Geosciences Student Research Symposium 2024

The Geosciences Student Research Symposium (GSRS) is a long-standing tradition in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. On March 21st and 22nd, 2024, we will celebrate the 29th edition of GSRS! This event spans two days of research presentations from graduate and undergraduate students, providing a platform to communicate their science across the far-reaching disciplines of our department. GSRS promotes growth for promising geoscientists in a collegial environment by providing peer and faculty feedback on their research and presentation skills. Conversations during this event also foster a greater sense of community in the department and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and professional development.

"Since 1996, we've had close to 1300 student presentations totaling more than 13 days of talks" -Morrison Nolan

GSRS is entirely student-led, student-organized, and supported by gifts from folks like you. Your contribution will allow students to focus on developing their research communication abilities, providing an opportunity to sharpen the leadership, mentorship, and team-building skills it takes to organize an event like GSRS.

"As an undergraduate, it can be kind of scary and intimidating, but it's a great sense of relief when you're like oh, I know what I'm doing and the grad students are like yeah, you do kind of know what you're doing." -Michael Zigah

Now in its seventh year, the pre-GSRS Workshop Series provides monthly graduate-student-led tutorials on navigating professional conferences and future career paths. Topics range from formatting a talk for a professional conference to hands-on science communication activities. All students are encouraged to attend, especially undergraduates giving a presentation for the first time. The Workshop Series facilitates skill development that our students can put into practice during GSRS and employ for years to come.

"Last year I participated in GSRS... It really helped my project in its early stages as a first-year graduate student. Having feedback from a large variety of my peers and professors is something very valuable to my work and start of my PhD." - Denise Burgett

Many of our undergraduate students have hands-on experience conducting original research under the supervision of an advisor. The poster session allows undergraduates to present in front of a supportive community, giving them the confidence to present at larger national conferences. With the help of your donations, we will cover the cost of printing for each student.

GSRS concludes with the ever-popular banquet on Friday evening. This gathering celebrates another successful GSRS with a delicious spread of food and drinks. Because we appreciate your contributions, we are offering our top donors the opportunity to name an award to honor a loved one, which will be given at the banquet ceremony to the best student presenters. We invite and encourage all who can attend to join us for this annual rendezvous of alumni, faculty, students, and friends of Geosciences.

 "The entire department comes together to celebrate the end of GSRS" -Kristin Chilton

GSRS is a free, public event. We'd love to see friends and alumni of Geosciences in Kelly Hall on March 21st and 22nd for GSRS29! Please consider donating and sharing to help us hold another successful GSRS.