The Geology of LaSalle County: An Example of a CollegeSponsored, NonCredit MiniCourse for the Genera

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The Geology of LaSalle CountyAn Example of a
College-Sponsored,Non-Credit Mini-Course for the
General Public

• Michael Phillips
• Geology Instructor
• Illinois Valley Community College
• Oglesby, Illinois

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What is a Mini-Course?

• Public Outreach
• Continuing Education
• No credit/no grade
• Public Interest
• Low Cost

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What to Do

• Steps
• Find a mini-course program
• Contact the coordinator
• Select a topic
• Submit a proposal
• Present the course
• Evaluate your performance
• Example The Geology of LaSalle County

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Who sponsors Mini-Courses?

• Colleges and Universities
• Museums
• Scientific societies and associations
• Libraries
• Parks (National, State, Local)
• Other organizations

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Contact the Mini-Course Coordinator

• Course Options
• General Public
• Children
• Elderhostel
• Other
• Location
• Classroom
• Lab
• Field

• Equipment/supplies
• audiovisual
• Handouts
• lab (rocks )
• field (hammers)
• Day Time
• Advertisement
• Compensation

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Selecting a Topic

• Audience
• age
• prior knowledge
• Local interest
• Location (inside /or outside)
• time of year
• appropriate to topic
• Available references

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Submit a proposal

• Fill out the forms
• Develop a catchy topic description
• Day(s) time
• Supply request
• Lab vs field (including contingencies)
• Waivers

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Contact the Mini-Course Coordinator

• Course Options
• General Public
• Children
• Elderhostel
• Other
• Location
• Classroom
• Lab
• Field

• Equipment/supplies
• audiovisual
• Handouts
• lab (rocks )
• field (hammers)
• Day Time
• Advertisement
• Compensation

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Present the Course

• Talk with students as they arrive.
• Provide copies of notes, key figures, and
  appropriate sources.
• Use multiple forms of presentation (verbal,
  visual, samples).
• Encourage discussion.
• Keep it simple.

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The Geology of LaSalle County

• Audience
• General Public (age 16 and up)
• limited prior knowledge
• Location College lab and State Park
• the college lab is used for an introduction to
  geology

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The Geology of LaSalle County

• Equipment/Supplies
• audiovisual slide projector, overhead
• handouts notes, field trip guidebook (ISGS)
• lab rock samples
• field hand lenses, acid, Brunton compasses
• Day Time Saturday, 9 am to 330 pm
• Advertisement Circular distributed by the
  College

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The Geology of LaSalle County Morning Session

• Minerals Rocks formation, identification,
  interpretation
• A small bit about plate tectonics
• Fossils formation, identification,
  interpretation
• Interpreting geologic history relative and
  absolute dating
• An overview of the geology of Illinois

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The Geology of LaSalle County Afternoon Session

• Lunch at Matthessien State Park
• The Park through the eyes of a geologist
• Surficial processes erosion of the canyon, slope
  failure, glaciation, flooding
• Rocks sedimentary rocks, fossils, EOD, glacial
  erratics
• Structure strike dip, LaSalle Anticline,
  fault, joints
• Evaluation

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Disadvantages

• Takes time preparation presentation
• Takes effort planning research
• Non-technical audience
• Bad students (rare)

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Advantages

• A chance to share what you know
• Contribute to your community
• Meet people interested in geology
• Appreciative audience (feels good)
• A personal refresher on the basics
• A little pocket money

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Your Turn

• Identify a mini-course program.
• Contact the coordinator.
• Spread the word about geology.