2008 Entries and Abstracts

Kitty Milliken
Geosciences
Sandstone Petrology: A Tutorial Petrographic Image Atlas

A challenge in the earth sciences curriculum is that the field has grown tremendously so there’s more to teach, but we still only have our undergraduates for four years. Readjustments have to be made and petrography (the study of rocks using various forms of microscopy) is being squeezed from the curriculum. Petrography is at particular risk because it is labor-intensive to teach, requiring an expert guide and many hours of exposure to examples, as well as microscopes and an appropriate collection of specially prepared samples. At the same time however we encounter feedback from employers (mostly the petroleum industry) who avow that petrography remains a basic skill that is much in demand.

The sandstone tutorial is designed as a supplement to laboratory experiences in petrography. It is not a text book. It is not a set of organized laboratory exercises. It does not do away with the need for actual samples and microscopes and teachers. It is a resource that allows us to teach petrography more efficiently and more effectively. Many of the specific features incorporated into the tutorial relate to our desire to duplicate the “microscope experience” as closely as possible and to still allow the student to explore and learn on their own.

The tutorial design forces the students into an active mode of learning as information is not handed to them until they ask for it. Around 90 percent of the content is “hidden” until the student asks (with a click), “What is that?” The 650-image collection provides a very comprehensive learning experience and the content in version 2.0 is well-balance in terms of the features and concepts presented.