"The way that Dr. Kemmis (and others) present information (during MidwestGeo webinars) is just very easy to understand...it feels like storytelling almost.
Going off of that, my background isn't actually geology. My undergrad degree was evolutionary biology and ecology, and I figured out way too late that I enjoyed rocks much more than living things. I ended up graduating a couple credits short from turning my geology minor into a degree itself. I (just recently) started working for (a consulting company), and a lot of it has been learning new things.
That being said, I was very excited when (they) got the (corporate training) subscription to Midwest Geosciences because it was an opportunity for someone like me to learn more in areas I was lacking.
I took one soil science class in college and your 'Taking the Mystery Out of the Subsurface' series was excellent in building off of what I already knew. The way you presented the information, in both a practical and informational way, was really easy for someone like me to understand, with my limited knowledge. You both conveyed it wonderfully and I was honestly sucked in at some points. I know that's a long winded way of saying you both can convey information in a way that is easy to listen to, understand, and is done in an enjoyable manner, but I figured the background was important.
Thank you again for your help. I'm looking forward to watching more."
- Anonymous (posted with permission, and encouragement)
"I had an incredible learning experience with 'Taking The Mystery Out of the Subsurface' online course. The Midwest GeoSciences Group presented the course in a manner that:
- (Began) with basic geologic principles in a manner that was easy to understand,
- Expanded with more advanced principles were as the webinar progressed,
- Included reference materials are suitable for field use,
- Allows practice with hands-on activities, and
- Provides availability to Dan Kelleher for assisting in understanding the information present.
I highly recommend Midwest GeoSciences Group and Dan Kelleher to anyone interested in expanding their personal and professional growth in geology."
Respectfully submitted,
- Stephen Bochenek, NYS PG, Terracon Exploration Group Manager/Geologist
"What a great course! I had (little understanding about) soil classification but I learned a lot (about taking the mystery out of the subsurface) and I'm ready to hit the field. (The instructors) were wonderful, very responsive and provided helpful explanations. The course materials are amazing resources. Thank you!"
- Benjamin Kuffour, PhD, Degreed Civil Engineer, FOTH
"I want to thank you for the great class. As a geotechnical engineer and an educator, this class was great. The videos, workbook, examples, physical practice soil samples and final exam were outstanding.
In addition, the one-on-one coaching provided me a great learning experience that was tailored to my experience level and objectives.
This class is well worth the money."
- Tim Tomlanovich, P.E., CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY-CIVIL ENGINEERING INSTRUCTOR
"As field professionals, it is highly important that we make skillful evaluations of the components of the subsurface to the best of our ability. Decisions made by those managing the project can only be as good as the real time data recorded in the field. This course teaches how to sharpen one's skills and provides perspective on how observations and field tests even on a small scale fit into the overall scheme of regional stratigraphy. I wish I had taken this course earlier in my career."
- Saul Ash, PG
"With so much riding on our understanding of the subsurface, it's critical that we get it right. Every project design depends on good soil borings and this course is unmatched for discovering the process for creating good soil boring logs. This training experience confirmed my suspicion that lithology is not the same thing as stratigraphy. All my future projects will include site stratigraphy. Now I know with confidence that I'm taking the mystery out of the subsurface."
- William Silveri, New York State PG, CHMM, LEED, Principal, William Silveri, LLC.
"I highly recommend this course, whether you are interested in learning the basics of soil classification, managing subsurface investigation projects, or if already having an understanding of soil classification, but want to take it to the next step in interpreting subsurface conditions and depositional environments. The instructors are experienced, helpful, and take the time to answer any questions you have, and tailor the course to suit your needs."
- Jason Lee, P.G., Sci-Tek Consultants, Inc.
"Every company should make this training mandatory"
- Katie Smith, PG, Senior Consultant
"I benefited greatly from the content and perspective offered by the Midwest GeoScience Group Taking the Mystery out of the Subsurface course. The course teaches USCS from a geologic perspective and focuses on understanding the geologic foundations and associated depositional environments to bring full circle the training of geologists to the applied environmental and engineering geology that necessitates accurate borehole logging."
- Matthew W. Pendleton, PG, QSD/QSP,
Project Geologist, EKI Environment & Water, Inc.
