UC to host free, public geoscience events

College students, high school students interested in geosciences and families with young children who like fossils all can participate in two free geoscience events this April.  

The events, planned and hosted by the University of Cincinnati and other local universities, will include a virtual open house with geoscience professionals and two outdoor walks designed to provide guests a hands-on learning experience. 

Now that the weather is finally warming up, there is no better time to get out and learn alongside professional geologists and other geology aficionados. 

As part of the joint North-Central and Southeastern Geological Society of America 2022 Section Meeting in Cincinnati from April 7 to 9, the events are free to the public and intended to bring attention to geoscience for both aspiring professionals and hobbyists.

“The geoscience events happening are a great opportunity for individuals and families in the Cincinnati area to learn about local geology,” says Meg Corcoran, PhD candidate in the department of geology.

“Fellow geology graduate students on the planning committee, Andrea Corpolongo, Zeke King Phillips, Emily Simpson, and I are excited about these upcoming events because they will allow for scientists to share their knowledge and expertise of geology with the public.”

The first event titled “Directions in Geosciences Research and Careers” is a virtual open house event where faculty, graduate students and geoscience professionals will meet with local high school students to discuss geoscience research and careers. 

“This unique opportunity will let students ask questions about attending college for a science and about pursuing a career in the geosciences,” Corcoran says.

This event will be held on April 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom.

The second event, which will be held on Saturday, April 9, is titled “Geosciences in the Park” held at two different area parks, Eden Park and Trammel Fossil Park. At both locations, attendees will meet with local geoscience experts to talk about the geology of the Cincinnati metro area. 

At Eden Park, local experts from the Ohio Geologic Survey will discuss the famous hills and valleys of the Cincinnati metro region in addition to natural hazards that occur from these characteristics. Guests will meet at Spencer Overlook located at Cliff Dr., Cincinnati, OH. 

At Trammel Fossil Park, guests will have the opportunity to dig for fossils alongside geologists. Trammel Fossil Park, which is part of Sharonville, was covered by a vast inland sea 450 million years ago. Now, the area is full of the fossils of the creatures that once lived there. Attendees can meet in the Trammel Fossil Park parking lot located at 11989 Tramway Drive, Sharonville, OH.

“The Geosciences in the Park event at Eden Park and Trammel Fossil Park is a great opportunity for the Cincinnati community to learn about the formation of Cincinnati landscapes from experts,” Corcoran says.

Both events are free and run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9.

For more information or questions about the events, visit the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science or contact Meg Corcoran at corcormc@mail.uc.edu or Zeke King Phillips at kingphej@mail.uc.edu. 

The North-Central and Southeastern Geological Society of America 2022 Section Meeting, hosted by UC and several other universities, will bring hundreds of geologists, academics and students to Duke Energy Center April 7 - 8 to showcase scholarship in the field.

Featured image at top: Stream and waterfall in woods. Credit/Dan Meyer/Unsplash