Geology and Geophysics Field Schools

Project Overview

One of the finest of its kind in Canada, the Faculty of Science is home to nearly 6000 undergraduate and 1300 graduate students, and nearly 300 faculty members. Science is where students explore their curiosity, research new ideas, and make exciting discoveries.

The Faculty of Science helps students translate classroom learning into real-world skills through initiatives such as the University of Alberta geology and geophysics field schools, hands-on courses that allow students to physically interact with the environment and practice the fundamentals of field research. Field schools help students develop professionally by giving them practical experience and challenging their critical thinking skills.

A Classroom That Is Billions of Years Old

Stéphane Poitras was walking alone along the shore of Bell Lake in the Northwest Territories when he discovered a rock like none he had seen before. It was a chance discovery, made possible by participation in a geology field school, and one that would ultimately shape his future studies and career.

The field school was unlike any class Poitras had taken. His classroom was a remote part of the Canadian Shield, where he worked with state-of-the-art equipment to map and measure bedrock distributions, record field descriptions, and collect structural data.

The rock turned out to be a rare volcanic ash layer from the Archean Eon that formed nearly three billion years ago. Its discovery could prove key to determining the age of a volcanic eruption during that period. Poitras was inspired by the piece of volcanic ash. He had discovered more than a thesis topic and an opportunity to make a major contribution to the field; he had embarked on his professional path. "[Field school is] not only academic-life-changing," says Poitras, "it is character building."

Philanthropic support helps to directly offset the cost to students, helping them afford the field school experience and get a jump on the skills they need to start their career.

The Impact of Your Donations

Canada's economy relies heavily on the sustainable development of natural resources. Geology and geophysics field schools produce exceptional graduates who have acquired deep field training experience and are ready to enter the workplace.

How to Help

Your donation helps students prepare for their future career by giving them access to hands-on, practical learning. Field schools are a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves, apply their classroom learning, and make life-changing discoveries.