Online Education Portal
Bringing Earth science to the (virtual) classroom
About Our Educational Portal
Below BC is working with geologists, institutions and other professional bodies to create a range of online educational resources. The primary aim is to create a “virtual experience” which provides instructors with material to use for class assignments and students material to access that they might not otherwise have access to.
Each module contains data that encompasses a topic or geographic area. Information is free to use and can be downloaded and used in exercises. Although these will not replace field schools totally, these projects will allow access to learning when travel is restricted and also allow for a broader range of in-class activities that might not otherwise be available.
Information can be used in conjunction with our interactive map to view specimens from museum or private collections in the area. We are always looking for ways to improve these or take donations of teaching material created for these modules that we can share!
We are currently looking for sponsors to fund the compilation of these modules including visiting sites to take high quality imagery and collect samples / data. Corporate sponsorship is especially welcomed! To discuss sponsorship, please contact us or visit our GoFundMe page!
Module Overview
In this module we explore the 40-million year old sediments, environment and ecosystem of ancient Kitsilano and urban Vancouver. Fossils indicate a productive forest with a rich plant diversity, while sediments show an active drainage system of rivers, lagoons and coastal plains.
For Instructors
This module includes raw data, imagery and reference material to create class activities related to structural geology, GIS, paleoenvironments and paleontology. High quality images allow students to make thorough observations, take measurements and interpret data as they would in class.
Keywords:
sedimentology, fossils, paleoenvironments, plants, igneous, dykes, structures
Elements:
raw field data, rock sample images, gigapan sections, fossil collection, reference papers, base maps
Module Overview
Working in conjunction with the Smithers Exploration Group, this module builds upon established geotours and professional talks about the geology of the region. The Hazelton area is a key site for mineral deposits and the conjunction of geological and tectonic terranes, and boasts a range of accessible outrcrops from volcanic material to ancient lake beds.
For Instructors
Below BC includes hundreds of digital specimens from the Smithers Exploration Group “Rock Room” which are associated to sites within the region. This is further augmented by gigapan imagery and raw field data that can be used to build classes from.
Students can explore an interactive geological map with multiple layers to help tie in the data on a regional scale.
NOTE: This module is currently under development and will be updated regularly.
Module Overview
Sites along Highway 3 in southern BC are used extensively by universities for field skills training. This route will take in several mine sites, engineering works such as Othello Tunnels, fossil beds around Princeton and Oliver, mineral showings and the Hope Slide. Several sites around Keremeos and Osoyoos have been used as residential field schools.
For Instructors
Below BC has several digital historic collections from this area that can be incorporated into a larger educational module. Gigapan images will be used to capture outcrops and sections, complimented by digitized hand samples, for a virtual classroom experience.
Module Overview
This is the classic trip for schools in the Lower Mainland as it is easily accessible and covers a lot of interesting geology, structure, geomorphology and heritage aspects of BC’s past. The route would start in North Vancouver and continue to Pemberton.
For Instructors
Below BC plans on taking a series of gigapan images of roadside outcrops (i.e. basalt columns, glacially striated rocks). We will also take large scale landscape images, collect hand samples for scanning and incorporate elements such as Britannia Mine.
Sponsor this Module!
Below BC is looking for sponsorship to complete this module (estimated cost $10,000). Sponsors will have their logos permanently on generated content and promoted through social media channels.
Module Overview
Building on work started in 2019, Below BC will return to the area between Cranbrook and the BC-Alberta border to produce virtual field trips at several key sites, including Kimberley, Cranbook, Frank Slide and (hopefully) access to local coal operations.
For Instructors
We will continue to work with the East Kooteney Chamber of Mines, Sullivan Mine Museum and other partners in the are to focus on mineral wealth and historic mining. There are also several exciting new fossil sites being discovered in the area that we may be able to access.
Sponsor this Module!
Below BC is looking for sponsorship to complete this module (estimated cost $14,000). Sponsors will have their logos permanently on generated content and promoted through social media channels.
Module Overview
This is another well used route for BC institutions which is used to teach field skills and exhibit a range of geological and tectonic settings. The route will include the Sunshine Coast, Texada Island, eastern Vancouver Island and Hornby Island. This trip offers the chance to digitize specimens held in the Courtenay Museum and the Royal BC Museum.
For Instructors
High quality gigapan sections will accompany a range of digital hand samples and field data that can be used in an online classroom environment. The route is designed to access different geological settings, mineralization and tectonic events and explore prehistoric life of British Columbia.
Sponsor this Module!
Below BC is looking for sponsorship to complete this module (estimated cost $14,000). Sponsors will have their logos permanently on generated content and promoted through social media channels.