Inspiring A New Generation Of Geophysicists
19 October 2009
Hazel Mather and Dr Dorothy Satterfield with the CD-Rom, associated literature and a seismic data map.
Dr Satterfield
The University of Derby has been working on a £20,000 project with the British Geological Survey and funded by the UK Onshore Geophysical Library (UKOGL), to create an interactive learning geology resource for students.
It has been warmly received by two exam boards who are set to use it during teacher training sessions and by the Earth Science Teachers' Association.
Project leaders hope that the tool can inspire a new generation of budding geologists and geophysicists to help address an international shortage in this industry.
The software and associated website Sub-Surf Rocks! will teach A-level students how to begin analysis of seismic data taken from the Weald Basin in Hampshire, an oil and gas producing area.
The tool was unveiled to a hundred delegates at the 42nd Annual Course and Conference of the Earth Science Teachers' Association (ESTA) last month in Southampton.
ESTA's conference theme was 'Integrated Earth Science' and the event took place at the National Oceanography Centre with TV presenter and geologist Dr Iain Stewart as the keynote speaker.
Following the conference, around 60 of the CD-Roms were presented to the teacher delegates to use in the classroom with a further 600 copies to be issued to ESTA members nationwide inside the organisation's annual magazine later this year.
Furthermore, two national exam boards, OCR and WJEC have ordered copies to use at Inset Days for geology teachers to showcase the seismic concepts.
Professor Chris King, Professor of Earth Science Education, at Keele University, and chair of the Secondary committee for ESTA, said: "There is an international shortage of geophysicists so anything which can help inspire students to consider this career path is welcome.
"This project was trialled by 35 Geology lecturers at the national conference. It was well received as it was clear that the project leaders had spoken to educators to find out what was needed when developing this CD-Rom."
Hazel Mather, geophysicist, University of Derby associate lecturer and teacher, developed the website and produced a seismic exercise targeted to A level students. Dr Dorothy Satterfield, University Programme Leader for Applied Petroleum Geoscience, and a member of the UKOGL board of trustees, managed the project.
Dr Satterfield said: "The tool will help give Geology students a first-hand experience of working with seismic data as used by professionals in industry.
"There are some exciting career opportunities in this area. Work is available in a range of environmental management companies, the oil and gas industry and other geosciences who use seismic data."
The CD-Rom's contents include:
- Short audio visual presentations on how seismic data are acquired and how to interpret seismic data.
- Definition of all key words linked into text
- A 3D model showing the relationship of seismic to geology
- Embedded mathematics (anatomy of seismic)
Hazel added: "With my industry background and experience as a teacher, I am aware of what the curriculum required and what teachers need to be able to teach this subject area effectively. We have tried to incorporate these needs in the CD-Rom."
Within the CD-Rom, students can actually see features such as faults and folds in the seismic data and have the opportunity to interpret their own seismic sections from the Weald Basin.
Pete Loader is a teacher at St Bede's College in Manchester and Chief Examiner for AS and A2 geology with WJEC, who tested the activity. He said: "Hazel's session was very well received and we were all impressed with the new seismic data development!"
There is also information and links with the hydrocarbon exploration industry explaining how seismic exploration is carried out and key concepts are explained. A 3D model illustrates the relationship between the geology at the surface, geological cross-sections and seismic profiles.
The Library is a registered charity whose objective is to archive all available UK onshore seismic data and make it available for educational and commercial purposes.
The software is supported by a website www.sub-surfrocks.co.uk which can be accessed by teachers and students alike.
For more information about this news release, contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email: s.redfern@derby.ac.uk
