Welcome to the HGS Educational Outreach Committee

·       HISD PETROLEUM ACADEMIES

The Educational Outreach Committee provides geologic content to the four Houston Petroleum Academies, which are magnet programs for selected top high school students with stated interests in engineering and geoscience.  These are at Westside High School, Milby High School, Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy and the Energy Institute.  We collaborate with the Independent Petroleum Association of America/Petroleum Equipment and Services of America (IPAA/PESA), who organize field trips and industry externships for these students.  HGS co-sponsors museum field trips, geologic field trips, rock labs, geologic map labs, and interview skills training for the students.

·       STEM FESTIVAL FOR GIRLS

This event, held at Rice University, targets middle-school girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  The event is attended by nearly 1000 students with hundreds stopping by the HGS booth during the fair.  Students enjoy the experience of observing rock samples using a magnifier and making geological observations.  Attending teachers are given rock samples, page size geologic maps of Texas and water cycle charts.

·       HOUSTON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

We provide a booth and volunteers, visited by 1500-2000 students.  Rock salt samples to keep are popular items to help students start to think about minerals.  Posters and handouts provide students and teachers ideas about what geologists do and what kind of careers are available.