Programs
Hands-on programs
Programs based on hands-on kits or special curricula such as NanoEd, GLOBE, or Project WET are conducted to support the science Standards of Learning (SOLs) for Virginia schools. They can also be appropriate for youth groups such as 4-H or Scouts.
Visits by geoscientists to classrooms, meetings, and events
Students and faculty can present general geoscience topics as well as their own research expertise (click on the searchable function to select area of interest).
VT-STARS
Virginia Tech Summer Training Academy for Rising Students program provides non-formal learning experiences applying Information Technology for low income, under-represented, or first-generation college-bound at-risk High School students. Earth and Environmental Sciences are focus areas for some of their activities linking back to their home schools and communities.
Workshops
Geosciences is part of the Science Outreach Program, a training center for many national environmental education programs that involve real-world data collection and field work. Examples include:
GLOBE
Project WET
Healthy Water, Healthy People
Save Our Streams (SOS)
Continuing Education
Courses and projects involve teachers and other professionals in academic, field, and laboratory knowledge-building. Internships, CEUs, graduate, and undergraduate credit may be available.
Nanoscale Secondary Science and Math Curriculum Development Project
Student professional development
Training is offered to geoscience undergraduates who want the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for earth science with youth groups. They may lead tours of departmental facilities (including the Museum of Geosciences)hyperlink; conduct hands-on activities with K-12 students; or develop materials for the ERC, public programs, or the web.
Courses, Internships, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Courses and projects involve Geosciences majors and non-majors from VT and other institutions in academic, field, and laboratory experiences. Internships, CEUs, graduate, and undergraduate credit available.
VTX Crystallography Workshop
Service Learning FOR4974: Service Learning in Natural Resources
Geosciences and Museology GEOS4974: Independent Study
Geoscience Teaching Materials
Geoscience teaching kits, materials, and activities are available for loan to educators and for use in outreach programs. Topics include: "What is a Mineral?", "What is in a Rock?", "Rocks of the Blacksburg Area", "Geologic Timeline", "Mineral Hardness", and "Fluorescent Minerals".
SOuP
The Science Outreach Program is jointly housed by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Geosciences. It is an interdisciplinary bridge for research and public outreach in the sciences and technology, with a mission to help fund VT research proposals by developing education and broader impact products primarily for the regional and statewide K-12 community.
The Education Resource Center (ERC) is a collection of hands-on kits providing teaching resources in a variety of natural science topics, correlated to the Virginia Standards of Learning. As well as being used in programs, these are available for loan to K-12 educators. Homeschoolers, informal science educators, scout leaders, student volunteers, and preservice teachers are also welcome to borrow ERC materials.
VT STEM
Geosciences is a charter member of VT STEM, a university-wide outreach initiative in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) intended to contribute to Virginia's leadership in K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