"The course is far more than just a review"
- Scott F. Martin LEP, CHMM
Senior Project Manager, Environmental Engineering and Technology, AECOM
"I just wanted to reiterate how much I enjoyed taking the 'Taking the Mystery Out of the Subsurface' class. As a professional geologist with over 25 year's experience, I had never had a formal class on how to prepare borings logs. I learned in the field, on the job, as did most geologists I know. My logs, as well as most I have seen, contain the USCS classification, color, odor, and little else. The class emphasized that noting additional soil characteristics, as well as the stratigraphic unit, is essential to understanding sediment properties. The stratigraphic unit (and by default the depositional environment) is important not only for mapping the subsurface via cross sections, but also in understating the engineering, hydrological, and contaminant fate and transport impacts of the subsurface lithology. As a geologist, my job isn't to just classify the sediment, but to impart an understanding of the depositional environment to aid in the overall site evaluation process."
- Jennifer Lindquist, PG, Senior Geologist, Leaaf Environmental, LLC
"The course provides very helpful instructions for interpreting unconsolidated sediment stratigraphy. The course modules teach techniques to .... understand (the importance of) depositional environment to better interpret site geology. The course also provides a detailed review of the USCS and includes sediment samples to allow for hands-on practice and calibration of your classifications. Dan and Tim are great instructors and always available to help!"
- Travis Tomaselli, CDM Smith
"This class is a 'must take' for field geologists logging soil. The soil kit and hands-on exercises allow the student to get comfortable in their judgement pertaining to soil classification and remedy the dreaded 'second guessing'. I wish this class was available when I started my journey as a field geologist. Well done Midwest GeoSciences Group!"
- Keith Dyarmett, P.G., LUST Compliance Officer, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
"The course is an eye-opener. I learned the key concepts about how good boring logs can positively impact an entire project."
- Tyler Bexton, Hydrogeologist
"I highly recommend the Taking the Mystery out of the Subsurface Course to anybody who wants to develop or refine their understanding of soil classification and boring logs. It was a practical course that drove home the essentials of this work and included interesting tips and perspectives from the experienced instructors. I especially appreciated the individualized attention that was given to each student to ensure that personal course goals were being met and every question was answered. Highly recommend this course!"
- Annie E. Tucker, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Partners, Inc.
"This course by Midwest GeoSciences Group has been an amazing introduction into the world of subsurface investigation. The resources provided with this course (e.g. the webinars, tutorials, and workbook with helpful hints), along with the broad topic content, have given me a good foundation to build strong investigation and analysis habits off of. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone getting into the geotechnical or geological field."
- Adam Murphy, Associate Project Consultant, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER
Hands On Workskop:
Personalized Instruction and Exam:
10 questions to give the student a self-assessment of basic skills for observing, logging, and field analysis of sedimentary and stratigraphic synthesis. Based on understanding how depositional environments function for controlling soil and sedimentary sequences coupled with deciphering subsurface relationships.
Online video webinar taught by Tim Kemmis, PhD, PG, sets the stage for how soil classification is poorly understood and often misused for the basis of "hydrostratigraphic units" which can lead to monsterous mistakes.
Taught by Tim Kemmis, PhD, PG and Daniel Kelleher, PG, CIPM, this video teaches the essential step to analyze sedimentary relationships and continue with how to create soil boring logs that are: (1) Complete, (2) Accurate, and (3) Effective.
Taught by Daniel Kelleher, PG, CIPM and Tim Kemmis, PD, PhD , this video webinar teaches the third essential step for identifying unanticipated subsurface site conditions. It explains the benefits of "thinking on our feet" and addresses the common field problems that plague our industry. Attendees will benefit from this module by learning how adjusting field perspectives and procedures can improve meeting project objectives and control project costs.
The final exam is a series of course element challenges, including (1) testing soil classification skills using a set of calibrated soil samples where the student does not know the answer, (2) testing on regional geology expectations similar to a pre-drilling task in a project work plan, (3) testing ability to establish stratigraphy from regional data, (4) testing to recognize depositional environments from a single boring (5) testing to establish sedimentary facies and stratigraphic relationships, and (6) testing improved ability to prepare accurate and completing boring logs.
