118-1 The Groundwater Project: Expanding from Books to Self-Education and Beyond

Session: Groundwater in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Presenting Author:

Author:

Abstract:

The Groundwater Project (GW-P) was initiated in 2017, became a not-for-profit in 2019 and a charity in 2020. It was established to provide synthesized high quality groundwater education to everyone globally. The organization is based on volunteerism with donations that support a small international staff who sustain our mission. In the 5 years since book publication and other education materials began, the Groundwater Project has positioned itself as a global leader relied upon by people in 183 countries for free, high-quality, groundwater education. With over 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries acting as authors, translators and reviewers, there is worldwide engagement. Education is provided for children, university students, scientists, practitioners, and members of the public. The need is evident with 2.6 million readings since August 2020 and an additional 100,000 to 150,000 readings each month. The books appear first in English followed by translations with 57 languages in translation at present. The aim is for hundreds of books including case studies covering all significant topics in groundwater science and interactions in the hydrologic cycle and ecological systems.

In 2024, the vision expanded to convert book knowledge into active learning modules and then entire courses to become a virtual learning academy where students participate in self-learning with automated testing and certifications. The GW-P is striving to make it possible for anyone to develop an understanding of hydrogeology basics so that instructor-led education can focus on critical thinking. Emphasis is on development of spatial thinking skills through abundant use of figures for pushing students to form ideas in sketches and other expressions of spatial thinking. With advice from pedagogical experts, this will be pushed as far as possible. The GW-Project fills a need that is not being addressed by the academic community, by serving those who want to become groundwater knowledgeable but do not have access to academia. This includes most of the people around the globe who seek to acquire a better understanding of groundwater and access safe drinking water.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10331

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.