Field Experience Program
G.E.M. Environmental, in partnership with Yavapai College, offers hands-on science education for underserved college students in Yavapai County. The program provides engaging activities, including field trips where students apply their knowledge, broaden perspectives on conservation, and gain insight into managing public lands.

Nationally, 90% of lower-income first generation college students do not graduate within 6 years of beginning college. If a student comes from a low-income background, is a first-generation student, or a minority, their chances decline dramatically. The Field Experience Program exemplifies our mission that science is for everyone, working with these goals in mind:

  1. Increase community access to and engagement with STEM, especially to populations for whom engagement is limited by social, gender, or economic barriers.
  2. Enhance student education by providing opportunities for community engagement and service learning.
  3. Foster collaboration between college programs and institutions with complementary missions.
  4. Broaden perspectives on conservation and provide insight about STEM careers.

The program began with a series of lectures in the classroom. Lectures are given by local professors and STEM graduate students, who visit the 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.
Field trips are then taken to the Drake Cement Mine in Paulden, AZ. These active-learning field trips give students an opportunity to spend extended time contemplating ideas encountered in the classroom during the semester, and learning about potential career opportunities in their fields of interest.
This unique program is supported by grants and donations from individuals. We regularly hold fundraisers, both in the community and online. If you'd like to support this valuable program, click here.

"I am eager to learn more about various science career fields, as well as the methods to attain a relevant degree."
-Spring 2019 Program Participant (Geology 102)



Who's Participating In The Program?
22% - Undecided Major
40% - Female
49% - Aged 18-20
23% - Identify as non-Caucasian
29% - First generation student
49% - Low-income student (under $10K/year)
86% - Have never participated in an internship program
32% - Don't feel confident/prepared to pursue educational goals

"It was a great opportunity to learn more about the environmental
side of geology and the career opportunities in the field."
-Spring 2019 Program Participant (Geology 110, Environmental Geology)

We are continuously working on expanding our relationships with local schools and arranging new field trip sites. If you are a school in Yavapai County and would like to work with us please email us here. If you'd like to give back to the community, consider becoming a lecturer in the program. Click here to learn more and apply.