life. It showed me how much goes into being a geologist—and what it takes to be a field geologist. It helped me confirm what I did and did not like about geology—and that helped me feel more confident about my future plans. I learned that I don’t like the heat that much, but I am really good at identifying slickenlines and finding fossils. I learned that I can be a leader, and am good at contributing to a group. It helped me realize the things that I love about geology and am excited to continue studying for my career—earthquake hazards.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Meeting new people from different universities and making new friends. Traveling to a new place. Experiencing a new culture and enjoying the foods, activities, and people of this area. I was able to see amazing geological formations caused by the North Anatolian fault and see things I had only seen in textbooks in real-life. This camp was the best part of my summer, and I am so glad I was able to go. I can’t thank you enough for your support. It was such an amazing experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

I think it is really important. It brings everything together, and you start to understand why you had to learn certain things. For example, I was required to take a paleobiology course and I had a hard time in it. I wanted to drop the class, and I didn’t see the point in it because I was never going to deal with fossils ever again. But once I got to the field camp, I was able to recognize fossils, and found graptolites—which are hundreds of millions of years old!!! I think without field camp, I would feel a lot less qualified; I felt like this was the capstone to my degree—the final step to becoming a geologist. I felt like I learned so much and have a better understanding of geology as a whole now. I used sedimentology, structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, field geology, and paleobiology, and put the skills I had learned from those classes to use. I think field experience for a geoscience student is a must. You have to go and see, touch, measure, and analyze the things you are learning in the classroom in the field.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Without support, it makes it a lot more difficult for some of us to be able to attend field camps. For my degree, it was a requirement to be able to graduate. Without a field camp, I would not have a degree. Without support, it means completing my education would have been a LOT more expensive, and the support eased the financial burden for me. Field camp also provides such amazing and fun experiences for the students. I really enjoyed my time and loved all the people that I met, and it is an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for your support, I am so grateful for the opportunity it provided for me.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended field camp at Montana State University–Bozeman. We were based out of the Tobacco Roots Mountains at the Indiana University Geologic Field Station (IUGFS).

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship was life-changing. This scholarship allowed me to go to field camp; it made it much more affordable by cutting the cost in half. I was able to go to field camp without worrying about being in debt.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

Field camp confirmed my career choice. I am a current M.S. student in geology at the University of Arkansas working toward a Ph.D. to hopefully teach field camp one day. I loved the field experience, the application of years of knowledge culminating in producing maps and understanding of the area and the region at large.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Field camp allowed me to get my degree, firstly. Field camp also provided me with an opportunity to pursue my science and feel confident in my convictions and interpretation.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

Field camp is essential in geoscience instruction. An application or at least an understanding of the concepts, theories, and mechanics of the principles of the Earth and the earth system out in the field provides a well-rounded and rich education. As geoscientists and earth scientists, the Earth, the field is our laboratory.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Support for field camp is essential to providing equitable and equal education for geoscientists. Some fields of geoscience require multiple field camps that are expensive and take place during the summer when students would be working to support themselves. Students should not have to go into personal debt in order to make up for the lost income they would have made while pursuing their education. Supporting students through field camp supports them for the rest of their careers to give back and provide for the field.

Where did you attend field camp?

I attended the University of Washington’s field camp, which was located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

For the last four years, I have been working full-time, while also attending school full-time. I’ve needed to do this in order to support myself and my family because I returned to finish my education in my late thirties. Field camp is so time intensive, I knew I would not be able to maintain a full-time working status. Receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship made it possible for me to cut down my work hours to less than part-time so that I could attend field camp. Without this capstone course, I would not have been able to complete my education and it was only possible with the assistance of this scholarship.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

This experience showed me that I am most definitely heading in the right direction with my life. Every day in the field felt natural to me—like I was meant to be doing that very thing. I have had many different jobs in my life, and I never would have imagined finding a profession like this. It would be hard to call it work when it really just feels like I am getting to explore structures and processes that fascinate me. Trying to unfold the history of earth structures and materials has the same wonderment as reading a captivating book, except this story is written within the Earth rather than on pages. I only wish I had realized that this is what I was meant to be doing much sooner in my life.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

The last two years of school were difficult because of COVID. Geology is not conducive to remote learning and not being able to meet other like-minded peers made networking almost impossible. Field camp was one of the few times I was able to spend time with professors and other students whom I have been taking classes with for the last two years. Prior to that, my only interactions with them were through the camera during remote classroom sessions.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

The field camp experience is absolutely necessary for geoscience students as it allows students to apply their knowledge to real-life problems and environments. The field camp experience teaches students how to handle the social aspect of traveling, working, and living together while doing geologic fieldwork. It also helps students to fully understand all of the logistics required to successfully work in the field.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

It is important that students receive support for field camp opportunities because the cost of them is usually quite high. Field camp is essential for geoscience students because it is a rare chance to apply everything that was learned during their university studies. It is saddening to think that others might not be able to pursue this educational path because the monetary cost is too great. For me completing my education was incredibly stressful, but having the financial support of the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship gave me the ability to focus on school rather than how I was going to pay for it.