UoB Open Day - 26/10/24

The University of Bristol held its first open day of the 2024/2025 academic year this weekend, on the 26th October 2024. I was among a selection of other student ambassadors for Earth Sciences spanning all course programmes that UoB has to offer (Geology, Palaeontology & Evolution, and Environmental Geoscience) and multiple years of study. Students and their families came by to the department to attend talks in our very own lecture theatre, G25, to then go on student-led tours around the building to visit the Earth Sciences Department's laboratories and the Wills Memorial Building Library. 

Then, visitors were directed into the department's main lab, G27, where current students and members of staff could talk about university life, courses, and course content. For each programme section was a display and interactive activity. (For us at Geology, we had microscopes and rock thin sections, and a flour-sand press to demonstrate compressional tectonics, but more on that later!)

In the morning, me and another student ambassador attended the main doors to the department. We welcomed visitors and directed them to G25 where the talks and tours took place. It was really refreshing to talk to newcomers who may choose Bristol and/or an Earth Sciences degree because I remember being new to university and Bristol, too. I hope I offered valuable insight to those that asked me questions and helped ease and welcome students that may have felt uneasy or anxious. We had visitors who had come to Bristol from far away, even a family I talked to who came straight from Ireland, who I helped get their bearings in Bristol.

Later on, I helped out in the main lab, G27. I helped with the demonstrations with microscopes and offered my help to anyone who may come by as the event was winding down. Earth Sciences is a rather niche subject choice, so we are all friendly and encouraging between students and professors. Our department is really a joy to be a part of, and I hope that came across to all the visitors! Below are some more pictures of what we had to show in G27! There are three images of microscope thin sections (which are quite hard to photograph!) and one of the compressional model with sand and flour (which you may see how 'faults' are formed [these are where you can trace lines where the sand and flour have broken] as compressional forces are added).

I really hope to help out at another Open Day or Offer Holder Day in the future if I can!

Volunteering at the Geologists' Association Conference - 28/9/24

On the 28th September 2024, I joined a team of volunteers from the University of Bristol to help out at the annual Geologists' Association (GA) Conference held this year in Bristol, inside the Earth Sciences department of Wills Memorial Building. The event began with an icebreaker on the 27th in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery next door to Wills Memorial Building. On the 28th, delegates arrived to the building to attend seminars run by professors from the Earth Sciences department. During breaks, delegates could view associations and their stands in the main conference area, lab G27, and get refreshments run by other volunteers. The event ended on the Sunday, 29th September, with up to five field trip destinations around the Bristol area run by the Geological Association.

I was volunteering 12-5pm at the welcome desk on the 28th, handing out name badges, welcoming attendees, signposting delegates, and providing general information. In moments of downtime when delegates were attending seminars, I was able to organise the front desk and help out in the main conference area with the other volunteers. The images below are from lab G27 and the stands around the area. At the end of the event I helped collect the name badges of attendees, return the desks and chairs to the lab with the other volunteers, and help move items for the Museum and Art Gallery. 

I really enjoyed my experience, getting to speak to attendees about my studies, other volunteers that I had not met before, and being of help to the GA. Also, I got to take home some freebies! I would love to help out again if the event ever comes back to Bristol or another nearby location, no doubt.

Thank you to the Geologists' Association and the speakers and organisers of the event, especially the  Earth Sciences department at UoB!

About me

(last updated 11/1/26)

[View my LinkedIn profile here]

As of May 2025, I have completed my studies as an MSci Geology student at the University of Bristol and in July I graduated with a 2:1. Over my time studying Geology in Bristol, I have been on many field trips, volunteered, and become a student ambassador for the department. The Earth Sciences department at UoB is really one of a kind -- please visit if you can!

Minerals and crystals are my favourite part of Geology. I want to work closely with them in the future, maybe in a museum with other curators, observing and admiring beautiful specimens and maybe leading tours for visitors or helping teach. My Master's project involved the study of pyroxenes and olivines, minerals from primitive volcanoes, from the New Solomon Islands. 

I also have an interest in creative hobbies like digital art, writing, and game making. Over the years I have developed my skills and have designed websites and projects for myself and clients. Check out my other pages to see some of what I have been working on!

Thank you for reading. Take care!

El Frewin (they/she/he)