Historical Buildings as Subject of School Petrological Field Trip
At many secondary schools, geology is taught by geography and biology teachers. The aim of this paper is to provide them with a draft of a geological school field trip focused on rocks. It facilitates preparation of a petrological field trip that makes use of an urban environment. The paper describes a route running through the New Town and the Old Town in Prague that enables pupils to learn about various rocks which are used as building materials for historical monuments. The route is designed in such a way that makes it possible for teachers and their pupils to undergo it on foot and to see various rocks, namely marlite, sandstone, granite, travertine, serpentinite, marble, and slate. Buildings that can be seen on this route were built in various historical periods. They are a Romanesque rotunda, Gothic town halls, a Baroque church, Neo-Renaissance buildings, and edifices built in a variety of modern styles during the 20th century. Furthermore, the text summarizes advice for teachers on how to prepare such a trip in other quarters of Prague or in another city, and how to modify it by turning attention to sculptures, paving, or the interiors of edifices. The paper refers to literature suited for the preparation of this kind of excursion in Prague. The text also suggests tasks for pupils. This type of field trip is appropriate as well as for pupils of lower and higher secondary schools. Its greatest benefits lie in strengthening connections between subjects that seemingly have nothing to do with one another (geology and history), the pupils getting to know their home town, and cultivating the pupils’ sense for fine arts.
rocks, petrology teaching, geological field trip, historical buildings
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