Geology class added to LR choices

Geology will be taught at Lake Roosevelt High School beginning this fall.

“It’s a natural fit,” Superintendent Paul Turner stated, “given the area we live in and the rich geology surroundings of the Grand Coulee area.”

The new science course will be taught by Mark Vinciguerra, who will begin his second year at Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School.

Vinciguerra said last week that students in the geology class will not work from a traditional textbook, but from an accumulation of materials, largely from the National Park Service.

He said that there is no prerequisite required for students to sign up for the class.

Since most students have already made out their schedules, Vinciguerra expects some to make changes so they can take geology.

The course will include a laboratory experience, and Vinciguerra expects that there will be at least some emphasis on geological events that occurred in the local area.

It’s really “a work in progress,” Vinciguerra stated Thursday.

He said that he is currently accumulating materials from the internet and expects to receive new material from the NPS in time to use it as part of his teaching material.

“I expect the second year material will be somewhat different than the first year,” the teacher stated. He expects that the class will end up with about 20 students. The geology class will be for both upper- and lower-grade students.

Vinciguerra came to the district from western Washington, where he spent some time filling in for teachers who were away from their regular assignments.

He has his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University and his master’s from Ohio State University. This fall he will begin his sixth year of teaching.