College of Science, Cal Poly PomonaThe College of Science seeks to build on the successful BioTrek informal science educational area by developing a Geological Science exhibit area in the courtyard of Building 3. As the existing BioTrek area does, these new exhibits are envisioned to be a resource for visiting K-12 groups, an outdoor classroom for current Cal Poly students and a soothing environmental area for all Cal Poly faculty, staff and students.
These outdoor displays would utilize some of the courtyard area of Building 3 and part of the pedestrian pathway on the south side of building 3. The central theme is the geology and geologic development (history) of the local region. This would include large, boulder size, labeled rock specimens representative of the San Gabriel Mountains, and the local Los Angeles / San Bernardino valleys. The labels would include a formal rock name, age, and brief interpretive description. The igneous and metamorphic and sedimentary rock specimens would reinforce laboratory experiences with rock identification. Sedimentary rocks in the exhibit would be suitable for students to measure the spatial orientation of the specimens. Any visitor would, via the interpretative statements, get a quick "semi-virtual" field trip through the geologic development of the local area. Depending on continued financial support, a flowing stream, water element, will be included. It would permit classes to measure stream flow and study fluid flow dynamics.
Displays from Geology and other disciplines are also planned for the pedestrian walkway area. The pedestrian sidewalk between the Building 3 courtyard entrance westward to the BioTrek exhibit would tie the ancient to the modern. Geologic time markers and key events in earth history, eg. Life originates, "age of the dinosaurs", etc. would be depicted, either by signage or by "mosaics" in the concrete.
Physics and Geology have developed designs for analemma markers for this walkway. An analemma, that figure eight seen on many globes, charts the apparent motion of the sun over the course of a year. The two prototypes of analemmas 
that have been constructed have drawn considerable interest, been used in instructional contexts and have generally and genuinely fascinated passers-by. Historically much legend, as well as religious and cultural "events" have revolved around the seasonal change in solar position. We plan to include interpretative statements / icons identifying the use of the sun in various cultures. Other displays may include interactive elements such as sound mirrors. The monitoring of solar radiation, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, etc. would not only assist in classroom instruction, but would provide a valuable campus set of real-time data regarding meteorologic conditions.
