Twenty-three state, tribal, and federal agencies and academic institutions throughout the Great Lakes region gathered in Traverse City, Michigan, in December 2018 for a prey fish age estimation workshop, co-hosted by GLSC. This photo was taken in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS.
The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or use your browser's search engine and include the keywords "usgs.gov field trip".
The USGS also has archived public lectures that are targeted to a general audience. On our Public Lectures website, click on "Multimedia" in the navigation menu, or see a similar list on the USGS YouTube site.
Learn more: USGS Education Resources
Related
Does the USGS do classroom presentations? Does the USGS do classroom presentations?
The USGS has offices in every state, but education is not part of our mission and we do not have employees who go into classrooms as part of their job. Some employees, however, are willing to do so on their own time. If there's a USGS office in your town, contact them directly to ask about a speaker or presenter. Alternatively, teachers can sign up for a Virtual Classroom Visit from a volunteer...
Does the USGS give teacher workshops? Does the USGS give teacher workshops?
The USGS does not have a formal program for teacher workshops, but USGS scientists sometimes participate in teacher workshops that are organized by universities or other education groups. Our USGS Education website lists both resources for use in the classroom and easily-understood resources that teachers can use to educate themselves.
Do you have lesson plans or activities for the classroom? Do you have lesson plans or activities for the classroom?
The USGS Education website is your gateway to classroom resources. Explore links to lesson plans, activities, educational videos, online lectures, posters, non-technical publications, and images for kindergarten through college. This site is an excellent resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in learning. Our resources are organized by grade level and topic.
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate? Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Can I visit a USGS office? Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data? Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data?
Volunteers assist on some USGS projects. In all cases, the volunteers are carefully trained and are supervised by a federal employee while they work. To ensure quality-control, data collected by volunteers are checked by USGS supervisors. Volunteers must abide by the same rules, regulations, policies, and laws as employees. Some USGS volunteer opportunities are advertised at Volunteer.gov. Most of...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students? Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Great Lakes Otolith Aging Workshop
Twenty-three state, tribal, and federal agencies and academic institutions throughout the Great Lakes region gathered in Traverse City, Michigan, in December 2018 for a prey fish age estimation workshop, co-hosted by GLSC. This photo was taken in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kristi Sayler at LCMAP workshop
USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center scientist Kristi Sayler speaks to participants in a November 2018 workshop on Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection in Sioux Falls, SD.
USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center scientist Kristi Sayler speaks to participants in a November 2018 workshop on Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection in Sioux Falls, SD.
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern leading a field trip Yellowstone National Park
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory during 2002-2017. In this photo, he's leading a field trip in Yellowstone National Park with a group of international volcanologists.
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory during 2002-2017. In this photo, he's leading a field trip in Yellowstone National Park with a group of international volcanologists.
Johanna Blake demonstrates how to use a water quality sonde
USGS NMWSC Hydrologists Johanna Blake and Jeb Brown attended the 2nd Annual Conference on Environmental Conditions of the Animas and San Juan Watersheds with Emphasis on Gold King Mine and other Mine Waste Issues in Farmington, NM from June 20-21.
USGS NMWSC Hydrologists Johanna Blake and Jeb Brown attended the 2nd Annual Conference on Environmental Conditions of the Animas and San Juan Watersheds with Emphasis on Gold King Mine and other Mine Waste Issues in Farmington, NM from June 20-21.
A USGS scientist leads field trip
Craig Allen (center) a USGS Research Ecologist discusses fire effects of Las Conchas fire with a group of regional fire ecologists and fire managers during a field trip sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program.
Craig Allen (center) a USGS Research Ecologist discusses fire effects of Las Conchas fire with a group of regional fire ecologists and fire managers during a field trip sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program.
Geologist describes activity from Kīlauea during a field trip to co...
HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
Ken Pierce providing geology lesson during field trip Jackson Hole
Ken Pierce, at the Curtis Canyon Overlook in Jackson Hole, leading the 2003 INQUA (International Union of Quaternary Research) field trip, one of his many geologic field trips about the Greater Yellowstone Geoecosystem.
Ken Pierce, at the Curtis Canyon Overlook in Jackson Hole, leading the 2003 INQUA (International Union of Quaternary Research) field trip, one of his many geologic field trips about the Greater Yellowstone Geoecosystem.
