Countywide : World of Effort Pays for Geology Teacher

With all the concrete that has been poured in the Los Angeles Basin, it’s easy to overlook the powerful geological forces that are constantly at work, says Sue Hayden, a science instructor at El Camino Real Continuation High School in Placentia.

It’s easy, that is, until the next earthquake, landslide, flood or other natural disaster.

Hayden spent 1,500 hours developing a course on geology of the basin. The curriculum recently earned her top honors among Orange County teachers in a program sponsored by Toshiba America, the Encouraging Excellence in Science Education Award.

Other award winners were instructors Maureen E. Allen of Brywood Elementary School in Irvine and Christine K. Cantrell of Hewes Middle School in Santa Ana.

“I try to make people aware of how the communities interact with the geology,” said Hayden, who has taught at El Camino Real for two decades.

“These processes of the past and present aren’t obvious at all,” she said, due to widespread urbanization and the slow pace of geologic time.

During the 14-week course, Hayden’s students learn about plate tectonics, the historical role of streams and the importance of natural resources such as water and petroleum.

Students at the continuation school also create maps of the basin using photographs taken from space by satellite. They draw in hills, earthquake faults, oil fields, rivers, flood-control basins and other points of interest.

“Attendance improves; they enjoy working on it,” Hayden said. “They come in and work on it during their lunch break and before and after school. They take it home too.”

Hayden said the satellite photos are so detailed that urban landmarks such as Disneyland and Anaheim Stadium can be spotted easily. Even El Camino Real can be found, if you know where to look.

“You can see a little gray spot,” she said. “That’s our school.”