The Oklahoma Geological Foundation is committed to advancing Earth science education at every level, including supporting undergraduate and graduate students and programs. At the University of Oklahoma, Foundation funding is helping create opportunities for students to learn, connect, and showcase their work.
One example is the Geosciences Student Research Symposium and Expo, which provides a space for undergraduate and graduate students to share their research through technical poster presentations and short courses. The event also offers networking opportunities with potential employers and recognizes outstanding student research through poster awards supported by Foundation funding. The Foundation has been supporting the Symposium & Expo since 2023, with grants totaling almost $20,000.
The Foundation also supports Geosciences Day, an outreach, education, and recruiting event hosted by the University of Oklahoma School of Geosciences. The event welcomes prospective and interested students ranging from 10th graders to adults and provides an opportunity to learn more about geoscience programs and career pathways. Since inception in 2022, the Foundation has supported Geoscience Day with grants totaling over $12,000.
According to organizers, Geosciences Day has proven to be an effective recruiting tool, with more than 40% of participants in previous years applying to the University of Oklahoma’s geoscience programs. Oklahoma Geological Foundation funding helps support a variety of expenses associated with the event.
The impact of the Foundation’s support extends directly to students as well. At the 2025 Ronnie K. Irani Oklahoma Geological Foundation Annual Awards Banquet, 22 undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Oklahoma received awards totaling more than $40,000.
Together, these programs demonstrate how Oklahoma Geological Foundation support helps strengthen Earth science education, encourage student achievement, and foster the next generation of geoscience professionals.
