Geology students ditch the classroom and head for the Mojave desert

As the sun set, the only option for a group of students on a geology field trip to catch a glimpse of one of the most well-known sunset views in the National Preserve, was to run to the top of the Kelso Dunes, tucked away in the Mojave Desert.

This is just one of the many experiences students had during this semester in Geology 17; a course designed to take students out of the classroom and into the wilderness with a geological perspective.

This trip featured a crash course into the depths of the Mojave Desert including stops and views at Mitchell’s cavern, the Rings of Fire, Amboy Crater, Hole in the Wall, and Lava Tube.

Geology 17 is meant to give students living in urban environment an introduction to nature with professionals who will help answer questions about what they’re seeing

In charge of planning the activities, getting permits, leading the lectures, and ensuring the students safety, Doug Britton and Otto Figueroa are the educators behind this geological field work.

“Intellectually it’s very rewarding, you’re looking at problems trying to understand… the rewards comes when you figure it out,” Britton said. “Geologists always get the opportunity of being out in nature.”

Figueroa, also a senator on the Academic Senate, believes it’s important for his students to see how the lessons learned in the classroom can have real life applications.

“You have to understand how our planet works to do something about it,” Figueroa said.

The trip not only educated students on learning about the environment, but it also brought to light problems on a national level.

Lands that belong to the people are facing issues as people are becoming less involved in the well being of National Parks.

According the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), National Parks have been facing difficult times from various factors such as effects of a changing climate, preserving and protecting landscape, and threats of losing public land to mining.

On the trip, experienced geologists lead students through a guided nature-enthusiastic course, while visiting the entire National Preserve with an emphasis on not leaving any plastic footprint behind.

Students also did light exploring within a safe distance alone or in smaller groups, which prompted them to enjoy nature in solitude.

Philosophy major Thomas Pool took his time deciding what he enjoyed most out from the entire experience.

“Definitely meeting everyone there. Meeting new people is the best, and learning about their perspectives is enlightening,” Pool said.

After the spring, the course Geology 17 gets renamed Geology 4 just in time for fall.

With each trip there’s a different destination, but there is one thing certain; with every environmental change there is a lesson to be learned and students in the class just might learn it.