KAREN BUCKLAND
NICARAGUAN EXPERIENCE
UGRO
NWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
My uGRO
Experience
You have to start
somewhere
This began my
experience with my
first real research in
the field of geology
and GIS
And, thanks to our mentors and Dr.
Cothran, I can now tell which end is up!
Which became very important
when we were soon transplanted…
To Central
America
NICARAGUA
We traveled with Dr. Mattioli a
vulcanologist from U of A
Traveled all over the country (Managua,
Leon, El Congo, La Boquita, Masaya
and many more)
Set up special tetrapods, with satellite
receivers, powered by 12 volt batteries
and solar panels
Our goal was to collect data for use in
interpreting the movement of tectonic
plates.
Statistics
Central America –
Nicaragua
Plate Tectonic
Activity
Nicaragua is
located on the
Caribbean Plate
It has one of the
most substantial
rates of tectonic
movement in the
world
As a result there
are 29 active
volcanoes and
earthquakes occur
regularly
Central America – Nicaragua
Plate Tectonic Activity
The Terrain and Geology
The World beneath our Feet
The Terrain
Mountains –
volcanoes
Lush forests
Black sand beaches
All the geology that has
captivated my interest
in future work in the
field of geology!!!!
Community
Nicaragua is very poor and the people
live in very substandard conditions.
There is a great deal of pollution
Despite hard lives, the people are the
nicest most beautiful people I have
ever met
Cultural Highlights
My favorite experience was when I
was invited to dance at a restaurant.
Three women were dancing to live
music and asked me to join them.
I learned the steps and incorporated
my own.
We hugged and took pictures
together afterward
Volcanic Peaks
The most exciting part
of the trip was the
volcanoes.
We traveled up a
boulder clad trail to the
top of Casita elev.
3300 feet.
From the top I could
see two other
countries, extinct
calderas, a long row of
volcanoes, and a very
active one.
The Sight, the Sounds, the
SMELL!!
The second volcano
that we explored was
Masaya.
It was indescribably
big and it emitted so
much sulfuric gas that
breathing was difficult.
I also toured a lava
tube while there.
Pacing our Workload
Our working days were very hectic
Breakfast at 6:30 am
Traveling at feverish paces across the
country
Setting up and tearing down equipment
Physically demanding
Climbing steep slopes
Waist high brush
“Barbed wire fences”
Project Timeline 2008
February-Trip to Nicaragua, collect rocks
March- Complete workbook, find publisher
April-Complete text and photo layout for
textbook
May-Complete translation of text
June-Submit for a Copyright
July-Promote book
August-Submit for publication
Sept/Oct.-Present to National Geological
Conference.
My Goals and Project Outlines
GOAL: Devise And Complete A Project
That Incorporates GIS Technology,
Geology, And The Nicaraguan
Community.
Develop and copyright a bilingual student textbook that
provides a comprehensive explanation of Nicaraguan
geology.
Have numerous color copies of the textbook published,
including individual paper workbooks.
Distribute the textbooks and workbooks to the
Nicaraguan public schools.
Make it available for mission groups to distribute also.
Textbook Content
Classifications, descriptions and
photographs of indigenous Nicaraguan
rocks and formations.
Explanation of the tectonic activity in
Nicaragua and drawings of the tectonic
plate.
Describe the geological formation
history of Nicaragua
Earthquake, Volcano and Tsunami
Information and pictures.
Textbook Content, Cont.
Maps of Nicaragua
GIS and GPS information and pictures
of equipment
Local Rock Sample Identification Card
Subduction Data and Fault Pictures
Safety tips for geological emergency
situations
Workbook Content
Crossword Puzzle
Word Search
Conceptual Questions
Rock Identification Practice
Blank Maps
Basic Geology Information
Mohs Hardness Scale
Project Ideas
Volcano diagrams
Safety Review
Anticipated Outcome
Successfully create a textbook that
will:
Be distributed to the schools
throughout Nicaragua (especially
those in need of books)
Teach the students in Nicaragua
about the geology of their country
Create and interest in science and
teach safety to the children of the
country.
uGRO EMPACTS
This uGRO project has brought me up close
and personal to with:
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Science in action – the real thing
Cutting edge technology
Hands on learning
Working scientists and professors in the field
Cultures unlike my own
It would be impossible to duplicate this type of
learning in the classroom. uGRO is reaching
undergraduates by integrating science and
technology with real experience!