introduction of panelists david mogk - professor and chair, montana state university steven...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction of Panelists David Mogk - Professor and Chair,
Montana State University Steven Whitmeyer – Associate
Professor, James Madison University
Dave Mogk Montana State University
Steve Whitmeyer James Madison University
"The field is where the truth resides; it is the essential core of geology. Models are essential figments of the imagination which must be tested by observation. Those who do no field work and do not gather data will never understand geology"
(John Dewey, quoted in Butler, 2008).
Photo credit: Darrell Henry
A Premise: Field Work is Good
Temporal and spatial reasoning on many scales
Transfer of concepts/content to new setting Skill development; community of practice Encounters with open, complex systems Affective gains (motivation, networks)… Do field work early, often, and at all levelsAnd Worth the Effort-But at what risk or cost? -Do you and your university legal staff have the same views on this?
Field Education Trends
The decrease in summer field camps1
• 259 summer field camps in 1985 ~ 35% of geoscience depts.
• 257 summer field camps in 1995 ~ 35% of geoscience depts.
• 103 summer field camps in 2006 < 15% of geoscience depts.
Data from 1AGI “Status Report on Geoscience Summer Field Camps”, 2006; 2AGI “Status of the Geoscience Workforce 2009”
Potential factors
• barriers to field work; e.g. time, cost, liability, access
• advances in laboratory equipment and techniques
• decrease in professional jobs that incorporate field mapping
• decline in the number of geoscience majors nationwide2
(…but the number of majors now seems to be increasing. Implications for field courses?)
Planning and Preparation are Essential
Designing an Effective Field Experience http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/field/design.html
Field Trip Safety http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/field/field_safety.html
Minimize Risk and Liability in the First Place! (An ounce of prevention….)
Before You Go…. Field Trip Policy Forms
Safety First!Responsibilities to the groupCode of conduct (and consequences)
Medical and Emergency Contact FormsPersonal medical information (allergies,
medications, diabetes, asthma…); info essential for a first responder
All staff and drivers should know the locations of, and directions to all nearby hospitals
Insurance informationContact informationSpecial beliefs
Itinerary On file in the department
Leader and contact infoSchedule and locations lodgingList of participants
For student participantsPotential risks are clearly identifiedClear expectations about tasksWhat to expect (weather, intensity of physical
demands…)What personal or professional gear to bring
Emergency Response Plan is in placeLocal emergency medical, police, search and rescue
Professional Standards? Are you in a situation that requires (or
allows) application of professional standards? Model professional standards!OSHA, MSHA, HAZWOPER,?
Best Practices used in IndustryHard hatsReflective VestsEye and ear protectionAppropriate foot wear, weather gearSafety inspection of vehicles; chock wheels
Vehicle Safety What type of vehicles?
Institutional motor pool? Departmental?Commercial fleet?Do the vehicles meet the needs of the event? (4 wheel
drive, snow chains, ….)? Safety Equipment in vehicles
Flares, cones, jumper cables, first aid crash kit… Use of personal vehicles (not recommended)
Don’t know condition of vehicles or driversDisclaimer if students opt to drive themselves?
Certified driversTAs, students in class, outdoor activity leaders?
Alcohol, Drug, Sexual Harassment, (Firearm?!) Policies JUST SAY “NO”
The exposure to liability is just too great At the very least comply with all local and state laws
ConsequencesComplaints, Dismissal and Withdrawal Procedures must be in
place○ Best if students have copies of these policies up front
Highly RecommendedKeck Geology Consortium Student Participant Handbook
keckgeology.org/files/pdf/projects/2009Student_Hdbk.pdf
Keck Geology Consortium Project Leader Handbook keckgeology.org/files/pdf/projects/PD_Hdbk2008_1.pdf
Permits, Permissions Land access is a major issue
Respect property rights—Ask First!○ Range animals, gates, roads, fire danger
(smoking)Public Lands
○ Increasingly permits are required for access○ MSU has a MOU with local forests documenting
when and how we will use USFS lands○ Sampling permits (national parks, etc.)○ Respect road closures and other restrictions
Student Code of Conduct
Extension of classroom!All university policies apply
Any unsafe behavior subject to dismissal from the event / course
Disruptive behaviorDocument everything, but be aware that all
documentation is subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)
First Aid and Safety Gear
What is required, reasonable, prudent?First Aid
○ What level? WFR’er; EMT?○ Personal first aid kits in field backpacks;
larger group first aid kits in each vehicleSafety Gear
○ Radios / walkie-talkies○ Mobile phones○ Lightning detector?○ Traffic cones
Personal Liability Questions Talk to your institutional legal council
Know in advance what your coverage is!
Consider obtaining a personal liability rider on you insurance policy
Beware of exclusions!Non-instructional activities in a field settingActivities that may be perceived as
imprudent or unsafe
In the event of an Accident Injury or Illness Incident reporting (document everything)
Names of all involved, dates, locationWhat happened? (symptoms; history of events;
situation….)What treatments were given?What external help was used (e.g. medical,
hospital, clinic…)?What actions were taken by authorities (police,
rangers….)?What was the recommended course of action?
International Field Work Helpful to have an umbrella organization, like a study
abroad office, to cover legal and problem issues Know the local laws, access policies, culture (especially
in rural areas) Absolutely know how to handle emergencies, like
accidents and medical issues If possible, students should have supplementary
overseas medical insurance Have documented procedures in place to send problem
students home, if necessary Something unexpected WILL occur, you just don’t know
(yet) what it will be…
Selected References Field Geology Education: Historical Perspectives
and Modern Approaches, Geological Society of America Special Paper 461, Whitmeyer, Mogk and Pyle (eds). A collection of 26 essays on a wide array of field teaching approaches.
Teaching Geoscience Through Field Work by John Butler, GEES Subject Centre Learning and Teaching Guide
Designing Effective Fieldwork for the Environmental and Natural Sciences by John Maskall and Alison Stokes, University of Plymouth, GEES Subject Centre Learning and Teaching Guide
Field Safety in Uncontrolled Environments, S. Oliveri and K Bohacs, 2005, AAPG
Questions?