Physical Geology Goes to Blanchard Springs Caverns

 {Group shot of the students at Blanchard Springs with Morgan}

I took the Physical Geology summer students to Blanchard Springs Caverns for their extra credit field trip at the end of the semester.  I was surprised that about 75% of the students had never been inside a cave before, and thrilled that I was able to show them the beauty held within.  Many of the students walked around totally in awe of what they were seeing.  Our guide was great and answered a lot of the students questions.   Many of the students told me on the way home that they want to take their family back and show them the things that they have learned.  That made me very, very happy!!!

{Morgan (geodaughter) and Rene (geomom) in front of the spelothems}

Teachers are Lifelong Learners

 {Dr. McMillan and Dr. Shroat-Lewis during the poster session}

Do you know the reason that teachers teach?  Because we are lifelong learners and really like going to school every day.  Dr. McMillan and I were so excited to be able to attend a week-long workshop entitled "Innovative Approaches to Teaching Sedimentary Geology, Geomorphology, and Paleontology" in St. Paul, Minnesota in June (sponsored by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers).  We both walked away with a plethora of new ideas for teaching our courses.  Not only that, but the opportunity to interact with other faculty members from across the United States opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for research and teaching collaborations. It was definitely time well spent.

{Dr. McMillan and Dr. Shroat-Lewis in class}