Faults in the Field 2006

Expedition to Massachusetts
 May 3-7, 2006

A geoscience field trip
provided by
Dr. Michele Cooke,
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Some useful images - color prints are included in the student field notebooks.
Chart of geologic time
Tectonic Plate boundaries
Geologic map of Massachusetts
Geologic map of Vermont
Tectonic Lithofacies of the Appalachian mountains
What's up?
Science students from SOAR-High participating schools will be selected for a special field trip to Massachusetts & Vermont in May with geoscientist Dr. Michele Cooke.   This is a very exciting opportunity!   The SOAR-High schools will select 2 students per teacher.   Students have been selected based on interest and enthusiasm for this unique experience and interest in science/math.  



Where?
The trip is to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (http://www.umass.edu/).   Amherst is close to the middle of the state, a little to the west.  We will be taking field trips to mountains in Massachusetts and Vermont. 

Look around campus here.

Left: The University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.


Purpose?
Dr. Michele Cooke is very excited about geoscience.  She wants to share her knowledge and skills with deaf students who are interested in science & math, and are enthusiastic to learn more.  On this trip we will learn about and see how mountains change, how geoscientists study the Earth, and how scientists do research in the laboratory.   Students will see ancient rocks and faults, walk across an ancient volcano,  see where glaciers cut the rocks, and maybe discover dinosaur footprints.  Students will meet and work with Dr. Cooke's students at UMass, and work together to create a short presentation about what they learn (the scientists and students will help and work with the high school students).


When?
Trip dates are May 3-7, 2006.  We will fly to Massachusetts on Wednesday evening, May 3.   MSSD and NCSD will return on Sunday evening, May 7.  MSAD, ISD, and UHS students will return on Monday, May 8.


Who is Our Leader?
Dr. Michele Cooke, geoscience professor at the Univ. of Massachusetts is planning and will lead this field experience.  She is a recognized expert in her field of geoscience.   It is truly a special opportunity to get to meet and work with Dr. Cooke.  Her web page here: http://www.geo.umass.edu/faculty/cooke/   (notice the picture of Dr. Cooke is from the Utah field trip in May last year!)     The web page shows Dr. Cooke's incredible academic achievement - she has degrees in Geology AND Engineering from the best universities.  It is wonderful to have the chance to learn from her.
 
Dr. Cooke researches earthquakes and faults.   On the left is an image made from one of Dr. Cooke's computer models, showing earthquake zones in Southern California.



Who will go?
Students from five schools for the deaf will participate in the trip (the SOAR-High schools).  Each SOAR-High teacher will select 2 students.   A total of 12 students will go on the trip, with 7 teachers.   There will be 3-4 geoscientists working with us, and at least two of them use sign language.   We will have 2-3 interpreters with us at all times.   

Schedule?
All students and teachers will fly to Massachusetts on Wed, May 3.  Dr. Cooke will lead us on a field trip in the mountains all day Thursday. Get ready to hike and climb!  We will study an old volcano, and see faults, and maybe dinosaur tracks.    On Friday we will stay on campus at UMass.  We will see Dr. Cooke's lab, learn what her research is about, and see other research labs at UMass.   Students will work together to do a short presentation.  On Saturday and Sunday we will travel Vermont.  We will see more mountains and learn how mountains grow and shrink.  We will learn about the age of the rocks, and how the rocks are connected to Africa!   Sunday afternoon we will return to Massachusetts.  MSSD and NCSD will fly home Sunday night.   MSAD, UHS and ISD will fly home on Monday morning.


Who will be picked to go?
First we will pick students who are interested in science or math.  (Dr. Cooke uses a lot of math in her research work.)  Second we are looking for students who will be serious about the trip and willing to work.   And we are looking for students who are enthusiastic and ready for fun!   Also, the trip will involve hiking and being outside a lot, so students who apply should like the outdoors.


We will see dinosaur footprints like this one next to a human foot.
☆.··*¨*··.★.··*¨*··.☆.··*¨*··.★.··*¨*··.☆.··*¨*··.★.··*¨*··. ☆.··*¨*··.★.··*¨*··.☆.··*¨*··.★.··*¨*··.☆.··*¨*··.★

Mario and Scott are ready to explain the rocks in Massachusetts!