Trekking Up Mountains to Go Back in Time

The authors of this article explain one way to integrate geology and ecology through the venue of a field trip. Middle school students in Arizona take a hike back in time as they trek up Mo... See More

The authors of this article explain one way to integrate geology and ecology through the venue of a field trip. Middle school students in Arizona take a hike back in time as they trek up Mount Lemmon. Not too far from Tucson, students see firsthand the impact of two forest fires on the ecological balance of local flora and fauna while they learn about the physical geographic features and geological history of the terrain. A chart of the results from a sample pre- and post-trip test about the geology and ecology of the area is provided as well as the results of a parental survey after the field trip up Mount Lemmon. As a result of the field trip, students expressed an interest in returning with their family members to share what they had learned, and they were able to significantly demonstrate knowledge of the geological and ecological elements of Mount Lemmon. More than two-thirds of the parents participating in the survey responded favorably indicating that the field trip was an effective and fun way to teach their children about the geology and ecology of the mountain.