When students experience a concept for themselves, their grasp of the material is enhanced. Fieldwork is critical in molding strong and effective students of geography, and our students have conducted research throughout the U.S. and in other countries such as China, Senegal, Peru, and Canada. Fieldwork has been proven to develop subject-specific and transferable skills, promote active learning, and link theory to real-world applications.

 

Unfortunately, funding restrictions are reducing the opportunities for these types of formative and stimulating learning experiences. Because most travel is self-supported, the cost remains prohibitive, and many students must alter research questions to fit their budgets.

 

Your gift to the Geography Field Research and Exploration Fund will help support both classroom- and field-based research. With extra funding, the department could significantly expand grants to support the types of research experiences that our students are most passionate about.