Hiba Sinno, Office of Communications, communications@aub.edu.lb
This summer, ten high school students immersed themselves in the world of Earth sciences—testing water samples, handling lab equipment, analyzing rock formations, and exploring natural sites. Over five days, they engaged with real-world challenges through hands-on experiments, interactive lectures, and a field trip to the Lebanese mountains. Hosted by the American University of Beirut (AUB), Summer and Beyond 2025 opened new perspectives on how geosciences influence daily life and the environment.
The program, designed and led by the Department of Earth Sciences at AUB, introduces high school students to this often-overlooked field. Born from an outreach initiative to several schools in Beirut, the program was a response to a surprising discovery: many students were unaware of how comprehensive and vital the field is. More than 150 students expressed interest during AUB's 2024 Open House, underscoring the need for deeper engagement.
“This summer experience highlights Earth science as a career that will be increasingly relevant over the next 20 to 30 years," says chair of the Department of Earth Sciences, Dr. Joanna Doummar. “Nearly every profession will be directly or indirectly linked to the preservation of the Earth and sustainability."
Students participated in sessions designed to reflect real research practices, including lab safety, grain size analysis, thin section preparation, basin modeling, and titration and infiltration experiments. A highlight was the “Bottle of Water" activity, which evolved from a four-hour lab into a three-day investigation on potable water. Participants asked questions, formed hypotheses, tested ideas, and connected scientific concepts to their everyday environment.
The program also emphasized exposing students to diverse techniques and tools used in geosciences, such as field sampling, conceptual and numerical modeling, and laboratory analysis at AUB's Core Lab, the Kamal A. Shair Central Research Science Laboratory (KAS CRSL)—one of the most advanced labs in the Middle East. The initiative highlights Earth science as a quantitative, interdisciplinary field that intersects with architecture, policy, engineering, medical geology, and the arts.
Participant Malak Ftouni describes the field-to-lab connection as enriching. “The most exciting part was gathering rocks during the field trip and then analyzing them at the Core Lab to understand their composition. I made a lot of new friends who share the same interests. Earth science turned out to be more about the history of the Earth than I expected. You really get to read that history through the rocks."
Naya Al Kayssi echoes the sentiment that the program opens new academic doors. “In our school, we don't really explore geology. This was a great opportunity to grow and learn something new. I used to consider a career in politics, but Dr. Doummar's words really resonated with me—you need science before you go into policymaking. This experience made me reconsider my path."
Looking ahead, the Department of Earth Sciences plans to expand the initiative by introducing further coding for data analysis, advanced modeling techniques, and collaborative research opportunities. A key feature under development is a year-long mentorship program, where students can build on their summer experience by developing a white paper on a geoscience issue relevant to Lebanon.
“Through this, we aim, as mentors, to equip them with the scientific evidence base and policy-writing skills needed to confidently pursue this important endeavor," says Dr. Doummar. From a summer experiment to a sustained journey in discovery, Summer and Beyond is evolving into more than a program—it is becoming a platform for young minds to think critically, work collaboratively, and engage with real-world environmental challenges.