“We need to create new avenues for students who have previously fallen between the cracks, unnoticed by distinguished academics. Science is for everyone willing to put in the effort!” Eric M. Welsh, Executive Director of G.E.M. Environmental
Although the information is somewhat sketchy, it appears that G.E.M. Environmental, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, has successfully concluded the first semester of its Field Experience Program with Yavapai Community College, which it calls “pilot.” As described, the program offers hands-on science education for underserved students in Yavapai County.
G.E.M. Environmental works with government agencies to conserve public lands through data collection, environmental monitoring, and remediation. Starting in spring 2019, a field experience program was offered to select science classes at Yavapai College and Prescott College.
The program involves students in geoscience activities, including field trips. The Field Experience Program gives students an opportunity to spend extended time contemplating ideas encountered in the classroom during the semester, while learning about potential career opportunities in their fields of interest.
As further described by reporter Amie Winters, in her article in the Prescottenews.com, “the program initiated in the spring 2019 semester, starting with a series of classroom lectures in Dr. Beth Boyd’s Environmental Geology and Historical Geology courses. The lectures were given by local professors and STEM graduate students, who visited these classrooms bi-weekly to offer engaging scientific curriculum in a variety of areas including geography, seismology, mineralogy, and more—helping students explore the relationship of these disciplines and how they relate to their everyday lives. A field trip was then taken to the Drake Cement Mine, giving students an opportunity to spend extended time contemplating ideas encountered in the classroom, and learning about potential career opportunities in their fields of interest.”
The College apparently has not issued a press release describing the program. It is also not clear that a similar program is being offered on the Verde Valley Campus in the East Region of Yavapai County.
You may read all of Amie Winters April 16, 2019 article by clicking here. You may learn more about scholarships and the G.E.M. Environmental program by clicking here.