IU property in Montana offers site for classes

This summer, in the mountains of Montana, two introductory geology classes will give students the opportunity to study rock formations in natural settings.\nOne of the classes, G103: Earth Sciences: Materials and Processes, is open to all students, including incoming freshmen, with no prerequisites. The other, G104: Evolution of the Earth, only requires that students have successfully completed G103 before enrolling. For both classes, applications are necessary and scholarships are available to help with the costs which can vary from about $1,000 to $2,900.\nG103 is from July 1 to July 15, and G104 is from July 15 to July 29.\nTaking a course outside of the classroom has many benefits, said geological sciences professor Edward Ripley.\n“You can take virtual field trips on the computer, but they’re no substitute for being out there in the field,” he said. \nPerhaps the most important benefit of field classes is the hands-on experience, former students said. \n“For geology, when you see something in a textbook, it’s a lot harder to identify because if I give you a textbook example, that’s going to be a perfect example of a certain formation,” said Cassady Bethel-Thompson, a senior majoring in geology who has taken on-site geology sources. “And then there’s the examples out in the field, which have all kinds of little differences. … It’s more like real-life geology.” \nThe Montana summer program has been around since 1949, Ripley said. He said IU has owned the area in Montana since then and said the field station the faculty chose at that time is unique and beneficial to students’ experience.\n“I think Montana is a great place to learn. The scenery is beautiful out there. It’s God’s country for sure,” said Jeff Bowman, a senior who has taken the G104 course.\nAlthough the classes provide exciting hands-on experiences not available in traditional courses, students said there are challenges that make the course more rigorous. \n“On the mental side, when you had to put all the information we had learned and looked at through the day together in the big picture, it was sometimes a challenge,” Bowman said.\nBethel-Thompson added a similar sentiment by saying that one must be attentive during the program in order to succeed.\n“One of the biggest challenges from field camp – that’s what we call it – is you’ll be out there, and you’re really on your own,” she said. “You have to be on your toes and thinking the entire time.”\nHowever, whatever challenges may arise, everyone agreed many students can gain from the program.\n“My favorite part in the whole course is seeing how far students come in the duration of the class,” Ripley said.\nBethel-Thompson recalled one of her favorite parts of her time in Montana and why others should look into it too.\n“Hands-on experience is great. If you’re the type to learn something better when it’s in front of you, when it’s tangible and real, this is for you,” she said.\nFor more information about the courses and how to apply, visit www.indiana.edu/~iugfs/courses/g103.php.