Shaping Earth Science Education Together at GeoSciEdX

From August 14th to 16th, the global geoscience community converged at Adelaide Botanic High School for the 10th International Conference on Geoscience Education (GeoSciEdX 2026). As a co-chairing partner over a transformative four-year journey, the CoRE Learning Foundation alongside the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC) stood at the very centre of this milestone event. Bringing together over 130 national and international delegates, educators, researchers, and resource sector leaders, the conference served as a powerful celebration of how organisations like CoRE are actively reshaping Earth Science education, breaking down learning barriers, and putting real-world Earth Science learning on the global map.

A Four-Year Culmination of Global Leadership

Over the past four years, Suzy Urbaniak, OAM -CoRE Lead,  and Kim Frankcombe, Secretary - AGC, have worked to co-chair and shape the global agenda for GeoSciEdX, establishing the conference as an undeniable benchmark to learn about hands-on, industry-aligned earth science education. This event was the ultimate culmination of that dedication.

Throughout the three days, delegates repeatedly applauded and thanked conference organisers for their visionary leadership and relentless drive to bridge the gap between traditional educational frameworks and the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce. By replacing static textbook theory with student-led discovery, CoRE demonstrated how regional innovation in Western Australia has grown into a nationally acclaimed model for educational reform.

Day 1: Showcasing Real-World Geology at Hallett Cove

The conference opened with an immersive field trip to the ancient coastal formations of Hallett Cove. Delegates broke up into streams, with the primary stream led by CoRE Co-Founder and Lead Suzy Urbaniak OAM and assisted by  Lachlan Hallett from AusEarth Ed. Field trips are the heartbeat of #TheRealClassroom, transforming natural landscapes into living, breathing classrooms.

Walking along the geological marvels of Hallett Cove, national and international delegates experienced firsthand how we impart real-world context into learning. Rather than observing geology from afar, participants engaged directly with Earth processes, gaining an invaluable perspective on how immersive field experiences build critical thinking, keen observation skills, and deep understanding of key concepts.

“Absolutely brilliant!  I am so excited to share with my students what I have learned. Just so appreciative to have been a part of this amazing opportunity.”  Rebecca Ratzclaff, primary teacher

Day 2: Understanding Earth Science Education

Day 2 brought delegates inside for dynamic, hands-on workshops dedicated to experiencing key geological concepts. International educators dove headfirst into our signature game, Old As Dirt, discovering how gamification transforms Earth Science into an interactive, high-energy learning tool.

Throughout the day, delegates explored insightful workshops, networking, and a visit to the University of Adelaide, where they were able to see geomodeling techniques, trigger tsunami simulations to model coastal impacts, and examine an exceptional rock collection. A highlight for CoRE’s Jacobi Herringer was observing fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark minerals come alive under black light. 

Day 3: Shaping the Future with “Big Ideas Day”

The final day of the conference marked the culmination of the collective vision through "Big Ideas Day," led by Katrina Rees, Principal Structural Geologist - BHP, to tackle systemic challenges in Earth Science education. Katrina utilised the strategic SOAR framework, focusing on Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results, to lead delegates through collaborative sessions.

International leaders, educators, and industry advocates joined forces to evaluate what is currently succeeding in classrooms, identify untapped industry synergies, and plot a clear evolutionary path for Earth Science education both across Australia and globally. The energy in the room was palpable as participants crafted actionable strategies to empower the next generation of young leaders.

Looking Forward

"What a great way to end GeoSciEdX 2026," shared Suzy Urbaniak OAM following the closing session. "Amazing new friends, a great atmosphere, and a solid geoscience conference for the CoRE Learning Foundation."

The resounding success of GeoSciEdX 2026 reaffirms that CoRE’s unique combination of field-based learning, Gamifying Earth Science, and educator partnerships is leading the nation forward in earth science education. As we reflect on the planning and delivery of the conference in Adelaide, CoRE remains steadfast in its mission to expand #TheRealClassroom to more schools, inspire more educators, and prepare tomorrow’s workforce to tackle the world's most pressing challenges.

Interested in bringing #TheRealClassroom to your school or partnering with our organisation? Reach out to us at info@corefoundation.com.au to discover how we can partner to transform STEM learning together.