The Earth Sciences faculty is committed to students' success by offering as many field experiences as is possible. We offer many styles of opportunities for students to experience the natural setting of many of the in-class topics studied through the curriculum.
As part of courses
Many experiences are designed into required and elective courses that our students complete in their normal program in earth sciences, earth science education, and geology. These trips are usually to sites within relative striking-distance of Buffalo, such as those in Western New York, as well as the Adirondacks and Catskills areas of the eastern part of the state. Students also visit sites in western Connecticut and central and southeastern Pennsylvania.
Other field experiences are courses themselves that provide opportunities to experience geology and geological phenomena farther afield than our course-related trips. Beginning in the summer of 2007, upper-division courses and graduate level courses have been run to parts of the western United States to study classic geological locations such as the Grand Canyon; the San Francisco Volcanic Field; the Havasupai Indian Reservation with the Havasu Falls in Arizona; Zion National Park; Veyo Volcanic Field in Utah; Long Valley Caldera and Mono Lake in California; Death Valley; and Meteor Crater in Arizona.
Other trips have included Hawaiian volcanos, the Swiss Alps, and the volcanoes of the greater El Salvador area in Central America.
Early in each fall semester, the department runs a field trip open to all students in our major programs. Several faculty members go as well. Each year we visit a different location. Previous trips have been to parts of Ontario, central New York and even central and southern Maine. This trip is co-sponsored with the Geology Club.
In December, the faculty led students on a field trip of the Midwest. Tour destinations included the Hoover Dam, Kelso Dunes, and Death Valley, among other sites. Learn more (PDF).
For more information on this field trip and future trips, please contact Gary Solar at (716) 878-6731.
You can help students participate in these farther afield experiences through a tax deductible contribution to the "Geology Field Trip Fund." Your donation will benefit the planning and execution of the "Wild, Wild West Geology" workshop, and future field education workshops, for the next generation of earth scientists.
Online contributions are accepted through the Buffalo State College Foundation. To make your donation, visit the Buffalo State College Foundation site, click "Donate Now," and select "Geology Field Trip Fund" as your contribution designation.
The faculty and students of the Earth Sciences and Science Education Department greatly appreciate your gift. Thank you.
For additional information contact department chair, Gary Solar
