Images provided by EGU Education Committee.
In 2019, the IUGS and EGU launched the Geoscience Education Field Officers (GEFO) Programme to promote Earth sciences worldwide by identifying and training Geoscience Education Field Officers. Conceived by professor Chris King, who managed it until 2021, the program aims to expand its reach, especially in non-European countries, while the EGU Education group oversees and establish Field Officers in non-European locations.
In May 2022, following a call from EGU Education, the GEFO initiative was expanded to seven additional European countries. New GEFOs including seven supported by COGE were trained at a workshop led by the EGU GEFOs at Barcelona, Spain between 28 and 29 of May.
Since 2023, the GEFO Programme has seen significant improvements with the establishment of policies under the new COGE Terms of Reference (ToR). The program now aligns with IUGS’s focus on higher education, public outreach, and international collaborations.
Objectives:
- Ensure appropriate geoscience education at upper secondary levels globally.
- Develop strategies to enhance the scientific and educational competence of pre-university teachers.
- Define key principles for geoscience literacy to guide curriculum design.
- Encourage geoscience careers through secondary education content to meet society’s future demands.
GEFO role
Field Officers provide professional development through interactive workshops for teachers at Senior High school levels, adhering to the program’s objectives. These workshops include hands-on activities inspired by Earth Learning Ideas for comprehensive projects to secondary school students and teachers, aiming to promote university enrolment in geoscience and environmental disciplines.
Support:
GEFOs are unpaid, but their training workshop expenses are covered.
Coordination:
The GEFO Programme is coordinated by Susanna Occhipinti, in collaboration with EGU GEFO Coordinator Gina Correia, under the following policy.
How to become a GEFO?
COGE is currently seeking passionate individuals to join our Geoscience Education Field Officer (GEFO) program. To apply, simply fill out the application form and attach the following documents: a 1-page Expression of Interest (EOI) a curriculum vitae (CV) and 1 or more letters of support from recognized geoscience organizations.
The EOI letter should refer to the personal motivation, the state of geoscience education in their country, and the impact of interactive workshops for teachers. The CV should include selected bibliography (list of up to 5 selected publications relevant to geoscience education).
Send those documents over to contact_iugscoge@iugscoge.org with the subject line “GEFO APPLICATION” and don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to become a GEFO and make a real difference in the world of geoscience education. Apply today and join us in our mission to promote the importance of geoscience education.
COGE Field Officers
Ramanathan Baskar
India - Haryana
Seydou Sogoba
Burkina Faso
Muhammad Hanif
Pakistan
Pauline Yawoa da Costa
Togo
Muhammad Yaseen
Pakistan - Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan
Nestor Damian Salinas Franco
Paraguay
Venkatraman Hedge
India
Carlos Echeverria Barajas
ColombiaJasmi Abdul Hafiz
MalaysiaRaymond Kudzawu-D'Pherdd
Ghana
The GEFO Internship
Objectives
- To prepare current undergraduate/postgraduate geoscience students or recent graduates to become competent educators.
- To capture the interest of young geoscientists who are not only passionate about geoscience but also willing to follow and share the ethos and goals of COGE, including the promotion and practice of geoethical values.
- To increase the availability of trained educators, contributing to the improvement of geoscience education at various levels while upholding the principles of geoethics.
- Making the GEFO program sustainable by involving registered Mentors/Trainers who will facilitate the internship program.
Duration Options
Interns can choose from the following program durations:
- 6 months
- 12 months
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants (age under 35) must be registered as undergraduate/postgraduate students at a university during the internship period or be recent (less than 3 years) graduates in geosciences. Previous experience in teaching (any level), supervising graduate students, outreach activities, tutoring, and mentoring is desirable.
Preference for Diversity
The program gives preference to candidates from lower or lower-middle income countries or who identify as a member of a group historically underrepresented in geosciences.
Availability
Applicants should clearly indicate their availability for the program, including any possible fieldwork or travel commitments.
Application Process
Application Process
- Email COGE corporate account with the subject line “COGE GEFO Intern Application.” The email should include the following documents:
- A 500 words (1.5 spacing) Cover Letter: a concise summary of the applicant research interests and motivation for joining the program.
- Comprehensive CV including current university course, expected completion dates, and contact details of your current supervisor at the university (if applicable). Additionally, mention any relevant connections within the geoscience education community.
Responsibilities of Interns
- Support the development of geoscience research and educational materials, incorporating geoethical considerations in the content when relevant (example: environmental impact and ethical aspects of geoscience career). The materials produced and developed during the internship will remain the property of COGE.
- Supporting the organization of seminars for teachers and conducting literature reviews that may address geoscience education challenges.
- Supporting communication efforts within the program to foster open discussions on geoeducation topics.
- Promoting geoscience outreach in their local community
- Promoting the Earth Learning Idea (ELI)
- Promote the intern country’s participation in the IESO if it is not already activated
- Support the organization of a IESO National Team and be involved in training the Team
- Successful completion of the program requires interns to deliver an oral presentation communicating their experience.
- Travelling locally to assist with the organization and facilitation of GEFO workshops (when the intern and mentor are in the same country).
Benefits for Interns
- Gain hands-on experience in geoscience education and fieldwork.
- Receive mentorship from the leader and officers of the GEFO Program.
- Expand their international network and make valuable contacts.
- Contribute to the global improvement of geoscience education quality.
- They will receive a certificate of attendance in the internship program
- Local transport costs will be covered with prior approval from COGE, but interns will be responsible for accommodation and meals.