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Events

All Events

Please access the Geology and Environmental Science university calendar to view our upcoming public events.

Departmental Events

The following events are intended for internal departmental personnel only:

Undergraduate Weekly Events & Opportunities Newsletters
GES Office Hours and Closures

Daily office hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

  • Closed - 03/13/26 - Spring Holiday
  • Closed - 05/25/26 - Memorial Day
  • Closed - 06/19/26 - Juneteenth
  • Closed - 07/03/26 - Independence Day
Dissertation & Thesis Defense
GES Spring Colloquia Schedule (2264)

Location: 104 Thaw | Time: 4:00pm

GES Fall Colloquia Schedule (2261)

Location: 104 Thaw | Time: 4:00pm

Graduate Student Organization Events

Techniques and Tools of Academic Writing

March 20th, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on Zoom

This workshop for international graduate students will introduce ways of using digital tools to execute academic writing techniques such as The Corpus of Contemporary American English for finding the right phrase; ChatGPT for editing sentence structures; templates for creating transitions; and more.

Participants should have a draft-in-progress from their project in order to apply these techniques and tools to their writing. 

This Writing Institute workshop is facilitated by Jialei Jiang. 

Register for this workshop at: Techniques and Tools of Academic Writing.

Other Events

The following events sponsored by organizations outside of the department may be of interest: 

Conferences

September 28 - October 1: TIGER Symposium in Geodesy

The TIGER Symposium in Geodesy is the official symposium of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) Commission 3 on Earth rotation and geodynamics. TIGER stands for Tracking and Investigating Geodynamics and Earth Rotation. The 2026 edition will mark the very first meeting of IAG Commission 3 – September 28th to October 1st, 2026.

Commission 3 studies the entire range of physical processes associated with the movement and deformation of the Earth in response to both external and internal forces. In addition to the core focus of Commission 3, the TIGER Symposium will also highlight themes traditionally addressed at the Journées meetings. The TIGER Symposium in Geodesy is also supported by the International Earth Rotation & Reference System Service (IERS), a service of IAG contributing to global reference systems and Earth orientation science.

To foster collaboration across disciplines, IAG Commission 3 works closely with several other IUGG associations – International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI), International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), and International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI) – through a number of joint sub-commissions, making the TIGER Symposium a place where different geoscientific communities can come together and share and discuss their work.

The 2026 TIGER Symposium will be held in Gävle, Sweden. 

Abstract submission is now open. If you are interested in submitting an abstract, please apply on the Symposium website by April 15th, 2026.

March 15 - 19: Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems (SAGEEP)

SAGEEP provides geophysicists, engineers, geoscientists and end-users from around the world an opportunity to meet and discuss near-surface applications of geophysics and learn about recent developments in near-surface geophysics.

SAGEEP is internationally recognized as the leading conference on the practical application of shallow geophysics. Since 1988 at the Colorado School of Mines, the symposium has been held over a 5-day period at locations throughout the United States, with approximately 150 oral and poster presentations, several educational short courses and workshops, numerous vendor presentations, and a commercial exhibition.

SAGEEP 2026 will be held at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown from March 15 - 19, 2026. Please see the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society's website for more information.

May 26, 28, & June 2, 4: 2026 NSF NGF Community Science Conference

The NSF NGF Community Science Conference will take place virtually over four days: May 26 & 28, and June 2 & 4. We’re building a schedule that makes it easy for you to participate, taking advantage of a virtual format to spread sessions out. A detailed agenda will be available when registration opens this spring.

This conference focuses on recent advances in geophysics through innovations in instrumentation, computation, and methodology. It will provide an introduction to new capabilities within the NSF National Geophysical Facility (NGF), with a focus on how these developments can benefit the seismic, geodetic and near-surface geophysics communities and strengthen collaborations across disciplines. Participants will have an opportunity to share and learn about state-of-the-art research, interact with community members, and build new collaborations.

For more information, please see the 2026 conference webpage.

Workshops & Seminars

ESRI Workshops

On Wednesday March 25th from 1 - 4 PM, we are very excited to host two workshops at the Hillman Library, organized and run by representatives from ESRI. Brian Baldwin, Lead Solution Engineer, and Ridge Waddell, Account Manager, will tackle some modern aspects of geospatial mapping and analysis. Students, researchers, and faculty are all welcome. It consists of two parts:

  1. Beyond 2D Maps: Modeling, Visualizing, and Analyzing the Built Environment in 3D: Traditional 2D maps provide valuable context, but complex urban challenges require a more immersive spatial context. This workshop explores how 3D GIS enhances our ability to model, visualize, and evaluate the built environment. Participants will see how ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Urban can be utilized to create interactive 3D scenes, assess development scenarios, and analyze impacts such as zoning compliance, building massing, shadows, and visibility. The session will also highlight additional examples of 3D GIS applications in planning, architecture, and digital twin initiatives. Attendees will gain practical insight into how web-based 3D workflows support better decision-making, stakeholder communication, and more informed urban design. 
  2. GeoAI In Practice: Applying and Refining AI Models in GIS: Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming spatial analysis. This workshop explores how GeoAI workflows within ArcGIS Pro can be used to extract features, classify imagery, and generate predictive insights from geospatial data. Participants will get exposure to deep learning tools, apply pre-trained models from the ArcGIS Living Atlas, and learn how to refine and retrain those models using their own datasets. The session will cover model selection, training data preparation, accuracy assessment, and performance optimization within a practical GIS workflow. Attendees will gain an understanding of how GeoAI enhances efficiency, scalability, and analytical depth across planning, environmental analysis, and infrastructure applications

To register, please see the corresponding links above. Events will take place in the Hillman Library Digital Scholarship Lab (room G-30).

