2015 Feedback Sessions

And thus ends another CGS field school, this time an especially notable occasion as it was the 10-year anniversary of the programme! We ended this auspicious event with the usual fanfare, and much loathed, feedback sessions. 

Research topic presentations and the certificates of achievement being awarded by Nick Baglow, Mapping Geosciences Competency Manager

Also, we provided the the participants a platform to present their individual research assignments to a strict, and international, panel of experts (from the CGS). These presentations are becoming a very important facet of the field school as many have not had an opportunity to present in a professional communication manner. Feedback here is golden. 

                                       

Final certificates being handed over and the field school participants standing proud at their posters - some tough questions being asked by Henk Coetzee (far right)

There was of course a feedback session regarding the geological maps, cross sections and South African stratigraphic reports. The South African stratigraphy will now be deeply ingrained in many of our participants and will hopefully prove useful for their careers in the geosciences.

Overview of maps produced during the 2015 CGS field school

Overall, everybody performed exceptionally well and we wish them all of the best in the future.

The CGS field school will now look to the future and continue to evolve with the times, the Anthropogenic times that is. It is envisioned that the field of 2016 is going to be mind blowing - so watch this space! 

Feedback Session - Hello, Goodbye

Finally, we may officially close the Field School of 2014. This was done in dramatic fashion as our brave souls received feedback regarding their incredible maps, reports and mini-research reports. There were scenes of tears and screams as the most of the group was reunited among familiar faces and giant muffins. The muffins were much needed as we began a long process of listening attentively to each giving their report back on their individual research topics. Once more we were taken down memory lane thinking about the Barberton Greenstone Belt, The Karoo and all those lovely things seen during our trip. There were nerves of steel, and nerves of jelly, but all succeeded incredulously. Of course, a moment of silence was needed to remember those who did not survive the grueling field school and the lack of their lovely faces was clearly missed among the group, pity.

"Who's your lambs to the slaughter?!" All our wonderful field school participants, all grown (geologically), and teaching us something about something!

There was also time to look back at the marvelous geological maps created by our group. One sees colourful maps, but if one were to look really carefully, you may be lucky enough to make out the geo-poetry in them. What a wonderful sight to see! Our group left as lambs to the slaughter and they returned champions of the Gariep Belt, a treasure to behold for the rest of their lives. And now, hopefully, South African geology is all the better for it.

Are these really their maps?? Somewhere, somehow here are the million dollar products! Fanciful things, really. Great job all around - take a moment of silence for those we lost in geological cyberspace, their gaps will be remembered...

Previous field school participants were also seen this day, hiding in the crowd, no doubt remembering their wonderful times. Zwanga was asked about here experience back in her day, and she responded: "Mara, no shame, I must support them, I know the pain they suffered..."