During the summer of 2024, a team from the School of Earth and Space Science of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) embarked on a field trip to the Alps and visited the Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP). The team included 15 sophomore students and 4 teachers (Prof. DENG Zhengbin, Prof. LENG Wei, Prof. ZHANG Shaobing and QIAN Junhong).
Beginning on August 22nd, the 11-day visit aimed to broaden the international perspective of geoscience for undergraduates and to establish collaborative relations with the IPGP.
The field trip team in Paris. (Photo by USTC)
The tour started with a brief stay in Paris. Prof. DENG Zhengbin introduced some of the city’s landmarks and cultural background, offering the students a glimpse into the culture of France.
The team on the field trip to the Alps. (Photo by USTC)
Accompanied by 4 French teachers (Prof. Christian Sue, Prof. Frederic Moynier and Prof. Sebastien Charnoz and Researcher Dimitri Rigoussen), the field trip commenced on August 25th, with Prof. Arnaud Agranier providing online guidance. During the trip, the team observed typical landforms around the Alps, with the French Professors offering engaging interpretation. “The formation of the Alps involves a series of complex tectonic processes,” Prof. Sue explained, “leaving valuable data and questions for geoscience."
Students collecting rock samples in the Alps. (Photo by QIAN Junhong)
Students listening to an on-spot lecture in the field. (Photo by Prof. ZHANG Shaobing)
On their last night in the Alps, the team held a stargazing activity under the guidance of Prof. Charnoz, who delivered a captivating lecture on astronomy under the stars in the Alps, garnering enthusiastic responses from the students.
A lecture under the starlight. (Photo by Prof. DENG Zhengbin)
After 5 days in the Alps, Prof. Moynier welcomed the team to the IPGP on August 30th. At the institute, the students learned about the latest instruments for geoscience research and visited the office where Marie Curie discovered radium.
Professor at IPGP introducing experiment instruments. (Photo by Prof. DENG Zhengbin)
Besides this visit, the international communication played an important role in the trip. “This experience offers undergraduates a valuable opportunity to cultivate a global view and cultural awareness”, noted Prof. DENG, the team leader, “which can be beneficial in their future scientific endeavors.”
Students discussing with Professors from IPGP. (Photo by QIAN Junhong)
On the night of their arrival at IPGP, the team held a stargazing activity under the guidance of Prof. Charnoz, who delivered a captivating lecture on astronomy under the stars in the Alps, garnering enthusiastic responses from the students.
The field trip ended on September 1st, marking the success of the first collaborative field program between the School of Earth and Space Science of USTC and the IPGP. This initiative fosters international cooperation and broaden the horizons for undergraduates. “After this trip, I realized that geoscience is not just about studying stones, but a dramatic epic of our earth”, commented ZHANG Xingtai, one of the sophomore team members. Participants from IPGP also spoke highly of this program and expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration.
Looking ahead, both USTC and IPGP hope to establish more partnerships, allowing students to apply the insights gained from this experience in practical settings, ultimately enriching their academic and professional journeys.
(Written by SHI Yutian, edited by ZHANG Yihang, USTC News Center)
