We are thrilled to welcome a true rock star in STEM and field-based education to our team. Starting on 1 February, Brynja Stefánsdóttir will join GeoCamp Iceland as a part-time project manager, focusing on managing curricula and field guide development.

Brynja is a specialist in science education and outdoor learning, with a strong focus on fostering innovative teaching practices in STEM fields. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in natural sciences and teaching from the University of Iceland (2016), alongside a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in natural sciences teaching (2014). Currently, she is furthering her studies in environmental science at the Agricultural University of Iceland.

Brynja brings extensive teaching experience, including her work as a natural sciences teacher at Stapaskóli primary school in Reykjanesbær. She has developed and led science and technology workshops for students of all ages, including pre-primary education. Her work also encompasses sustainability-focused educational programmes, featuring hands-on projects that highlight the circular economy, waste reduction, and community engagement.

Beyond the classroom, Brynja has contributed to national initiatives aimed at revising competency criteria for science subjects and simplifying teaching frameworks to enhance accessibility for students and educators. She also facilitates creative workshops for adult learners, including individuals with disabilities. Her notable achievements include coordinating Stapaskóli’s “Stapavaka,” a science fair that celebrates students’ use of scientific methods and research.

Brynja’s expertise in curriculum development, outdoor education, and sustainability, combined with her passion for connecting students with nature, makes her a vital addition to the GeoCamp Iceland team. We look forward to working with her in the future on all the exciting projects ahead.

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the "International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation", highlighting the vital role glaciers play in Earth’s ecosystems and their critical importance as indicators of climate change. As glaciers worldwide retreat at an unprecedented rate, this initiative calls for urgent global action to preserve these natural wonders.

The Icelandic glaciers have been an integral part of GeoCamp Iceland’s narrative from the very beginning. By bringing students and teachers to recently formed glacial lagoons, rapidly shrinking glacier tongues, landscapes newly revealed by retreating ice, and the majestic moraines left behind, we provide not just an awe-inspiring experience but also an educational journey. These visits serve as outdoor classrooms where participants connect with the dynamic processes shaping Iceland’s environment, explore the impacts of climate change, and gain a deeper appreciation for the vital role glaciers play in our world.

Iceland’s glaciers are not just geographical marvels; they are reservoirs of history, culture, and ecological significance. Covering approximately 11% of the country’s landmass, glaciers like Vatnajökull and Sólheimajökull have shaped Iceland’s landscapes and its people’s connection to nature. Yet, the rapid retreat of these ice masses underscores the urgent need to address climate change and preserve this integral part of the planet’s cryosphere.

GeoCamp Iceland kemur að þremur verkefnum sem hlutu styrk úr Uppbyggingarsjóði Suðurnesja 2025, en úthlutun úr sjóðnum átti sér stað í Hljómahöll föstudaginn 17. janúar síðastliðinn.
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STEAM Reykjanes: Samstarf atvinnulífs og skóla um færni til framtíðar
GeoCamp Iceland leiðir verkefnið „STEAM Reykjanes“ sem miðar að því að efla menntun í vísindum, tækni, verkfræði, listum og stærðfræði (STEAM) á Suðurnesjum. Verkefnið tengir saman skóla, atvinnulíf og samfélag við þekkingu, umhverfi og náttúruauðlindir svæðisins. Verkefnið felur í sér kortlagningu á samfélagslegum áhrifum STEAM-greina á Suðurnesjum og þarfagreiningu á framtíðarfærni atvinnulífsins, byggt á innviðum og auðlindum svæðisins. Þá verður unnið að þróun tækifæra til eflingar STEAM-náms í skólum og fræðslu fyrir almenning og gesti svæðisins. Megin markmiðið með verkefninu er að vinna að stofnun STEAM-seturs á Reykjanesi, með það að markmiði að tengja saman fjölbreyttar auðlindir, náttúru og samfélag í öflugu samstarfi atvinnulífs, skóla og rannsóknarstofnana.

