The really useful geologist

By the end of this talk I hope you will: appreciate why geologists are useful; recognise why geology is an excellent career choice; understand more about geologists’ value to society; realise how you may become an essential player in the Planet’s fight for survival; acknowledge that Earth science needs to be communicated in ways that will interest and involve pupils, teachers - and the public at large.

Why Geology? Interest in mind boggling concepts of time and space: - events that took seconds & happened this morning - events that took millions of years & happened hundreds of millions of years ago?

Why Geology? Interest in the Earth’s environments today Interest in the Earth’s past environments

Interest in volcanic hazards Why Geology?

Interest in making a small fortune! Interest in working in new/exciting places

How can geologists be really useful?

Geology in the world of work To find out more click on this button

What makes a geologist so useful? Team working Adaptability Problem solving Planning Initiative Communication Analytical Flexibility Spatial visualisation Inter-disciplinary thinking Understanding of Earth systems Creativity Imagination

Will there be opportunities for geologists in the future?  Geology is the bedrock of every economy  Everything material that we possess is either dug from the Earth or grown in its soil  Geologists can do good & save lives!  The Earth is under pressure - so there are plenty of challenges for geologists & Earth scientists

Meeting the challenges!

Understanding natural hazards Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Wild fires Solar storms

Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Wild fires Solar storms Understanding natural hazards

Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Wild fires Solar storms

Understanding natural hazards Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Wild fires Solar storms

Understanding natural hazards Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Landslides Wild fires Solar storms

Understanding changing climate

Geoengineering e.g. carbon sequestration

Assessing future energy & water resources

Studying deep time topics Earth systems are complex - to understand the physical, biological and chemical processes involved scientists have to study records of these processes over geologic time. Palaeobiology Palaeoclimates Crustal evolution and dynamics Resources Topics for study include:

How are deep time topics important? Give time scales for past climate shifts Show biosphere’s reaction to environmental change Allow prediction of future environmental changes Provide records of past crustal deformation Help with management of energy resources (oil, gas, coal, uranium & geothermal) and water resources.

“Growing” the geoscientists of the future

Who said? “During my second year at Edinburgh [ ] I attended Jameson's lectures on Geology and Zoology, but they were incredible dull. The sole effect they produced on me was the determination never as long as I lived to read a book on Geology.” — Charles Darwin

“I have tried lately to read Shakespeare, and found it so intolerably dull that it nauseated me.” — Charles Darwin

Teaching methods Capturing the excitement of discovery Engaging your ‘audience’ in genuine inquiry Thinking about how Earth processes work Seeing the Earth around us in a new light Using simple models to provide opportunities to experience the process of doing science

Teaching ideas  A geologic time scale from a toilet roll  From an orange to the whole Earth  The Himalayas in 30 seconds  Quake – will my home collapse?  Rock, rattle & roll  High flow, low flow: atmosphere & ocean in a tank  Stress, strain – and sweets  Swiss roll folds  Banana benders  Laying down the principles

Sharing ideas

GRAVELCRUNCHINMARSBARMUNCHIN HAMMERTAPPINFEATUREMAPPIN ROCKBASHINMINERALTESTIN FOSSILKILLINNEVERLATEIN FIELDWORKINALWAYSRAININ MUDWALLOWINWELLYWEARIN... USEFUL GEOLOGISTS!

References Earth Science Teachers’ Association – information on a career in teaching Careers advice Why it’s still good time to be a geologist! Geology in the 21 st Century – the Geo Vision report An autobiography of Charles Darwin and selected letters. Francis Darwin (Ed.) New York, Dover, Innovative, Earth-related teaching ideas

The really useful geologist