Related
Does the USGS do classroom presentations? Does the USGS do classroom presentations?
The USGS has offices in every state, but education is not part of our mission and we do not have employees who go into classrooms as part of their job. Some employees, however, are willing to do so on their own time. If there's a USGS office in your town, contact them directly to ask about a speaker or presenter. Alternatively, teachers can sign up for a Virtual Classroom Visit from a volunteer...
Does the USGS give teacher workshops? Does the USGS give teacher workshops?
The USGS does not have a formal program for teacher workshops, but USGS scientists sometimes participate in teacher workshops that are organized by universities or other education groups. Our USGS Education website lists both resources for use in the classroom and easily-understood resources that teachers can use to educate themselves.
Do you have lesson plans or activities for the classroom? Do you have lesson plans or activities for the classroom?
The USGS Education website is your gateway to classroom resources. Explore links to lesson plans, activities, educational videos, online lectures, posters, non-technical publications, and images for kindergarten through college. This site is an excellent resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in learning. Our resources are organized by grade level and topic.
Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate? Do you have any citizen science programs in which my students can participate?
Absolutely! The USGS has partnerships with several citizen science programs that are appropriate for classroom projects, for individual students, or for anyone who wants a fun and rewarding activity. See the Citizen Science page on our USGS Education website.
Can I visit a USGS office? Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices, but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data? Does the USGS use volunteers to collect data?
Volunteers assist on some USGS projects. In all cases, the volunteers are carefully trained and are supervised by a federal employee while they work. To ensure quality-control, data collected by volunteers are checked by USGS supervisors. Volunteers must abide by the same rules, regulations, policies, and laws as employees. Some USGS volunteer opportunities are advertised at Volunteer.gov. Most of...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students? Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Great Lakes Otolith Aging Workshop
Twenty-three state, tribal, and federal agencies and academic institutions throughout the Great Lakes region gathered in Traverse City, Michigan, in December 2018 for a prey fish age estimation workshop, co-hosted by GLSC. This photo was taken in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Twenty-three state, tribal, and federal agencies and academic institutions throughout the Great Lakes region gathered in Traverse City, Michigan, in December 2018 for a prey fish age estimation workshop, co-hosted by GLSC. This photo was taken in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kristi Sayler at LCMAP workshop
USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center scientist Kristi Sayler speaks to participants in a November 2018 workshop on Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection in Sioux Falls, SD.
USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center scientist Kristi Sayler speaks to participants in a November 2018 workshop on Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection in Sioux Falls, SD.
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern leading a field trip Yellowstone National Park
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory during 2002-2017. In this photo, he's leading a field trip in Yellowstone National Park with a group of international volcanologists.
Dr. Jacob Lowenstern, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory during 2002-2017. In this photo, he's leading a field trip in Yellowstone National Park with a group of international volcanologists.
Johanna Blake demonstrates how to use a water quality sonde
USGS NMWSC Hydrologists Johanna Blake and Jeb Brown attended the 2nd Annual Conference on Environmental Conditions of the Animas and San Juan Watersheds with Emphasis on Gold King Mine and other Mine Waste Issues in Farmington, NM from June 20-21.
USGS NMWSC Hydrologists Johanna Blake and Jeb Brown attended the 2nd Annual Conference on Environmental Conditions of the Animas and San Juan Watersheds with Emphasis on Gold King Mine and other Mine Waste Issues in Farmington, NM from June 20-21.
A USGS scientist leads field trip
Craig Allen (center) a USGS Research Ecologist discusses fire effects of Las Conchas fire with a group of regional fire ecologists and fire managers during a field trip sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program.
Craig Allen (center) a USGS Research Ecologist discusses fire effects of Las Conchas fire with a group of regional fire ecologists and fire managers during a field trip sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program.
Geologist describes activity from Kīlauea during a field trip to co...
HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
Ken Pierce providing geology lesson during field trip Jackson Hole
Ken Pierce, at the Curtis Canyon Overlook in Jackson Hole, leading the 2003 INQUA (International Union of Quaternary Research) field trip, one of his many geologic field trips about the Greater Yellowstone Geoecosystem.
Ken Pierce, at the Curtis Canyon Overlook in Jackson Hole, leading the 2003 INQUA (International Union of Quaternary Research) field trip, one of his many geologic field trips about the Greater Yellowstone Geoecosystem.
Updated Date: April 17, 2025