The Environmental Science & Technology Institute

Investigate your local environment and analyze your findings in UVM’s labs to learn about our changing natural world!

“ They told us the GIV experience was life-changing. I was like, "There's no way that one week can really do that?..." But it really can! After doing this Institute I've had an explosion of just so many ideas!

— Adina,   2023 Environmental Science & Technology Alum

About the Environmental Science &Technology Institute...

Are you ready to revolutionize the ways you understand our natural world?

At the Environmental Science & Technology Institute you get to investigate what’s in our air, water, and soil. Focused on adventure and real-world exploration, we collect environmental data from your own communities across the state and bring those samples to UVM’s state-of-the-art labs to analyze, interpret, and make inferences. Combined with investigations of our surrounding environment, this Institute creates new ways of thinking through research, discoveries, and solutions.

College credits available.

2025 Institute Information Coming Soon!

For information regarding this Institute’s sliding-scale tuition support, please click here.

Environmental Science and Technology 2024
Environmental Science 2024

At This Institute You Will...

  • Explore local environmental issues, gathering lake, stream and soil data.
  • Combine outdoor field research with computing and laboratory technology.
  • Evaluate the distribution of pollutants in our air, water, and soil.
  • Learn the scientific method, collect environmental data, and present your work.
  • Identify academic and professional career paths for emerging scientists.
  • Connect with peers who share your interests.
  • Have the time of your life!

Experience the vibe at Environmental Science & Technology!

Earn College Credit At This Institute!

This Institute offers 4 credits through the University of Vermont! Every student who completes the Institute is eligible for these credits.

Please note that colleges charge extra tuition and fees on top of GIV tuition for granting credits, but students can utilize a Dual Enrollment voucher to fully cover the college tuition. The Dual Enrollment program guarantees free college tuition for most rising VT juniors and seniors. For other support options such as those offered through VSAC or the Fast Forward program for technical center students, contact us and we can help!

Important Note: students need to apply for this credit before attending the Institute.

See our latest Academic Guide for specific information about registering for the course, including links and detailed instructions.

For more information contact us at [email protected].

Environmental Science 2024

Attending this Institute can earn you credit and proficiencies!

How To Get High School Credit

We encourage all students who participate in an Institute to use the experience to earn high school credit.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school, so we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor before attending GIV to earn their credit.

Each school has unique requirements around proficiencies, credits, and PLPs, so there are multiple pathways to awarding credit based on your school's system of assessments.

However, we recommend that high schools award credit by having students produce one or more of the following...
- A presentation to reflect on the overall experience to present for counselors and/or teachers in the fall after their participation.
- A learning journal for submission about areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if we can directly help or support you or your school in determining credit opportunities for your experience at GIV.

Institute Format

Online introduction from home followed by 1-week intensive on campus
Introduction activities in student home communities, collecting samples for analysis
Students follow curriculum of varied workshops and presentations
Students work independently and in teams on analysis and data projects
Field trips to area centers of environmental work and study
UVM Lake Champlain Research boat for water studies
Dormitories and roommates
12:1 student-to-staff ratio

Curriculum Topics

Ecology
Sustainability
Conservation
Energy and renewable sources
Water systems and quality
Drone and survey technology
Biodiversity
Environmental economics
Agriculture and local industry
and more!

Hours and Opportunities

70+ hours of environmental science training
Connections with professionals working in environmental fields and college professors
Resume-building
New understandings about local environmental impacts

High School Credit Recommendations

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Science - Physical Sciences
Science - Life Sciences
Science - Engineering and Technology

VT Proficiency Indicators

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level.

Science
- Physical Sciences: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1j, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g
- Life Sciences: 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4d, 4e
- Earth & Space Sciences: 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7i, 7j
- Engineering Technology & Applied Science: 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

College Credit Opportunities

Eligible for 4 college credit hours through the University of Vermont.
Dual Enrollment voucher eligible.
See our Academic Guide for the latest information about how to get this credit by going to giv.org/academicguide

So how does it all work?

Every day is a unique experience filled with expert-led instruction, hands-on investigation, field trips, and immersive learning. We work to build a community around our experiences and share in our passion for everything we explore.

**The schedule is slightly different each year and announced when you arrive!

GIV’s supportive Institute structure is endlessly enriching, empowering, and engaging.

An Example of a Day at the Environmental Science and Technology Institute

Morning: Morning Workshops
Late Morning: Sample and Data Analysis
Afternoon: Field Trip
Late Afternoon: Guest Speaker/Presentations
Evening: Nightly Social Activity

Environmental Sciences & Technology Faculty

Christine Massey is a Researcher in the Geology Department at the University of Vermont and holds a BA and MS in Geology. She works at the Perkins Museum of Geology on grant-funded initiatives and facilitates science education for students and teachers in Vermont. Her projects include: 1) The Landscape Change Program where she helps coordinate a large historic photograph collection of Vermont landscapes, helps understand how students learn using images, and works with K-12 teachers to develop curriculum using images, 2) Directing the Governor’s Institute in Environmental Science and Technology for capable and motivated Vermont high school students, 3) Directing the Perkins Museum Environmental Science Day Camp for children in grades 1-7, and 4) Coordinating the creation of educational vignettes for a new textbook in Geomorphology.  Christine lives in Burlington, VT with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys cross-country skiing and baking pies.

Paul Bierman is a professor of Geology at UVM, where he engages people of all ages in the study of how Earth’s surface works. For almost 20 years, he’s done research in Vermont and many other places around the world including far northern Canada, Greenland, central Australia, southern Africa, the Middle East, and the American southwest. His latest project uses historic imagery to document the impact of people on Vermont landscapes and the impact of landscape events on Vermont people and societies.  Paul earned his BA from Williams College in 1985 and his MS and PhD from the University of Washington, the latter in 1993. He has been at UVM ever since, with appointments in Geology and the School of Natural Resources.  In 2005, Paul was awarded one of the National Science Foundation’s highest honors: the Director’s award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars. This award now supports the Vermont Landscape Change Program, a digital archive of historic imagery.

Thank you to our Institute Supporters!

Environmental Science Sponsors 2024

If you are wanting to make a positive impact on the natural environment and the world, then this is the Institute for you!

Follow GIV On Social Media