Students enrolled in Earth’s Dynamics at the University of North Dakota (UND) had the opportunity to take their studies from the classroom to the Jay Cooke State Park during a recent field trip. Led by their professor, Dongmei Wang, students in the geological, civil, and petroleum engineering programs participated in hands-on geo-engineering challenges at the park’s 2-billion-year-old Thompson Precambrian Formation and historic Thompson Dam hydroelectric project.
During the trip, students practiced field techniques, delved into geological concerns, and used Brunton compasses to measure rock formations’ dip and strike orientations. The trip also aimed to help students tackle practical geo-engineering problems while enhancing critical thinking and observation skills.