Geo-Launchpad

Geo-Launchpad Program

A program that prepares community college students for transfer to four-year universities to pursue academic studies in geosciences.

Program Details:

• Provides paid summer student internships for community college students
• Offers academic coursework support
• Provides support for faculty mentors
• Collaborative effort between UNAVCO and Front Range Community College
• Program will expand to include New Mexico and Wyoming (as of 2021)

Geographic Scope: Colorado, and expanding to New Mexico and Wyoming

Funding: NSF Award of $500,000 (announced November 2021) to support operations through 2024

Impact Statistics:

• Engaged almost 50 faculty members

Program Features:

• Summer internships working with USGS and other program partners
• Students present project results at national scientific conferences
• Faculty Whole Student Mentoring program providing mentoring resources and career guidance
• Student internships build skills in research and geoscience applications

Past Project Examples:

• Using GPS to measure local glaciers
• Evaluating accuracy of terrestrial laser scanners
• Digitizing and archiving geological samples and historical collections
• Creating recommended practices for geological data preservation

Background: Program started in 2015 as a collaborative workforce development initiative.

Application Process

Students interested in applying for summer internships should:

1. Visit the Student Internships page for application details
2. Submit application materials
3. Be currently enrolled or recently completed at a community college
4. Express interest in geosciences and STEM fields

Note: Specific application deadlines and detailed requirements are referenced on the Student Internships page but not detailed in the provided text.