Teacher Field Experience Program
Elevate science teaching and inspire curiosity through the Teacher Field Experience (TFE) program. Educators and outreach specialists are matched with local geoscientists for a day in the field or lab, gaining hands-on experience to bring back to their audience. Learn how to get involved as an educator or a geoscience professional, and explore past TFEs to see how these experiences help bridge classroom learning with real-world science
Upcoming Teacher Field Experience Opportunities
Fall 2025: Citizens Energy Group in Indianapolis, IN
Join Citizens Energy Group and the American Geosciences Institute for a teacher field experience highlighting real-world geoscience and engineering. This unique opportunity provides teachers insight into a major infrastructure project in Indianapolis – modernizing the city’s sewer system with six deep rock tunnels and a new pump station for improved wastewater management. Check back in August for specific details.
Program Details
Educators: Express your interest in joining a geoscientist out in the field by filling out this form. You will have the opportunity to select a field of geoscience you are interested in learning more about, such as soil science, hydrology, geology, and more.
Participating teachers will:
- Select a geoscience topic to explore, and be connected with a geoscientist.
- Prepare for the field experience with guidance from AGI.
- Share your experiences and insights with your students and/or colleagues.
- Implement a related lesson and/or unit, documenting students’ work and engagement.
- Be reimbursed for mileage, and potentially receive a stipend for preparation and contributions outside of instructional time.
Geoscience Professionals
Are you a geoscience professional or organization looking to engage in outreach? Reach out to us at outreach@americangeosciences.org or fill out this form if you are interested in connecting with local educators. We can match you with teachers who are eager to learn more about your work and/or assist in organizing workshops that align with your expertise.
Read more about the Teacher Field Experience Program and why your geoscience organization should get involved!
Express interest in facilitating a TFE by filling out this form.
TFE Gallery
US Gypsum Company in Fort Dodge, IA
The Fort Dodge Quarry Manager at the United States Gypsum Company collaborated with local science teachers to explore gypsum mining and the geology in Fort Dodge. Teachers toured the mine, observed a live blast, examined geologic samples, and participated in hands-on activities. The experience highlighted real-world applications of geoscience and provided valuable insights for bringing industry connections into the classroom. Read more about this TFE in an article featured in the USG Newsletter: Teacher Field Experience Program
“Getting to see the gypsum mine up close and learning how core samples are taken, how maps are made, analyzing the rock layers, etc.. with a geologist has given me a better understanding of the entire process. Using the jewelers loupe to analyze samples and describing what I saw are all things I am excited to bring back to my students. Prior to this experience, I was just teaching from a book or a slide. This hands-on experience will allow me to bring more hands-on activities to my students. I can’t wait to do my unit next year!” - 4th grade teacher
“Being able to go to the mining pit and looking over at everything was so neat! We of course asked many questions and learning more about how everything needs to be done in very specific ways and why that is was very interesting. It even connected to many other factors that aren’t just gypsum that helped form a larger picture of everything.” - 8th grade teacher
Natural Resources Conservation Service in Naperville, IL
Outreach specialists from the DuPage County Forest Preserve worked with NRCS soil scientists on assessing soil throughout Danda Forest Preserve. They participated in collecting samples with the Giddings soil probe and assessing the soil health, along with a lively discussion about the soil across the forest preserve and outreach ideas.
“Our staff absolutely loved it! We were able to pick brains about potential soil activities to do while students are on field trips with us. We have already begun incorporating some geoscience into the programs we offer. [The NRCS soil scientists] have such a wealth of knowledge and are so friendly. It was a highlight for our staff this fall for sure!” - Community Engagement Lead
Natural Resources Conservation Service in Crystal Lake, IL
Outreach specialists from the DuPage County Forest Preserve teamed up with NRCS soil scientists to assess soil conditions throughout Danda Forest Preserve. Participants engaged in hands-on soil sampling using the Giddings soil probe, evaluated soil health through observations and tests in the field, and took part in dynamic discussions on soil variability across the preserve and innovative outreach strategies.
“As a high school geology teacher, I spend some time teaching my students about soils and soil formation. I have tried to do some labs in the past but I always felt like they fell short. The TFE experience really inspired me to modify my existing activities so that they would connect content with real world application…I really enjoyed getting to talk to the soil scientist about what they do and then getting to see them work in the field was a real treat!” - High school teacher
"[The TFE] was great. I learned some new things, have a much better appreciation for soil science and am able to provide students with a research opportunity… I feel the Earth and Space Science teachers and the AP Environmental Science and PLTW Environmental Studies teachers would benefit from the experience." - High school teacher
Currently Sponsored By
