#WhyEarthSci
A collection of tweets about why people ended up doing Earth Science degrees. Compiled and sorted by Tim Wright (@timwright_leeds)
- On Friday afternoon (8 February 2013) I posted a question on twitter, prompted by the lack of exciting Earth Science in the new UK Key Stage 4 national science curriculum (for pupils aged 14-16 years).
- I really wanted to know whether people were inspired by science teachers at school, geography classes, TV documentaries, or just by a desire to learn more about our incredible planet. And I also wanted to know how many people came to Earth Sciences late (like me), having their heads turned away from the subject they intended to study whilst at University.The response to my tweet has already been fantastic... #WhyEarthSci had racked up about 100 uses on twitter by the time I started to collate the results here on Saturday evening.So here are all the responses to date. I've tried to organise them.... some responses fit in multiple categories.Obviously this is by no means a scientific or rigorous survey of all the reasons that people ended up studying Earth Sciences, notably because the geo-twitterati are by their very nature the most enthusiastic and evangelical about their subject, and also because my tweet has probably reached those who remained in academia preferentially to those that had careers in industry. Nevertheless, I think they make a pretty interesting collection.Also bear in mind this caution from Sara Mynott:
@timwright_leeds ahem... too many reasons for one little tweet - Earth Science is amazing! #WhyEarthSci- Anyway, here you go:
- 1. Love of the great outdoors / inspired by nature (or dinosaurs, volcanoes, earthquakes...)
. @timwright_leeds I visited Mt St Helens at the age of 5 and like to think I have been studying volcanoes for over 20 years... #WhyEarthSci
@timwright_leeds Climbing at the age of 16 at the walls of Las Cañadas Caldera (Tenerife). Looking at Teide volcano. WOW! #WhyEarthSci
@timwright_leeds Discovered volcanoes at the age of 7, accumulated a rock, fossil + mineral collection and wanted to know more #WhyEarthSci
@timwright_leeds I fell in love with tectonics, glaciers and coasts! Reminds me the strength of the worlds natural processes #WhyEarthSci
Because I got to play in the mountains and travel all over RT @timwright_leeds: Why did you do an Earth Science Degree? #WhyEarthSci
@timwright_leeds #WhyEarthSci sailing since I was 8, surfing since 12 - water just makes you want to keep learning more! #oceanography
#WhyEarthSci My dad always used to bring home rock samples when I was younger and I grew up fascinated by rocks, minerals and volcanoes
#WhyEarthSci - 1. it was an excuse to be outside & call it work 2. it appealed to my broad interest in natural sciences 3. biology was full.
#WhyEarthSci Loved volcanoes;wanted to save the planet. Had to start by understanding it, got stuck doing that bit. @timwright_leeds
@VolcanoJenni @timwright_leeds Exact same story with me! Except that I started with rock'n'roll first (worked in music biz) before volcanoes
Three reasons; dinosaurs, earthquakes and volcanoes RT “@timwright_leeds: Why did you do an Earth Science Degree? #WhyEarthSci” #Geology
#WhyEarthSci I lived close to where Antrim basalts overlie chalk overlying Lias clay - zeolites,belemnites and Devils Toenails - blame them
“@timwright_leeds: Why did you do an Earth Science Degree? #WhyEarthSci” Because the subject just fascinated me!
#WhyEarthSci because I love science and the environment so put it together and bam!
Went to Yellowstone, saw geysers erupt and rocks form before my eyes; was hooked. The Earth is beautiful. #WhyEarthSci ..oh and field trips.
@timwright_leeds Earth science was mix of grubby & clean science plus great outdoors is the lab #geologyrocks
Watched walking with dinosaurs religiously as a child and decided I wanted a degree that rocks! #WhyEarthSci
Did you find this story interesting? like or comment as 3 already did!
Liked!
- Andrew AldenBlogged at http://geology.about.com/b/2013/02/10/what-drew-us-to-geoscience.htm2013-02-11T03:31:42.405Z
- Cold Ass Honkylove it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up...more2013-02-10T23:41:56.190Z
- Cold Ass Honkylove it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up...more2013-02-10T23:41:56.017Z
- Andrew AldenBlogged at http://geology.about.com/b/2013/02/10/what-drew-us-to-geoscience.htm2013-02-11T03:31:42.405Z
- Cold Ass Honkylove it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up...love it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up, and my fortunate Math results meant I could study Geography as an extra GCSE which made me fall in love with the subject.more2013-02-10T23:41:56.190Z
- Cold Ass Honkylove it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up...love it, I'm in first year of college and l'm looking forward to study earth sciences at university :-) always had a passion for the environment as I grew up, and my fortunate Math results meant I could study Geography as an extra GCSE which made me fall in love with the subject.more2013-02-10T23:41:56.017Z
