Caverns to Premiere Geology Electronic Fieldtrip

Date: December 4, 2006
Contact: Bridget Litten, 505.785.3024
Contact: Marjorie Thomas, 505.785.3127

On the heels of two other very successful electronic fieldtrips, Carlsbad Caverns National Park premiered Caves: An Underground Wonderland on December 1. In October 2005, the park premiered Bats: Fantastic Mammals of Flight; and in April 2006, the park hosted Exploring Nature’s Plumbing System: Caves of the National Parks, a Ball State University production that culminated in a live broadcast from Carlsbad Cavern with 37 million viewers.

Focusing on geology, Caves: An Underground Wonderlandwill teach students and other participants basic geology concepts, as well as specific information about the geology of the Carlsbad Caverns/Guadalupe Mountains area. Carlsbad Caverns is sponsoring this electronic fieldtrip as a way to teach students across the country—who may not ever have a chance of visiting the park—basic geologic concepts, why and how caves are important resources, and to offer a glimpse into the wonders of Carlsbad Cavern and other park caves. The eFieldTrip will be available from November 22 through the end of the school year.

This eFieldTrip has four components:

1. Virtual Visit. An interactive multi-media web experience that students can complete at their own pace.
2. Trip Journal. A worksheet that teachers can download for students to complete as they participate in the Virtual Visit.
3. Ask an Expert. Students can post questions to the eFieldTrip website December 13 through December 15 and receive an answer from an expert within one to two days.
4. Live Chat. Students can phone in their questions to a “live” park ranger. Check the website for the actual January 2007 date.

Anyone who has internet access at school or at home can participate! There is no cost for schools or students to register. Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers this program as a free educational outreach opportunity.

For more information or to register for the eFieldTrip, go to www.eFieldTrips.org/. For more information about the park’s electronic fieldtrips or other education opportunities, contact the park’s education office at 505.785.3127.