MAKING THE MOST OF GEOTOURISM: GEOCAMP ICELAND'S INTEGRATION OF THE EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY PRINCIPLES INTO ITS PLACE-BASED PROGRAMMING

An entry point for fostering deeper understanding of our Earth is through the excitement of new landscapes, which is one way Iceland has established itself as a premier geotourism attraction. Among the options for exploring the island is a project aiming to incite enthusiasm for the Earth sciences among the next generation of decision-makers. In collaboration with Icelandic and international educational institutions, GeoCamp Iceland hosts student groups and facilitates field-based learning as they travel. The region of study is concentrated in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global GeoPark and southern Iceland. Focuses include Iceland’s geology, geography, utilization of geothermal resources, and adaptation to climate change. A collection of place-based activities are in the development phase for sites frequented by GeoCamp participants. The Earth Science Literacy Principles (ESLPs) are being used as a guideline for selecting concepts to highlight throughout the educational tour. Each location includes a brief description, features of the site that demonstrate one or more of the ESLPs, and a corresponding activity. One important concept relevant to Earth science literacy that is not identified in the ESLPs is the role and impact of wastewater in the landscape. Non-traditional methods of dissemination and assessments will be discussed.