GP-IN: Bridging the Gap into Geosciences
Funding Partner: National Science Foundation
Principal Investigator: Amanda Tazaz Ph.D
Project Announcement
October 16, 2023
Picture this - a summer day in the Big Bend region, and a group of pre-college students are exploring the fascinating world of geoscience. This is precisely what the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Learning System Institute (LSI) at Florida State University to do.
Starting in the summer of 2024 and continuing into the summer of 2025, Principal Investigator Amanda Tazaz, Ph.D., will lead a partnership of geoscience agencies in the state and several departments at FSU and Florida A&M University to develop four geoscience summer camp programs that will be implemented with pre-college students attending summer camp at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend. The grant is titled "GP-IN: Bridging the Gap into Geosciences for Underrepresented Pre-college Populations through Experiential Learning Opportunities" and aims to break down barriers to entry into the geosciences for underrepresented populations of students.
The project will utilize local geoscience experts from the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Plains Institute, Florida Geological Survey, Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves, FSU's Coastal and Marine Laboratory, FSU's Department of Earth, Ocean, Atmospheric Science, FSU's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute and FAMU's School of the Environment. The experts will mentor and support camp participants as they learn about the geosciences and engage with real-life geoscience data collection and research activities.
"Through our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend, we are excited to tackle the pressing concerns many geoscientists have raised regarding the issue of limited awareness, access, and opportunity to participate in meaningful geoscience experiences prior to college," said Tazaz. "By introducing historically underrepresented pre-college students to the world of geoscience at a crucial time in their lives, we hope to inspire a new generation of geoscientists from diverse backgrounds. This initiative could be the key to unlocking the full potential of underrepresented populations in the field of geoscience. It may lead to exciting new discoveries that benefit us all. Join us in this exciting endeavor and let's create a brighter future together."
2024 Update
Starting in the summer of 2024 and continuing into the summer of 2025, Principal Investigator Amanda Tazaz, Ph.D., will lead a partnership of geoscience agencies in the state and several departments at FSU and Florida A&M University to develop four geoscience summer camp modules that will be implemented with pre-college students attending summer camp at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend. The primary objective of this initiative is to lower the barriers to geoscience fields for traditionally underrepresented student groups by providing early exposure to the field.
Key to the project’s success will be the contribution of geoscience professionals from an array of local institutions, including the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Plains Institute, Florida Geological Survey, Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves, FSU's Coastal and Marine Laboratory, FSU's Department of Earth, Ocean, Atmospheric Science, FSU's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute and FAMU's School of the Environment. The experts will mentor and support camp participants as they learn about the geosciences and engage with real-life geoscience data collection and research activities.
2025 Update
The “Bridging the Gap into the Geosciences” project offers pre-college students an exciting opportunity to explore careers in geoscience through a dynamic summer camp at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Florida State University, Florida A&M University, local geoscience agencies, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Bend, uniting academic expertise and community engagement to broaden access to geoscience education.
Designed to ignite curiosity and encourage active learning, the program has immersed over 50 teen participants in real-world geoscience experiences that go far beyond the classroom. Through the program, students delved into vital topics such as groundwater, river systems, water quality, and coastal management. The curriculum was designed around place-based learning, allowing participants to experience science firsthand in local environments. Field trips to state and national parks, as well as excursions on local rivers, enabled the students to observe natural processes up close and apply scientific concepts outside the classroom.
By introducing young learners to the importance of environmental stewardship and the dynamic world of geoscience, “Bridging the Gap into the Geosciences” is helping to cultivate the next generation of geoscientists. The hope is that the program will encourage more students from diverse backgrounds to pursue further study and careers in the geosciences, contributing to a sustainable future for Florida and beyond.
2026 Update
Bridging the Gap into the Geosciences provides pre-college students with meaningful access to place-based geoscience learning through a summer camp partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend. Now in its third summer, the program has served teens across three Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend locations, expanding opportunities for youth to engage with geoscience in their own community. The initiative brings together Florida State University, Florida A&M University, local geoscience agencies, and community partners to broaden participation in geoscience education and connect students with the natural systems that shape their region. Through hands-on activities and field-based investigations, participants explored topics such as groundwater, river systems, water quality, coastal processes, and environmental stewardship. Near-peer mentors from Conservation Pathways, a Tallahassee-area conservation nonprofit, supported student engagement by modeling STEM pathways and helping participants see themselves as future scientists and environmental leaders.
Students extended their learning beyond the classroom through field trips to local state and national parks, excursions along rivers and through caverns, and coastal field experiences that included data collection and scientific observation. Across the three summers, participating students have reported more positive attitudes toward geoscience, reflecting increased interest, confidence, and connection to the field. By combining academic expertise, community-based mentorship, and immersive outdoor learning, Bridging the Gap into the Geosciences strengthens students’ understanding of local environments while inspiring curiosity and interest in future study and careers in the geosciences.
