We have continued developing curriculum mapping tools using GEO-UIB as a test bed and are in the process of creating a comprehensive curriculum database. Significant progress has been made in understanding the teaching networks within the national iEarth consortium, which now informs our development efforts to create profound and lasting change. This has culminated in the successful redesign of a portfolio of mandatory courses set to launch in 2024-25 at GEO-UIB. These courses incorporate innovative active learning and assessment methods, with learning experiences explicitly connected across semesters through an Earth Systems approach.

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This year, the initial analysis of the teaching network's structure and function, as well as the diffusion of innovation based on the findings at GEO-UIB, was published. To improve collaborative workflows in higher education, we engaged a system developer to create a technological solution that supports and sustains collaborative design processes. The resulting prototype features a flexible learning design app with real-time visualisations and analytics across multiple levels, from individual activities to program-wide assessments.

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The Department of Geosciences at UiT has organised seminars and workshops to review, develop, and enhance the BSc in Geosciences according to UiT’s new undergraduate education model. These activities aim to transform teaching into a collaborative process with shared responsibility among faculty members at each institution and across iEarth.

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The iEarth development project funds (Seed Projects) have served as incentives to foster cooperation in teaching and learning across departments, engage students in enhancing their learning environment, and promote Scholarship in Teaching and Learning. In 2024, applications were accepted on a rolling basis until the call closed in the fall, as we approached the end of the funding period in June 2025. Eighteen projects received funding in 2024, with a maximum of 150,000 NOK available per project. Since the inception of iEarth in 2020, 107 Seed Projects have been supported, all aimed at educational development.

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The iEarth Education Research Group (ERG) was established in 2021, and its core members include doctoral candidates, post-doctoral fellows, iEarth adjunct professors, members of the doctoral candidates’ supervision teams, and other iEarth staff. The ERG conducts geoeducational research activities that connect the geoeducation interests of individuals within the iEarth partner institutions and supports the broader iEarth community by providing resources, activities, presentations, and ideas. In 2024, the ERG’s activities were organised by Maria Weurlander, Associate Professor II at the Department of Geosciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

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At UNIS, iEarth aims to test and document methods to advance student field-based learning and optimise knowledge transfer between the classroom and the field. These objectives have been pursued in collaboration with members of the former bioCEED SFU and FieldPass, as well as through digital learning environments in field-based geoscience teaching projects and the identification of local field laboratory sites. Building on previous years (2021-2023), the 'UNIS Field TA Academy' course for PhDs, masters, and postdocs was successfully held in Spring 2024, with participation from all UNIS departments and adjuncts from the University of Bergen Pedagogics unit, involving ten students.

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In 2024, 45 students participated in the GeoIntern course across Tromsø (GEO-2013 | UiT), Bergen (GEOV298 | UiB), and Oslo (GEO3050 | UiO). At UiT, 16 students interned at nine different businesses and organisations in Tromsø, Harstad, Sørfold, and Trondheim. At UiB, 25 students completed internships with fourteen companies in Bergen, Jelsa, Brønnøysund, and Førde. UiO had four students interning at organisations such as NVE, NGI, MET Office, Statens Vegvesen, and NORSAR.

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Throughout 2024, we observed ongoing development across iEarth. All student chapters remained active and supported by staff, featuring a regular program of diverse social and academic events, from GeOrakel study events to movie nights and UNIS breakfasts.

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In our strategic discussions, we decided to expand the iEarth network by inviting new partners. In the spring of 2025, we aim to further strengthen the iEarth network, focusing on curriculum development and exploring new ways to share resources among partners while seeking new funding sources. We have secured funding for a network coordinator at GEO-UIB until 2029, with smaller amounts allocated to other institutions to maintain ongoing work. However, a challenge remains as no additional funds are available to buy out staff time for iEarth activities, requiring all involved to find time within their schedules.

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Read the full annual report here

https://www.iearth.no/document-portal/iearth-annual-report-2024