Department of Environmental Geographical and
Geological Sciences (EGGS)
Hartline Science Hall
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, Pa 17815
(570) 389-4000
David L. Soltz,
President, of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg PA, 17815
April 15, 2013
Dear Dr.Soltz,
The Society for Geological Studies would like to take a trip to Shenandoah National Park
in order to gain some first-hand experience in Geologic/Geographic research. This trip would
allow us, and other students in related fields, to fully grasp methods used in studying rock
formations, determining the structural geomorphology of the area, and gathering various soil,
water, and faunal samples.
This trip to the Shenandoah National Park would not only allow our students to compare
and analyze different rock, soil, and water samples from that area, but also present them with
the opportunity and experience which can be used later on in their professional field of studies.
For this reason, we lean to the University for the support and approval of this educational trip to
help benefit not only the students themselves, but the school as well. Broadcasting a trip like
this may peek the interest of many prospective students looking into Bloomsburg University and
their Geological/Geographic study programs. Recognizing the opportunities for field experience
may be a determining factor as to whether or not they choose to attend Bloomsburg University.
Bloomsburg University’s Environmental Geographic and Geological Science Department
provides us with adequate knowledge to conduct studies in Shenandoah National Park. As
college students, we will also engage in recreation activities that will increase our appreciation
for the environment and outdoor expenditures. We hope that you can consider our proposal.
Your approval for funding will open the door to new and exciting opportunities.
Respectfully,
Alex Porter
Society for Geological Studies Project Leader
Field Research Trip to
Shenandoah National
Park
Prepared for: The Academic Team for Field Trip ApprovalPrepared by: Alex Porter, Sheri
Dube, Nathan Brophy, Kyle Kramer, and Nick Tuminski
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Table of Contents
● Project Breakdown .............................................................................4
○ Purpose for trip
○ Study skills used
○ Current situation
● Schedule/Itinerary ..............................................................................5-6
● Qualifications .........................................................................................7
● Budget .......................................................................................................7
○ Total expense breakdown
● Cost Benefit Analysis ...........................................................................8
● Conclusion ...............................................................................................8
●
Frequently Asked Questions ...........................................................9
● Contact Information .............................................................................10
● Division Of Labor ...................................................................................11
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Trip Breakdown
● Purpose of our trip
○ The purpose of our trip to the Shenandoah National park is for field research.
We will be hiking to different rock formations where we will collect samples.
The samples will include rocks, soil, and water. We will then take them back
to our home base for analysis. We will work with other well-known geologist
of the Shenandoah Mountain area. This will be a great hands on learning
experience for the soon to be graduates of Bloomsburg University. Our trip
will also entail recreational ventures which include horseback riding and
rock climbing. We believe that recreation at Shenandoah National Park will
give us better appreciation of the park, as well as a personal thrill that some
are not regularly exposed to. Pricing is calculated for 25 participants.
● Study Skills Used
○ Study of rock formations and lithology in the field.
○ Better understanding of the areas structural geomorphology.
○ Study and practice taking soil samples collected in the field.
○ Study and practice collecting and testing water samples in the field.
○ Experience and identify native and non-native foliage in the field.
● Current Situation
○ From an educational perspective, students get all their experience on
collecting and studying samples from lectures and labs. However, studies
show that most college students benefit from hands on experience. By having
to actually go out and physically collect the samples, this field trip will show
us a more fulfilling meaning to the process behind the study. Rather than
simply, “This is what we do because the teacher told us to do it that way”, our
proposed trip will demonstrate what geoscientists really do.
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Schedule Plan
Day One:
7:00 am – Bus Departs from Nelson Field House parking lot
11:30 am - Lunch fast food
2:00 pm - Arrival at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Unload and set up camp at Big Meadows Campground
5:30 pm - Supper
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Review Itinerary, Discuss Park History and areas of
particular attention, Discussion: “Tips on keeping and writing in a
field notebook”
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm - Free time, Read research review package (optional)
11:00 pm - Lights out
Day Two:
7:00 am - Breakfast
8:30 am - Meet at the Tanners Overlook
8:30 am - 11:30 am – Collect rock and soil samples; identify major
tectonic
events/erosional processes that lead to current
landscape
seen in present day.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Picnic lunch
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Overview of rock samples, determine rock lithology
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Discuss field notes/gather research
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Supper
6:30 pm - 11:00 pm - Free time
11:00 pm - Lights out.
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Day Three:
7:00 am - Breakfast
8:00 am - Meet at Rose River Falls
8:00 am - 10:00 am- Take water samples, discuss stream type, identify stream
discharge, velocity, capacity, and determine fluvial
processes
acting on the streams main channel and surrounding
landscape.
Discuss stream origin
10:00 am - 1230 pm- Test samples for water pH, alkalinity, etc.
