The Niagara Escarpment is a whole lot closer for McMaster geology and earth sciences students, thanks to collaboration between McMaster and the City of Hamilton.

The donation of escarpment rock from City construction sites for the purposes of landscape enhancement to the Main Street entrance to campus has resulted in the creation of an outdoor classroom in which students can study escarpment geology literally in their own backyard.

With the expert help of Carolyn Eyles, professor of geology and earth sciences, and Sean Fletcher, instructional assistant, rocks with significant educational value were selected and placed in front of the General Sciences building, creating a rock garden where classes can learn about escarpment layers, formations and fossils such as corals and sponges. Previously, some travel was needed in order to give students an up-close view of the topics they were studying in class.

"The rock garden allows us to make theoretical class work tangible," said Fletcher, who has developed new lab assignments for students based on the creation of the outdoor classroom. "Concepts that are incredibly difficult to illustrate in the classroom come to life right outside our door."

The escarpment stones also link McMaster, well-known for its picturesque campus, to its native geography.

"We have one of the most beautiful university campuses in the country," said Barb Rabicki, landscape designer with Facility Services. "The teaching garden allows us to celebrate our unique natural surroundings."

The University will use other escarpment stones donated by the City to complete the landscape enhancement at its Main Street entrance.

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