Graduates for Education and Outreach (GEO)

Graduates for Education and Outreach (GEO) is an organization at Stony Brook University where graduate students provide educational instruction to students spanning a range of ages. GEO aims to inform and inspire students within STEM disciplines.

GEO prioritizes efforts towards racial minority groups and those economically challenged. We know that local schools understand their educational needs better than we do and therefore we provide educational opportunities that are based on what educators request from us.

Currently, we offer several modes of programming to reach students in different learning contexts. We have visited classrooms to lead hands-on STEM activities, and we have also welcomed students to our Geosciences Department for interactive tours and on-campus learning experiences.

Within a K-12 setting, we typically host a 1-2-hour program led by 1-2 graduate students per classroom. Our outreach sessions include a short presentation on a specific scientific topic, followed by a hands-on lab activity designed to engage students and spark their curiosity. As part of the university’s Department of Geology, many of our lessons are presented through a geoscience lens, connecting broader scientific concepts to Earth processes and the world around us. There are no costs associated with participating in our outreach activities, which are planned and run by student volunteers.

We work closely with Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School and Suffolk County Community College to provide hands-on instruction. In addition to these efforts, we work with local schools and community events upon request and are hoping to expand our outreach in the coming year.

We are always looking for Stony Brook University STEM graduate student volunteers.

GEO is co-led by Taylor Grandfield and Brooke Peritore. Please contact us at gradedoutreach@gmail.com, Taylor.Grandfield@stonybrook.edu, or brooke.peritore@stonybrook.edu .