Geoscience Education, Training and Technology Transfer

The Commission for Geoscience Education, Training, and Technology Transfer, which since 2004 has been officially referred to as the Commission on Geoscience Education (COGE)^[1], is a global organization operating under the International Union of Geological Sciences. It focuses on advancing geoscience education and promoting knowledge and technology transfer in this field globally.

Commission on Geoscience Education (COGE)

Formation	2004
Purpose	Education
Headquarters	Australia
Region	Worldwide
Board Chair	Sandra Paula Villacorta Chambi
Board of directors	Sandra Paula Villacorta Chambi (Chair) Susanna Occhipinti (Vice-Chair) Elvaene James (General Secretary) Ian Clark (Treasure)
Website	https://iugscoge.org/

Description

COGE was initially established in 1990 as the Commission on Geoscience Education, Training, and Technology Transfer.^[1] 2004 with the mission to enhance the quality of geoscience education worldwide through collaboration with global organisations, including the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU), to promote geoscience education and training initiatives around the globe.^[2] It was restructured and rebranded as COGE in 2004 to reflect a focused commitment to Earth science education and professional development.

COGE aims to support both developed and developing countries in strengthening geoscience education through capacity building, outreach, and curriculum development. Among its most impactful initiatives is the Geoscience Education Field Officers (GEFO) Programme,^[3] which trains educators globally to promote geosciences at the secondary and tertiary levels.

This commission collaborates closely with key international organizations such as IGEO and the EGU, co-developing resources like the International Geoscience Curriculum and contributing to major global events including the GeoSciEd conferences and the International Earth Science Olympiad.

Notable achievements include the establishment of the Chris King Medal, awarded biennially to recognize outstanding educators in geoscience, and the publication of educational materials such as Geoscience Education Over the World.^[4] Through its global network, COGE continues to champion inclusive, innovative, and geoethically grounded approaches to Earth science education.^[5]

Current organization

The current structure of COGE comprises 23 members from 22 countries, including a governing Board, four thematic sub-commissions, and five committees.^[2]

The current board of the commission is formed by four members representing Asia (Elvaene James), Australia (Ian Clark), Europe (Susanna Occhipinti), and South America (Sandra Villacorta).^[6]

The four subcommissions, established in 2023,^[6] coordinate efforts in key thematic areas:

• The GEFO Programme, oversees the deployment and coordination of regional field officers promoting Earth science education through workshops and training.
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Develops strategies to ensure equitable participation and inclusive practices within COGE initiatives.
• International Relations – Manages institutional partnerships and facilitates cross-border collaboration and external funding opportunities.
• Public Outreach and Communication – Enhances public engagement and awareness of geoscience education through events and media.

In addition, five standing committees, created in 2022,^[5] support COGE’s operational and strategic goals:

• Finance Committee – Prepares annual budgets and funding proposals aligned with the commission’s work plan.
• Awards Committee – Administers the selection process for distinctions such as the Chris King Medal.
• Publications Committee – Coordinates the production of educational materials and scholarly outputs.
• Governance and Membership Committee – Oversees recruitment, retention, and global representation of members.
• Social Media Committee – Manages digital communications, including social platforms and outreach content.

As of 2024, COGE includes members from 20 countries across six continents, ensuring wide geographic representation and diverse perspectives in its governance and activities. Represented countries are: Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brasil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ghana, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, The Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Spain and USA.^[2]

Programs and Initiatives

Since its reorganization in 2004, the Commission has developed and supported a variety of international programs aimed at strengthening Earth science education and fostering professional development for educators. These initiatives reflect COGE’s mission to promote geoscience literacy, especially in regions where Earth science is underrepresented in national curricula.

One of COGE’s most impactful initiatives is the GEFO Programme, launched in collaboration with the EGU in 2018. The project was formulated and lead by Chris King to train experienced educators to deliver geoscience workshops in their regions, focusing on countries with limited access to Earth science education. The GEFO programme uses open-access resources such as Earth Learning Idea and emphasizes field-based, interactive teaching methods to inspire both teachers and students. As of 2024, COGE manages the network of Field Officers in non-European countries, while EGU oversees the European branch.^[3]

Another major contribution is the establishment of the Chris King Medal in 2023. This biennial award honors individuals with at least a decade of outstanding contributions to geoscience education at national and international levels. The award recognizes excellence in teaching, resource development, leadership, and ethical engagement within the geoscience education community.

COGE also supports the development of educational materials and curriculum resources. It co-sponsored the publication of Exploring Geoscience Accross the Globe (2019),^[7] an international geoscience education textbook, and contributed to the formulation of the International Geoscience Curriculum in 2014.^[8] These efforts were undertaken in close partnership with IGEO.

Additionally, COGE regularly organizes scientific sessions and Town Halls at major international conferences, such as the AGU Fall Meeting and the International Geological Congress, to foster collaboration among geoscience educators. The Commission is also actively involved in disseminating multilingual educational materials, including digital children’s books through its partnership with the Geosciences Centre of the National University of Mexico (CGEO-UNAM) in Mexico. This organisation works closely with International organisations like IGEO, EGU, Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences in Australasia (WOMEESA)^[9] and locally, with the CGEO-UNAM organising workshops, seminars and talks on Geoscience Education.

Social Media and Outreach

In 2022, COGE established a dedicated Social Media Committee to strengthen its online presence, promote global engagement, and increase visibility of its educational initiatives. The committee manages COGE’s presence across major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and X (previously known as Twitter), LinkedIn, and the official website. A study presented at the AGU Fall Meeting 2023 analyzed user interaction with COGE’s digital content and showed that the most engaging topics included the Geoscience Education Field Officer (GEFO) Program, the Chris King Medal, international collaborations, and educational publications. The study also highlighted the importance of multilingual and interactive content in reaching a global audience.^[10]

Through these initiatives, COGE promotes inclusive and innovative approaches to geoscience education, supporting educators worldwide and contribute to global discussions on curriculum development and geoscience literacy.