We educate people about Earth and environmental science issues that are relevant to our everyday lives, through outreach to the public and to the K-12 education community.

Interdisciplinary Education and Outreach
CIRES strongly supports and encourages education outreach. Programs exist for K-12 school districts, teachers and students, undergraduates at CU and elsewhere, and other community groups. Our goal is to support exemplary science education at all levels, encourage curiosity and understanding about our environment, and to bring our research to bear as a resource in service of societal needs, including education. CIRES has established a K-12 Outreach Program that combines rigorous science with innovative teaching practices.

Ongoing projects include classroom and prospective teacher professional development, volunteer opportunities for scientists, education components for research projects, district partnerships, research mentors for high school students and undergraduates, and more. Other projects include collections of digital resources for geoscience education project evaluation, and for climate change education.. At the undergraduate and graduate level, CIRES faculty and researchers work within academic departments and programs to offer education and research.

Project Information
See projects for local community resources, geosciences education evaluation, professional development workshops, school district collaboration, and other information for teachers, students, scientists, school districts, and outreach professionals.

Collaboration Opportunities
Join us on one of our projects or workshops. Come to CIRES as a partner in geoscience education and become a Fellow. See opportunities.

Our History
For an in-depth history of K-12 Education at CIRES, see Chapter 10, Education and Outreach in the CIRES History, 1967-2002.