Gárur á Reykjanesi: Vísindalæsi og útikennsla í Reykjanes jarðvangi
Reykjanes jarðvangur leiðir verkefnið „Gárur á Reykjanesinu: Vísindalæsi og útikennsla í Reykjanes jarðvangi“ sem hefur það markmið að auka áhuga og þekkingu ungs fólks á náttúruvísindum með útikennslu og skapandi fræðsluverkefnum. Verkefnið kortleggur námstækifæri í nærumhverfi grunnskóla á Reykjanesi og safnar þeim í aðgengilegan gagnabanka. Með því að skrásetja náttúrufyrirbæri, áhugaverða staði, sögur og menningartengda staði í nærumhverfi skólanna er stefnt að því að efla tengsl nemenda við umhverfið, auka þekkingu þeirra, virðingu fyrir náttúrunni og stuðla að sjálfbærri nýtingu auðlinda. Verkefnið stuðlar að vísindalæsi og sjálfbærni með því að nýta einstaka jarðfræðilega sérstöðu Reykjanes jarðvangs sem lifandi kennslustofu. Sigrún Svafa Ólafsdóttir, verkefnastjóri GeoCamp Iceland heldur utan um verkefnið fyrir hönd jarðvangsins.

Nærandi ferðaþjónusta í kviku umhverfi: Reykjanesið sem áfangastaður fyrir vísindamiðlun og rannsóknir
Markaðsstofa Reykjaness leiðis verkefnið „Nærandi ferðaþjónusta í kviku umhverfi“ í samstarfi við GeoCamp Iceland, en það gengur út á markaðssetningu og uppbyggingu sérhæfðrar ferðaþjónustu á Reykjanesinu á tímum eldsumbrota, þar sem lögð verður áhersla á nærandi ferðaþjónustu til að auka athygli á svæðinu fyrir alþjóðlega rannsóknar- og fræðsluhópa. Markmið verkefnisins verður að stuðla að nærandi ferðaþjónustu og eflingu svæðisins sem áfangastað jarðfræði-, eldfjalla- og umhverfisrannsókna. Unnið verður að markvissri markaðssetningu á Reykjanesinu sem lifandi áfangastað fyrir fræðslu- og vísindatengda ferðaþjónustu, þar sem alþjóðlegir rannsóknar- og nemendahópar fá aðgang að einstöku umhverfi til náms, rannsókna og þekkingarmiðlunar, og þar með auka sýnileika svæðisins í alþjóðlegu vísindasamfélagi.
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Uppbyggingarsjóður Suðurnesja er samkeppnissjóður sem hefur það verkefni að styðja við verkefni sem falla að Sóknaráætlun Suðurnesja á sviði menningar, atvinnu og nýsköpunar. Samband sveitarfélaga á Suðurnesjum (SSS) annast umsýslu sjóðsins og er auglýst eftir styrkumsóknum einu sinni á ári.

This December, GeoCamp Iceland had the opportunity to participate in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2024 in Washington DC, the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world. With over 25,000 attendees, the conference served as an inspiring platform for scientists, educators, and innovators to connect, collaborate, and share groundbreaking research.

For GeoCamp Iceland, this was a milestone moment—our fifth time exhibiting at AGU and undoubtedly our most successful to date. Over the course of the event, our booth became a hub for enthusiastic conversations about Iceland’s unique role as a natural laboratory for geosciences, sustainability, and energy education.

Unprecedented Interest in Iceland

We were thrilled to see an unprecedented number of visitors at our booth this year. Attendees from universities, high schools, and alumni groups expressed keen interest in bringing their students and faculty to Iceland to experience GeoCamp’s educational programs. By the end of the conference, all 400 of our informational pamphlets were distributed, along with numerous maps, postcards, and books showcasing the wonders of the Reykjanes Peninsula and beyond.

Building New Partnerships

During AGU, we had the pleasure of meeting dozens of university representatives eager to explore collaboration opportunities. From tailored study tours for student groups to workshops on sustainability and Earth sciences, the discussions underscored the growing demand for hands-on, place-based learning experiences.

We are especially excited about the connections we established with institutions interested in integrating Iceland into their curricula. These collaborations will not only enrich the academic experiences of participants but also promote greater understanding of our planet’s dynamic processes and the importance of sustainable living.

Looking Ahead

GeoCamp Iceland’s participation at AGU 2024 was a good reminder of the global community’s shared commitment to education, research, and environmental stewardship. As we look to 2025, we are inspired to expand our reach, enhance our programs, and welcome even more groups to Iceland’s unparalleled outdoor classroom.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited us at AGU 2024, shared their ideas, and showed interest in working with us. If you’re curious about our programs or would like to explore bringing a group to Iceland, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, let’s continue to inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and changemakers.

Contact Us

Interested in learning more about GeoCamp Iceland? Email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!