Photos courtesy Hayden Chasteen
By Matt Koper/ne news editor
Students can earn credits for both geology and geography by going on a hiking and camping trip across the southwestern U.S.
A maximum of 15 students will travel June 13-28, through New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to study and examine geological processes and structures firsthand.
NE geology assistant professor Hayden Chasteen has been going on the trip for 13 years, and this is his last, he said.
“It’s going to be a special trip,” he said. “That’s why we are going to Yellowstone this year.”
Chasteen believes the trip helps students learn more than just things taught in class.
“Basically, I look at the trip as a way to let people experience geology outside the classroom,” he said. “Whether they’re going to be a geologist or not, it just gives that hands-on experience you can’t get in the classroom.”
Students will be required to answer daily questions, keep a running journal throughout the trip and also complete geographic activities.
They will also get to see many geological sites including Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Yellowstone national parks, the last of which is expected to stand out the most to students, Chasteen said.
“Although they’re going to see a bunch of other things too, that’ll certainly be the highlight,” he said. “That’s the reason why we’ll spend as much time there. It’s kind of the highlight of the whole trip.”
The aspect of traveling is a learning experience in itself, Chasteen said.
“To me, travel is one of the best ways you can learn things, not only about different places, but different kinds of people,” he said. “Let’s face it. Being jammed up in a couple of vans for 15 days with some people means you have to learn to get along with all kinds of folks. But I’ve always thought travel, just by itself, was one of the most intellectually stimulating things you can do.”
Any student interested in going should complete the Rocky Mountains: Yellowstone and Beyond questionnaire and return it to Chasteen in NSCE 1104A or geography instructor David Sallee in NSCE 1103.
Photos courtesy Hayden Chasteen
Students will be notified once questionnaires are approved so they can complete the registration process.
The total cost of the trip is $750, not including tuition and fees.
A $375 deposit is required to guarantee a spot on the trip. All final payments are due April 30.
Students must be enrolled in the courses by May 25.
Tuition for the course will be the equivalent of seven credit hours in Geology Field Methods (GEOL 2407) and Physical Geography (GEOG 1301).
