Erin Stoesz, Wyoming State Science Fair Director and Assistant Lecturer in the UW Geology Department, recently completed an exciting project revising GEOL2080, which is UW’s general field geology course, with the support of a Teaching and Research Grant from the AHC. The goal was to incorporate archival materials from renowned UW geologist Dr. Samuel H. “Doc” Knight (1892-1975) into the curriculum so students could learn field geology skills using Doc’s own research as examples over the course of the semester.
The AHC’s Teaching and Research Grants program supports the innovative use of its collections in teaching, research and community engagement activities. Grants up to $3,000 are available to UW students, faculty, academic professionals, and staff for projects that engage with AHC resources in substantive ways, from student research to curriculum development to symposium planning.
The revised course included multiple four-hour field trips to sites Knight studied himself or used as a teaching laboratory like Vedauwoo, Red Buttes, Snowy Range, and Centennial Valley. Students practiced drawing the geologic structures and features depicted in Knight’s meticulous field sketches, often sketching the exact same areas he had. They watched his “chalk talks” in which he interpreted Wyoming’s geologic history and analyzed what field evidence likely led to his interpretations. Additional highlights were creating weatherproof posters with visual geological information for future classes to reference on field trips and a walking tour of campus to view Knight’s lasting physical legacy, like the Apatosaurus skeleton.
Students also got to view Knight’s original field notebooks at the AHC and discuss their importance for recording geological data. Using his stratigraphic data, they then created graphic columns turned into bookmarks. A visit to UW’s former Science Camp in the Snowy Mountains, started by Knight in the 1920s, let students compare their field experience to his students’ decades ago. The final assignment took students to Red Buttes (images below) where Knight conducted his doctoral research in order to demonstrate their full range of new geology skills, from site reconnaissance to collecting and recording data.
As Erin shared, “Students were introduced to Knight through a guided walking tour of relevant campus sites (T. Rex statue, Apatosaurus skeleton, etc.) and completed a written reflection on what kind of man and geologist they thought he was based on the physical legacy he helped create.”
One of the students shared with Erin, “I just wanted to thank you for teaching this fantastic course and for giving me the best hands-on experiences with geology I’ve had to date. I can’t recall a day where I didn’t learn something new and I can’t thank you enough for that.”
Incorporating archival materials into GEOL2080 gave students insight into the thought and work process of a legendary UW geologist while mastering field skills. Stoesz was grateful for the chance to bring geology history to life for her students: “Incorporating archival materials into GEOL2080 gave students insight into the thought and work process of a legendary UW geologist while mastering field skills. It showcased the wealth of unique resources held at the AHC.”
To see examples of the fossils that were central to Knight’s geological research and teaching, explore our Virmuze exhibit “S.H. Knight’s Fossils of Wyoming.”
Consider applying for an AHC grant to develop innovative educational projects.
Post contributed by AHC Archivist Leslie Waggener.
