Geoheritage Workshop

Map of the cotiguous United States with green point indicating locations of one or more geoheritage sites in each state.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has identified 50 significant geologic sites in the U.S which align with geoheritage values established by the National Park Service and other organizations. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has partnered with the USGS to develop educational resources and a feedback session for educator input.

What is Geoheritage?

Think about a place that holds meaning for you. Why is this place important to you? When did you first go there? Is it a place that attracts a lot of people? What about it makes you (and others) want to keep going back?

Geoheritage refers to geological features and sites that hold significant value (Geoheritage Values Summary) and not only help us understand Earth’s history, but also offer a window into human history. In Virginia, diverse geological formations across the state have impacted human settlements in many ways that align with geoheritage values.

A map of Virigina with each of its physiographic provinces in a different color and labeled (from west to east, they are: Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, which contains some Mesozoic Basin, and coastal plains).

For example, the Blue Ridge Mountains, rich with mineral resources in some of the oldest rocks in the U.S., have significantly impacted the people who live in and around them. Geographically, the mountains acted as a natural barrier, isolating communities and shaping the development of Appalachian culture with its own distinct traditions, folklore, and music. The region’s abundant forests and natural beauty has also made it a major part of Virginia’s tourism industry, attracting visitors for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and sightseeing. Furthermore, the mountains continue to influence environmental conservation efforts, highlighting the region’s importance in preserving natural resources for future generations.

Workshop Overview

Join us for a three-day immersive, interdisciplinary workshop at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) headquarters in Reston, Virginia (Agusut 5-8, 2025). You will be introduced to free online resources from the USGS and AGI that will help you bring geoheritage into your classrooms. The goal is for participants to provide feedback on the development of educational resources and then to use the resources with their students to provide further feedback on their implementation.

This event is designed for Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. educators (grade 3 to grade 8), as well as curriculum developers and instructional coaches, eager to explore new, standards-aligned educational resources to teach about geologically diverse sites around the U.S. by connecting with values that relate to a number of subject areas, including science, history, and art. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of geoheritage, we encourage teams of teachers from different subject areas to apply.

Workshop Highlights

Explore Geoheritage Sites: Discover the intersection of science, culture, and history through the USGS Geoheritage Sites of the Nation Explorer. The workshop includes a walking tour of the USGS campus and a field trip to Mather Gorge in Great Falls Park to experience one of the first 50 geoheritage sites named in the U.S.
Access USGS Educational Resources: Utilize a wealth of USGS materials, including maps, data, and multimedia tools, to enrich your teaching. You will provide feedback on the Geoheritage Sites of the Nation Explorer and resources that are being developed to help K-8 educators use this interactive map in their classrooms.
Interdisciplinary Lessons: Work with geoheritage experts and fellow educators to learn how to use and develop engaging, standards-aligned lessons that integrate Earth Science concepts with history, art, environmental science, and more.

All participants will recieve:

Lunch each day of the workshop
A $200 stipend for attending the three-day workshop
A second $200 stipend for providing feedback on the use of geoheritage resources in their classroom
Reimbursement for mileage driving to and from the USGS Headquarters and Great Falls National Park

After the workshop, there will be further opportunities to connect with AGI about geoheritage and the creation of educational resources that help educators connect real-world sites to classroom content and state standards.

Apply Here

Review of applications will occur as they are submitted and will continue until all spots in the workshop are filled.

If you have any questions, please email us at: outreach@americangeosciences.org.

Additional Resources on Geoheritage

This workshop is part of the USGS Geoheritage Sites of the Nation, a program aiming to highlight the scientific, educational, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values of significant geologic features.