GEO-REx Goal 4: Talking Geoscience
There are 11 more days in our PhilanthroPete campaign, and we are $365 away from our $8,500 goal!
Two GEO-REx campers explain how a wetland dynamics model can be used evaluate different scenariosThe final day of GEO-REx centers around communication. GEO-REx campers meet with geoscience professionals to learn about careers and job paths in industry, consulting, and government. The career professionals are BPSoG graduates who volunteer their time to talk with the students and share their experiences. After the career panel, the GEO-REx students give their own presentations, sharing the results of their research projects to an audience of family and volunteers.
Our overarching goal for GEO-REx is to introduce high school students to geoscience topics, careers, and research through hands-on, geoscience-focused activities. Every PhilanthroPete donation, no matter how small, helps us continue to offer the camp each summer and spread the joy of geosciences to more participants.
GEO-REx Goal 3: Getting Involved in Geoscience Research
Thanks to our donors, we have maxed out the matching funds from Lawrence and Patty Walker and Sue and Mike Gaskins. We are so grateful to them and to all of our generous GEO-REx supporters!
GEO-REx participants testing rock samples to evaluate their lead remediation potentialOn the third day of GEO-REx, campers join BPSoG faculty and undergraduate and graduate student volunteers to work on small geoscience research projects. GEO-REx participants address research questions by preparing samples, making measurements, analyzing data, and prepare a presentation summarizing their results. These projects span a wide range of geology topics, from characterizing past environments in cores to evaluating soil contamination to using GPR to identify underground utilities.
While we do seek and receive donations from geology societies and foundations, these awards do not fully cover the costs to run GEO-REx. Your donations will help ensure we can offer the full GEO-REx experience for summer 2026.
GEO-REx Goal 2: Experiencing Geoscience
Thanks again to all our donors! So far, we have raised $7,200 to support GEO-REx, which includes the matching donations thanks to Lawrence and Patty Walker and Sue and Mike Gaskins.
GEO-REx students inspecting recently cored material with the assistance of Equus Environmental personnel.On Day 2, we introduce GEO-REx participants to different fields of geoscience though field trips and hands-on workshops. Last summer, we held workshops at the Gary Stewart Core Research Facility, where students observed the drilling of a water well performed by Collier Geophysics and Equus Environmental. The students then assisted with describing and logging the cored material and learning about the equipment and instrumentation that made the drilling efficient and safe. Day 2 wrapped up with a BBQ for students and volunteers.
The workshops change each summer, so students who attend for more then one summer can learn new things every year. Donations go to support the workshop and field trip activities and transportation costs.
GEO-REx Goal 1: Learning How Science Works
GEO-REx students measuring the pH of water samples to test their hypothesis.
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, and to Lawrence and Patty Walker and Sue and Mike Gaskins for their matching campaign!
In addition to introducing GEO-REx participants to geoscience fields and careers, we also work to teach students how to conduct geoscience research. On their first day, students participate in a group exercise that walks them through the scientific method; last year's exercise examined ocean acidification using water samples and pH meters. This helps prepare them for the geoscience research project to come.Your support has a direct impact on GEO-REx participants and their experience with the program. The donations we receive fund students' stay in the OSU dorms, meals and snacks, and geology supplies, such as hand lenses, field notebooks, water bottles, and sun hats. We could not run the program without you!
We are live!
Dr. Katumwehe prepares to send a GEO-REx student off to collect GPR data.
Our PhilanthroPete fundraiser for the GEO-REx summer geoscience camp for high school students is live!
Help us introduce students to geoscience fields and careers, including geology, geophysics, and environmental geoscience. Your generosity is greatly appreciated; our goal is to keep costs to the campers as low as possible while providing opportunities for them to participate in field trips, hands-on workshops, and research projects.
Stay tuned to our PhilanthroPete webpage for updates on how GEO-REx spreads the joy of geoscience!
The BPSoG GEO-REx team
$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.