Field Experiences for Students
Field experiences are a core part of geoscience education, providing hands-on learning in real-world environments. Students can explore field camps, scholarships, short-term programs, field trips, and meeting-based learning opportunities that build technical skills, professional confidence, and career readiness.
Field Camps & Learning
Field camps provide immersive, hands-on training where students apply classroom knowledge in real geologic settings. These experiences develop mapping, observation, and analytical skills while building professional confidence and preparing students for careers across geoscience sectors.
Grants & Scholarships
Funding opportunities like the J. The David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship supports undergraduate students attending field camp. Awards help offset tuition, travel, lodging, and equipment costs, ensuring more students can access essential field-based geoscience training.
Short-Term Field Programs
Programs such as Scientists in Parks and GeoCorps™ America offer paid, short-term geoscience experiences in partnership with federal agencies. These opportunities provide real-world experience in research, conservation, and land management.
Field Trips & Meetings
GSA Section and Annual Meetings offer curated field trips that connect geoscience concepts to real-world sites and regional geology. These experiences are led by experts and provide applied, place-based learning during major scientific gatherings.
Member Success Stories
Discover how GSA field programs, grants, and GeoCareer resources help members gain hands-on experience, build skills, and advance their academic and professional journeys.
“Receiving a GSA Undergraduate Research Grant transformed my undergraduate experience into hands-on research. The support made it possible to complete fieldwork, lab analysis, and a senior thesis that would not have been otherwise feasible. It strengthened my preparedness for graduate school and gave me real-world skills that coursework alone cannot provide, shaping my academic trajectory.”
