Current Partnerships

Breakthrough Twin Cities

In their own words, "Breakthrough Twin Cities is a free college access program. Students apply in the 6th grade before embarking on a six-year journey that is designed to help them access and thrive in a four-year college or university after graduating high school. The vast majority of our students are from BIPOC identities and will be the first in their family to attend college or university...

The University of Minnesota has the second most Breakthrough Alumni of any college or university in the United States, as roughly 15% of our annual graduating class attends the U of M. We want to ensure that this long standing relationship stays as strong as ever, and our hope is that by providing students with a fun experience beyond the typical college admissions tour, our students will gain a deeper appreciation for all that the University of Minnesota has to offer them in the future."

In the fall of 2023 , UMN-CSE hosted around 270 middle and highschool students from Breakthrough TC on our campus and ESCI welcomed their 7th grade students into their laboratories and departmental space. 

Project Wild Rooted

Project Wild Rooted is a nature based experiential learning for children age 2 through 14. I their own words, the mission of Project Wild Rooted is "to create rich experiences, spark life-long learners and create tomorrow's innovators who have a deep appreciation for the natural world around them. [Project Wild Rooted] offers nurturing and enriching environments that support all children’s well being. [Project Wild Rooted's] programs focus on life skills, confidence-building, and real-world connections that empower children with practical abilities and a strong foundation for future success."

In the past, ESCI students have led hands-on earth science activities for Project Wild Rooted summer camps.

Bell Museum 

The Bell Museum is a natural history museum and planetarium in St. Paul. The Bell Museum's mission is to "ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe." Located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, the Bell Museum engages collaboratively with many scientists at the U. 

ESCI has collaborated with the Bell in the past on their SpaceFest event, which aims to connect their intergenerational community audience to experts in space science and astronomy, as well as providing speakers for their summer Geology Rocks Camp and seminars.

English as a Second Language (UMN)

The Minnesota English Language program offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in their Intensive English Program for students to improve their English proficiency. 

Numerous ESCI labs have hosted visiting ESL classes to provide an opportunity for students to discuss common natural disasters and earth science concepts in English. 

Chanhassen Scouting America

Scouting America is a youth scouting organization whose mission is to "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law". 

ESCI students have partnered with 4th grader from the Chanhassen Cub Scouts in the past, aiding them in earning their Geology Belt Loop. 

Previous Partnerships

Outreach through Science and Art (OSA)

In their own words, OSA is “a University of Minnesota student group dedicated to uncovering connections between the arts and sciences and sharing these connections with the general public. [OSA] is a student-run program designed to improve public communication of science and interdisciplinary collaboration. [They] produce public exhibits and events that provide scientific context for artistic works and artistic expression of scientific research.”

ESCI Outreach has worked with OSA to put on multiple art-related events in the past. 

Local Classroom Visits

ESCI graduate students have a long history of outreach with K-12 students in the Twin Cities area. Typically, research students visit classrooms to talk about their research and career paths in geoscience. In the past we have collaborated with Minnetonka Middle School West, Shakopee Elementary School, Cornelia Elementary School, Hiawatha Prep, Partnership Academy, and Cedar Ride Elementary School.