NORTH AMERICA FIELD TRIP 2007

Toronto and Waterloo, Southern Ontario, Canada, North America

In late May 2007, a field trip to the Southern Ontario, Canada, North America was organized by the Department of Geography and Resource Management. This was the first time for the department to organize a trip to the North America. A total of 26 undergraduate students have joined the trip together with Prof. Fung Tung as trip leader and Mr. Wong Kwan Kit, Frankie as Graduate Assistant. Special thanks are given to Prof. Gunter Gad from the University of Toronto; Prof. Paul Parker, Prof. Gordon Nelson, Prof. Ellsworth LeDrew, Prof. Bruce Mitchell, Ms. Zhao Suping and Ms. Susie Castela from the Department of Geography, University of Waterloo for their assistance in organizing the trip as well as comprehensive guidance and explanation during our trip.

Prof. Gunter Gad	Prof. Paul Parker
Prof. Gordan Nelson	Prof. Ellsworth LeDrew

The Study Group

The Study Mode

Field trips of the department encourage students to study a variety of topics in Geography. Before the trip, 26 students are divided into 6 groups. Each group is assigned a special topic concerning the studies either in Toronto or Kitchener-Waterloo (KW), which is shown in the itinerary below. Students are required to search and gather information, read relevant articles related to the topic assigned. We have scheduled two meeting sections for the students to present their findings. During the trip, various study modes including lectures, guided tours as well as fieldwork such as land-use and questionnaire survey are conducted.

Itinerary of the Trip

May 17	Departure to Toronto
May 18	Free Day: local orientation in Toronto
May 19	Urban development in downtown Toronto
May 20	Toronto waterfront revitalization programme and Chinese Diaspora
May 21	Travel from Toronto to Waterloo Free Day: local orientation in Waterloo
May 22	Industrial Transformation and Economic Development Toyota Motor Manufacturing Centre Waterloo Research and Technology Park
May 23	Environment and Land Use Planning in Waterloo: Region and Grand River Watershed Grand River Conservation Authority: Heritage river, floodplain management, Watershed Planning
May 24	Remote Sensing: Urban and Water/Ice/Snow Related Research Remote Sensing Projects at Waterloo: The Canadian Cryospheric Information Network The IPY Canadian Metadata Master Directory The World Bank Coral Reef Project Waste Management and Water Conservation Erb St. Landfill Site, Waterloo Moraine, urban growth pressures
May 25	Geomorphology and International tourism: Niagara Falls Specialized agriculture: ice wine production: Niagara vineyards
May 26	High Park, Toronto Self exploration
May 27	Departure to Hong Kong

Assessment

This field trip allowed studesnts to fulfill a compulsory course requirement for all major students. Assessments for the students are based on their preparation, participation and presentation before as well as during the trip. Students (in group) are required to submit a detailed report concerning the topic of their study as well as preparing a website (in group) for the theme of their study.