Support the 2026 Summer Geoscience Research Experience (GEO-REx) Camp!
Thanks to the generosity of Lawrence and Patty Walker and Mike and Sue Gaskins, every gift to this project will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $3,750!
OUR GOAL: Raise funds to support the Geoscience Research Experience (GEO-REx), a summer experience that introduces geoscience to high school students.
WHY: The Boone Pickens School of Geology (BPSoG) aims to prepare students who effectively contribute towards the future of energy and preserving our environment, in line with OSU's land grant mission, pillars, and core values. The GEO-REx program is an opportunity to introduce high school students to the geosciences, including research, careers, and the relevance to sustainability, energy, and environmental topics. The GEO-REx program is a crucial component of the BPSoG outreach effort to develop and encourage the next generation of geoscientists.
The GEO-REx Program: The GEO-REx program provides opportunities for student participants to engage in field trips and workshops designed to target different aspects of the geosciences, including geophysics, energy, water resources, environmental studies, and more, led by BPSoG faculty and assisting graduate students. The students will also participate in a research project mentored by BPSoG faculty and graduate students, including collecting samples, utilizing cutting-edge lab equipment and analytical software programs, and obtaining their own data. These research experiences will then be presented at the end of GEO-REx to their families, friends, and donors. Additionally, student participants have the option to continue their research project throughout the school year, submitting results to their local science fair, or just listing the project on their college applications. The GEO-REx program is specifically created as an opportunity available to any high school student in Oklahoma, though we accept students from other states as well. For more information, visit the GEO-REx webpage.
SUPPORT OUR GOAL: Previous GEO-REx offerings have had maximum student enrollment, including out-of-state high school students, and overall we continue to receive very positive feedback from participants and their parents. The funds raised will go towards supporting the continuation of the GEO-REx program, ensuring student participants can attend at minimal cost. The funds raised will help cover room and board in an OSU dorm building, meals, research materials, and geology swag costs for approximately 25 student attendees. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us towards our goal!
THANK YOU: Thank you for your generosity in supporting GEO-REx. We are excited to have your support, and are looking forward to another successful GEO-REx program in Summer 2026. Thank you for your support - go Pokes!
GEO-REx students inspecting rocks out in the field with Dr. Spencer
Volunteers from Collier Consulting explaining well logging tools to GEO-REx students.
GEO-REx students researching soil contamination with the samples they prepared for XRD analysis
GEO-REx students discussing their research strategy for analyzing water samples
$10
Bakken Shale
Your donation will go towards supplying a GEO-REx student with an all-weather field notebook or hand lens to keep. Donors of this level will receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$25
Sylvan Shale
Your donation will go towards meals for one GEO-REx student for one day. Donors of this level will be grouped in to a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$75
Woodford Shale
Your donation will go towards purchasing geology swag (such as Write in the Rain notebooks, hand lens, rock hammer, etc.) for one GEO-REx student. Donors of this level will be grouped in to a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$200
Barnett Shale
Your donation will go towards securing one dorm room for one GEO-REx student for the entire GEO-REx program. Donors of this level will be grouped in to a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$400
Mississippian Lime
Your donation will go towards purchasing supplies and transportation for the GEO-REx students' research projects. Donors of this level will be grouped in to a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$800
Caney Shale
Your donation will go towards feeding four GEO-REx students for the entire GEO-REx program. Donors of this level will have their names individually listed in a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$1,000
Goddard Formation
Your donation will go towards securing dorm accommodations for four GEO-REx students (four dorm rooms total) for the entire GEO-REx program. Donors of this level will have their names individually listed in a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.
$5,000
Atoka Group (Atoka Shale)
Your donation will go towards securing dorm accomodations for all GEO-REx students (25 dorm rooms total) for the entire GEO-REx program (~$4000 total). The remaining $1000 will go towards purchasing rock hammers and sun hats for all GEO-REx campers. Donors of this level will have their names individually listed in a "Thank You All Donors" sign posted in the Sue and Michael Gaskins Synergy Room (NRC 301) for the duration of GEO-REx and receive a GEO-REx sticker.