At noon, a group of students walked the mountain road at Doi Kham, Chiang Mai, under the Sun's heat. With sweat rolling down their faces, each of them stalked the area with a rock hammer. After a while, they crouched down and broke apart a small chunk of rock with their tools. One of them poured out a droplet of acid. Suddenly, a fizz started to form on the rock.
Students take notes from observing fieldwork.
"This is limestone. The calcite in it is reacting to the acid," said Panthon Imemkamon excitedly. His friend collected another piece of rock and put it in a sealed polythene bag.
Panthon, a 17-year-old student from Triam Udom Suksa School, participated in the 10th Geoscience Camp in Chiang Mai earlier this month. It was organised by Chevron in order to allow chosen high school students to experience the life of a geologist, and learn from staff at Chiang Mai University.
The Chevron Geoscience Camp has been a decade-long effort to promote and educate high school students and the public in the field of geology — a lesser known career choice in an industry that has job opportunities.
Students take a hike around Doi Kham, Chiang Mai.
"Geology covers everything — all surface areas on Earth, and even underneath it," said Panthon. "It's something that surrounds us. For instance, if we drive past a mountain, we never know what a single rock lying there could tell us."
Panthon has always been interested in geology. When he found out online about the camp, he didn't hesitate to apply. After a tough selection process of a written exam and interview, he became one of the 26 participants at this year's camp, chosen from a pool of 900 applicants.
On their first day, students arrived in Chiang Mai from all over the country. But it wasn't until the second day that their work really began. The students got to visit the Department of Geological Sciences at Chiang Mai University, where they learnt about minerals, rocks, maps, compasses, aerial photos, surveys and geophysics.
The next day they were sent out on a trek. A map, compass, rock hammer and cap were given to each student, and they got a glimpse into the life of a geologist and what their working conditions can be like. Based on what they'd learnt the previous day, the students needed to make a geological map — presenting rock units and geologic data — of the Doi Kham area and present the results to their camp supervisors and peers.
"Three years worth of theory, as well as one month of fieldwork, boiled down to one day," said Assoc Prof Dr Pisanu Wongpornchai, lecturer from the Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science at Chiang Mai University. "We've given them the theory — the body of knowledge — and we've taken them to gather necessary data out in the field. If they can make a map as it should turn out to be, that is already a success for us."
Aside from the academic staff at Chiang Mai University, some of Chevron's employees also helped supervise the young campers. One of them was Pongtachchai Panachaiboonpipop, 23, an Earth scientist at Chevron.
Six years ago, Pongtachchai was one of the participants at the 4th Geoscience Camp, also held in Chiang Mai. Now, back as a mentor, he felt as though he was transported back in time.
"I still remember what I knew and didn't know back then. Now I have an idea of what sort of advice to give to the students," he said. The young scientist was also a role model for camp participants, being an example of where this camp could take them.
People only tend to be aware of geology when natural disasters, like tsunamis or earthquakes, strike. Students have little idea of what a career in this field involves. This, said Busaba Maphobphan, human resources manager at Chevron, results in a small number of students choosing to study geology.
"The industry needs more people to take this career path," said Busaba. "There is always a shortage of workers in the areas of energy, fuel, natural resources and geohazards."
Due to strong demand, the pay in this industry is relatively high, with 30,000 baht-plus a starting salary for new graduates working in the private sector. This should make more people interested in studying the subject, but perceived harsh working conditions put prospective students off, according to Asst Prof Dr Burapha Phajuy, head of Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science at Chiang Mai University.
"Thai universities could produce around 200 graduates in this field yearly," said Dr Burapha. "To be a geologist, or to work in any related fields, you need to enjoy the outdoor life. I wouldn't use the word 'tolerate' or 'put up with'. They carry a negative connotation. For me, you just need to be happy with the sun and the rain." A geologist's working space can be anything from an oil rig to a mountain top.
One of the camp's aims is for students to experience fieldwork. Participants are all studying in the 11th grade, and soon need to choose their undergraduate degree. Joining the camp means they can make an informed decision.
Chevron has been offering scholarships to some of the camp participants who choose to continue in the field of geology. So far, 35 grants have been given. Out of the 22 grant receivers who graduated, 13 now work for Chevron.
"With other fields, like engineering or medicine, students already get the image of what they'll be doing when they graduate. But society doesn't know much about geology," said Busaba. "We want them to get as much information as possible so they can make a decision for themselves, not only from what their parents and society tell them."
Pongtachchai Panachaiboonpipop, an Earth scientist at Chevron, inspects a rock.
Taking a rock sample.
Testing limestone with acid.
