See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Geoscience Education I: Learning Geoscience in the Outdoor Classroom
Abstract:
Past projects have focused on sites of cultural and historical significance, including studies of abandoned slave era cemeteries in the Houston and surrounding area. In summer 2007, participants studied an abandoned cemetery located in Prairie View, Texas, using ground-penetrating radar to search for unmarked graves. Participants identified numerous anomalies that were consistent with unmarked burials. Two of these anomalies were excavated and confirmed as burials. In summer 2008, participants will acquire radar data at the San Jacinto Battlefield Park in La Porte, Texas. The park is thought to contain unmarked burials from the early 1800's, as well as numerous in-situ artifacts from the battle between the Texas and Mexican armies.
In ESCI 515, participants experience the process of science first-hand and use geophysics for community service (i.e. restoring an abandoned cemetery, discovering historical artifacts, etc.). Through background research, they derive a rich historical context for their investigation and learn to appreciate the multi-disciplinary aspect of solving real-world scientific problems.
See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Geoscience Education I: Learning Geoscience in the Outdoor Classroom