Rooted in Data: Smart Tree Care at Pitt

March 16 I 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Virtual

Ever wonder how Pitt takes care of so many trees? Learn from expert arborist, Leigh Pavlichko, how campus tree health is measured and preserved with cutting-edge diagnostic tools including tomography and sensors that use soundwaves to detect internal condition. Attendees will learn how Pitt is keeping its commitment to maintain and grow tree count and canopy on campus by 2037.

Register to receive the Zoom link here: Rooted in Data: Smart Tree Care at Pitt

Pitt Environmental Health & Safety: Chemical Safety Month

Environmental Health and Safety, along with the Chemical Hygeine Committee has pulled together some programming for Chemical Safety Month. Please see the links below for details on each event:

Pitt Health Sciences Library System: R Bootcamp

The University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library System invites you to join their 4-week online R Bootcamp series! To view Spring 2026 dates and topics, please see the R Bootcamp event series page.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History: R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars

Learn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field during free, hour-long public talks. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series, ongoing since 2010.

To view the full spring 2026 schedule and register to attend, please see the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars homepage.

Spring 2026 topics include:

  • February 12th: Anti-Racist Initiatives in Exhibition Development at Science Museums
  • March 9th: A Search for Evidence of Past Habitability in Jezero Crater, Mars
  • April 9th: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians
  • May 7th: Lightning Talks from Carnegie Museum Scientists

EarthScope Webinars

You are invited to attend the EarthScope Consortium's webinar series! For information on the webinars scheduled for Spring 2026, please see the EarthScope Consortium's Event Calendar.

Service Opportunities

2026 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF)

Kamin Science Center is looking for volunteer judges for the 2026 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PRSEF). This is the largest science fair in Western PA and features research projects by middle and high schoolers from throughout the state.

To qualify to be a Category Judge, one must be a dean, professor, or graduate student doing research on a topic related to one of PRSEF’s umbrella categories. Categories include behavior & social science, biology, chemistry, computer science & math, earth & environment, engineering & robotics; medicine, health, & microbiology; and physics & astronomy. Come represent your department to the next generation of STEM researchers!

Free all-day parking and a boxed breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Registration is easy and judging occurs two days at the end of March. Judges can be attend for one day or both days. The 2026 fair will be held on March 24 & 25, 2026. Register at: https://stemisphere.org/prsef/judge-registration/ 

Questions? Contact Sophia Wyszomierski: 412-706-1402, wyszomierskis@kaminsciencecenter.org. 

NextGen Advisory Council

The NextGen Advisory Council was created by DCNR to offer fresh perspectives on public lands, outdoor recreation, and conservation initiatives in Pennsylvania.

Its mission is to:

  • Make outdoor spaces welcoming for all
  • Advocate for inclusive and accessible programs
  • Build and retain a diverse workforce in conservation

By bringing together high school students to young professionals (up to age 35), the council ensures that younger voices play a role in shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. The council typically has 20 young, diverse members from across Pennsylvania. No prior experience in conservation or government is needed. A desire to contribute and work toward inclusive conservation and recreation is key.


Expectations include:

  • Attending quarterly meetings on the third Tuesday of January, April, July, and October. These meetings are virtual, featuring talks from department staff and discussions on projects.
  • Joining optional evening meetings for committees and special projects.
  • Committing to an initial three-year term, with the option to extend.

If you have questions about the council or how to apply, please contact the department.
Go to the NextGen Advisory Council website for more information and the application. Applications to serve on the NextGen Advisory Council are generally accepted in July.

Miscellaneous

Pitt Business Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Pitt Business supports the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, helping low- and moderate-income taxpayers in the Pittsburgh area prepare and file their taxes.

Qualified taxpayers include those with incomes under $65,000 per year. University students and employees are encouraged to schedule an appointment from February 2 through April 15 by calling 2-1-1 or visiting https://southwest.pa211.org/. 

Pittsburgh Geological Society Student Night: March 18, 2026

The Pittsburgh Geological Society's annual student night is an opportunity for students to showcase their research, compete for awards, and talk to local professionals (possibly future employers). Monetary awards are planned for the best poster in undergraduate and graduate categories. 

The 2026 Student Night is scheduled for March 18, 2026 at Gaetano's Banquet Center (1617 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh, 15216), Application instructions are forthcoming and will be posted here when available.