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Earth and Environmental Science Summer Field Program

Subtitle

Explore Earth and Environmental Science in Western Wisconsin

Intro

Society is facing significant environmental challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and contamination, resource depletion, major changes in global energy production, and the long-term ecological impact of population growth. Scientists are actively working on improving these challenges, and you can be a part of the solution! Join us for an exciting week of exploring various aspects of earth and environmental science.

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Course Details

Dates: June 23-28, 2024

Details: Participants will arrive at UW-Eau Claire on Sunday, June 23 at 5pm to check into dorms. Two teaching assistants will stay in the dorms with participants as chaperones. We will provide dinner and a meet & greet Sunday evening. Field experiences will take place during the day Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28. The program will end on Friday, June 28 at 2pm. Participants are responsible for finding transportation to/from UWEC on June 23 and June 28. Additional details about the program will be communicated with participants after acceptance.

Example Schedule from 2023:

Day	Activities
1	Field trip to Big Falls (Fall Creek, WI) and Irvine Park (Chippewa Falls, WI) to evaluate rock formations, explore how water interacts with rocks to change landscape. Hands-on economic minerals activity and lab experience. Evening Activity: Dinner and games at downtown arcade
2	Field trip to Devil’s Punchbowl, Covia sand mine, and Cardinal Glass (Menomonie, WI) to see how sand is used in industry. Seminar with UWEC alumna, Anna Breckman, environmental consultant at Cedar Corps. Evening Activity: Movie night at dorms
3	Field trip to Wissota Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Chippewa River (Chippewa Falls, WI). Field trip to Sonnentag geothermal installation project. Career panel with geologists and environmental scientists. Evening Activity: Board games at dorms
4	Installation of miniature groundwater well in Putnam Park (UWEC Campus). Field trip to the Eau Claire Municipal Water Treatment Plant. Water Quality Measurements in the Chippewa River in Riverview Park (after a swim break!). Evening Activity: Live music and food truck dinner at Phoenix Park downtown
5	Tour and activities in UWEC geochemical laboratory, analytical techniques for answer different earth science-related questions.

Dr. Sarah A Vitale, Ph.D.

she/her/hers

Geology and Environmental Science Department

Associate Professor

Phillips Hall 155
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-836-4300

vitalesa@uwec.edu

Scott K. Clark, Ph.D.

he/him

Geology and Environmental Science Department

Department Chair

Professor

154 Phillips Hall
Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-836-2958

clarksco@uwec.edu

Kent Syverson

Geology and Environmental Science Department

Professor

Development Officer

Phillips Hall 145
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702

715-836-3676

syverskm@uwec.edu

I am a professor and a glacial geologist who has studied glacial landforms and processes in Wisconsin, Maine, and Alaska. I teach Oceanography, Geomorphology, and the Responsible Mining Seminar. I also coordinate paid internships in our program and serve as a STEM Development Officer with the UWEC Foundation.

Robert Lodge, Ph.D.

Geology and Environmental Science Department

Associate Professor

Phillips Science Hall 151
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-836-4361

lodgerw@uwec.edu

My research is focused on Precambrian metallogeny and magmatic-hydrothermal systems. I specialize in mineralizing volcanic environments and reconstructing tectonic/magmatic settings to better assess regional- and property-scale mineral potential. My students and I have conducted field- and lab-based studies on volcanogenic massive sulfide, komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu, and syenite-associated Au deposits.