90-12 Detrital Zircon Geochronology as a Tool for Student Engagement in Understudied Communities

Session: Diversifying Geoscience Education Across the Academic Playing Field: Using Creative Methods to Foster the Current and Next Generations of Geoscience Professionals, Part I

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Over-aged, under-credited students from New York City report a lack of connection to their natural environment, particularly their local geology. One approach to re-engaging underserved high school students is through participatory research in place-based geology. In the South Bronx, one open question is the provenance of local metasedimentary rocks and whether these rocks originated prior to the assembly of Pangea. A related open question is the location of a major terrane boundary, often called Cameron’s Line, which separates Laurentian rocks from those of a Gondwanan affinity.

In collaboration with Kingsborough Community College, the American Museum of Natural History and local community organizations, students from Bronx Arena High school used the lens of detrital zircon geochronology to sample, process, and date zircon crystals from the Bronx River to better understand their community’s Proterozoic origins and contribute to ongoing research. Students then presented their work to their peers and later at New York’s Long Island Geology Conference at Stonybrook University. All participant students reported an increased interest in the long-term study of geology, and a stronger connection and affinity for their local community.

Place-based, inquiry-driven geology offers a unique opportunity for under-represented students to contribute to the study of their communities and develop connections to their local geology and geography. Furthermore, the study of detrital zircon can meaningfully re-engage students who have struggled in traditional high school environments. Finally, participatory science offers a meaningful avenue for geologists and researchers to expand their impact, and accelerate scientific discoveries.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

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