1230 pm - 1:30 pm- Lunch
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm- Horseback riding, overview of general valley and ridge
topography, Investigate orogenic events and Blue Ridge Mountain uplift
4:30 pm - Supper
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Rock climbing
8:00 pm - 2:00 am- Free time
2:00 am - Lights out
Day Four:
8:00 am - Breakfast
9:00 am -11:00 am- pack up, Overview of field research and samples
collected, questions pertaining to field notebook
11:30 am - Quick lunches
12:00 pm - Bus departs
5:00 pm - Shady Maple in Lancaster PA for supper
7:30 pm - Arrival at nelson field house parking lot.
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Qualifications
We are students of a specific field of study that need all the additional experience we
can receive to help ensure our chances of direct employment after graduation. There will
be class prerequisites for the trip, ensuring that students participating in the research are
doing so to increase their general knowledge and understand of geologic processes and
field techniques. These classes would include Physical Geology, Geomorphology, Historical
Geology, and Stratigraphy and Sedimentation. Furthermore, final grades for pre-requisite
classes must be an average of B+ or higher for participant consideration.
As students, we will be representing Bloomsburg University. Therefore, the research
and educational activities we partake in will be done so in a professional manner, from an
academic standpoint. We will do our best to achieve nothing short of success while
studying the geologic processes of Shenandoah National Park.
Budget
The total cost of our proposed field trip to Shenandoah National Park is
$10,625. Below is a breakdown of all the expenses. Because the purpose of the trip is
academic, there will be no parking or entrance fee for our visitors. Also, lodging is of no
charge at the Primitive Campground. Students will bring their own tents and camping gear,
as well as money for food. On the way back to Bloomsburg University, however, we would
like to treat everyone to a meal at Shady Maple in Lancaster,
Expense
Quantity
Unit Price
Cost
Transportation and
Equipment
1
$7,000
$7,000
Horseback Riding
25
$75
$1,875
Rock Climbing
25
$50
$1,250
Shady Maple
25
$20
$500
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Cost Benefit Analysis
The benefit of doing field research in Shenandoah National Park will far outweigh
the cost for Bloomsburg University Students such as us and others interested. Hands on
experience in the area of tectonics and geomorphic processes will greatly increase the
knowledge and general understanding students have of the geologic sciences. This is due to
the controlled atmosphere in which research is conducted; in which students have the
opportunity to ask all the questions we may have. Moreover, experience in the field will
increase the interest of future and prospective employers after graduation.
Conclusion
This field trip will benefit those who are looking to excel in their academic careers.
Field research is a necessity for students that are looking for careers in geology and
geography. It will offer the experience that is essential to students by providing them with a
brief but intensive summation of all the skills they have learned throughout the year. This
experience is a vital tool they will need in their internships and eventually careers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1 Who would be the direct beneficiaries from a trip like this?
a The geology and geography students will benefit the most with the hands on
experience gained during this trip.
2 What benefit does this trip serve both the students and the school?
a The trip would be a valuable piece of experience to include on a resume . The
school would benefit by increasing interest from prospective students
3 Where can students sign up to be a part of the trip?
a The environmental geographical and geological sciences (EGGS) office in
room 127, which is located in the Hartline Science Building on lower campus.
Professors from the department will advise students on trip dates, locations,
and benefits
4
When in the academic semester will the trip take place?
a It will take place towards the end of the summer’ semester so the students
will be able to apply all they learned throughout the fall and spring
semesters. It will also give students time to take classes in the summer which
are prerequisites for the trip.
5 Why is the experience that will be received from this trip so much better than
what the students receive now?
a The experiences the students will receive from this trip bring to the students
a sense of value and reason behind collecting and studying the samples.
6 How do you expect to raise the money for a trip of this size?
a Through fundraising and grants from the college.
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Contact Information
Student/Department Leaders:
● Alex Porter
○ Email:amporter90@gmail.com
● Sheri Dube
○ Email: sad64464@huskies.bloomu.edu
● Nathan Brophy
○ Email: nzb59763@gmail.com
● Kyle Kramer
○ Email:kjk69414@gmail.com
● Nick Tuminski
○ Email:net78755@huskies.bloomu.edu
Department (EGGS) Chair
● Dr. Dale Springer
dspringe@bloomu.edu
Department Office:
● Room 127 Hartline Science Center
(570) 389-4108
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Division of Labor
● Alex Porter - Project Leader
○ Proposal Letter
○ Cover Page
○ Table of contents
○ Day 1 Plan
○ Budget
○ Division of Labor
○ Editing/Proofreading
● Sheri Dube
○ Project Breakdown
○ Qualifications
○ Graphics
○ Editing/Proofreading’s
○ Secondary contributor to Proposal Letter
● Nathan Brophy
○ Day 2 Plan
○ Cost Benefit Analysis
○ Contact Info
○ Proofreading
● Nick Tuminski
○ Project Breakdown
○ Day 3 Plan
○ Budget
○ Proofreading
● Kyle Kramer
○ Project Breakdown
○ Day 4 Plan
○ Frequently Asked Question
○ Proofreading
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