Geophysics in the high school STEM setting

Abstract

In 2014, Bartlesville High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA, started an advanced math applications class as part of its new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program. Selected exploration geophysics topics were incorporated as part of the class. Four of the class students in the 2017–2018 school year completed independent study of various topics in seismic acquisition design for science fair projects. The contents of this paper are the findings of those science fair projects. Contents include generating evenly distributed fold for compressional wave surveys (P-P), evenly distributed fold for converted-wave surveys (P-S), evenly distributed fold for ocean-bottom-cable/seismometer surveys (P-P), and offset/depth relations for validity of using the asymptotic approximation for converted-wave surveys (P-S).