A new wave of undergraduate and graduate students is stepping beyond the classroom to tackle real-world climate and energy challenges through internships, research programs, and international collaborations. From geothermal energy research in Alaska to carbon cycle studies in Indiana, students in Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are building practical skills that could shape how we address environmental crises.

What Are Students Learning About Climate Solutions?

This summer, Penn State students pursued diverse climate and sustainability-focused opportunities that blend academic training with hands-on problem-solving. The experiences ranged from monitoring water quality at mining operations to researching how carbon, water, and energy move between land and the atmosphere. These internships and research programs represent a shift in how universities prepare the next generation of environmental professionals, moving beyond theory to real-world application.

One standout example comes from Declan Goldhawk, an Earth science and policy major who spent the summer on a National Science Foundation funded internship at The Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Goldhawk was part of a team researching sustainable solutions for Alaska's energy challenges, with a specific focus on geothermal energy as a potential answer to the region's power needs. Goldhawk explained the significance of his work, noting that the intersection of his major and the potential impact on Alaska's energy crisis made the experience particularly meaningful.

"The intersection of both parts of my major and the fact that my research may be able to help with the impending Alaskan energy crisis makes this internship especially gratifying," said Declan Goldhawk.

Declan Goldhawk, Earth Science and Policy Major, Penn State University

Another student, Sierra Hill, a master's degree student in meteorology and atmospheric science, traveled to Indiana to complete FluxCourse, an intensive program focused on understanding how carbon, water, and energy move between land and the atmosphere. This type of research directly supports climate science by helping scientists identify carbon sources and sinks, which are critical for understanding how to mitigate climate change and help communities adapt to environmental shifts.

How Are Universities Preparing Students for Climate Tech Careers?

• International Research Partnerships: Students like Kaylin Lamaute traveled to Japan through the Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) program, an international initiative driven by the Japan Science and Technology Agency that funds collaborative research between Japanese institutions and advanced nations.
• Hands-On Environmental Monitoring: Students conducted fieldwork at remediation sites across Pennsylvania, gathering water and soil samples at more than fifteen locations while meeting with government agencies and municipalities to discuss environmental test results and restoration efforts.
• Disaster Resilience and Community Recovery: Groups of students visited Japan and the Pacific Northwest through the Center for Advanced Undergraduate Studies and Experience (CAUSE) program to study how communities recover from disasters and build resilience for future climate-related events.
• Waste Management and Campus Sustainability: Interns worked on practical sustainability projects, such as updating maps of indoor waste stations across campus and attending professional conferences to learn about waste reduction practices across entire regions.
• Mining and Ecosystem Protection: Graduate students interned at major mining operations to monitor environmental systems, study water quality, and learn how industrial operations protect surrounding ecosystems while extracting resources.

These programs reflect a broader recognition that climate and energy professionals need more than classroom knowledge. They need exposure to real projects, real stakeholders, and real constraints. By combining academic study with internships at energy companies, environmental agencies, and research institutions, universities are creating a pipeline of professionals equipped to tackle the climate crisis with both technical expertise and practical experience.

The diversity of opportunities also signals how climate solutions span multiple disciplines. Students majoring in materials science, petroleum engineering, meteorology, Earth science, and geography are all finding ways to contribute to sustainability goals. Some are working on traditional energy challenges, like optimizing oil and gas operations; others are exploring renewable alternatives, like geothermal power; and still others are building the communication and policy skills needed to translate climate science into action.

For universities, these experiential learning programs serve a dual purpose. They prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving climate tech sector while also generating research and insights that benefit communities facing environmental challenges. As climate impacts intensify, the demand for professionals trained in both the science and the real-world application of climate solutions will only grow. Penn State's approach, connecting classroom learning to internships, research programs, and international collaboration, offers a model for how higher education can accelerate progress on environmental challenges while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.