Oil patch bits: Doyon makes GeoFORCE Alaska donation

Petroleum News

As reported by Doyon Ltd. News June 3, Doyon and two of its mineral exploration lessees recently donated $50,000 to GeoFORCE Alaska, a hands-on geoscience and science, technology, engineering and mathematics education program run by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. This contribution supports rural Alaska and Alaska Native high school students who participate in GeoFORCE's multi-year academic and field-based learning experiences.

GeoFORCE Alaska is a four-year academic experience focused on students from communities off the road system. Each summer, students travel to new regions to study geology and other STEM subjects in the field. The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving and observation-based learning -- often far outside of the classroom. Over the four-year program, students will visit and learn about geology at Denali National Park, Matanuska Glacier, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Mount St. Helens, Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and many other destinations.

"Doyon has been a long supporter of GeoFORCE, and we are very happy to volunteer time as well as financial support," said Matthew Hanson, resource manager at Doyon Ltd. "Over the past 12 years, this program has given students from off-road systems a unique opportunity to explore the sciences. The participants of this program have an over 90% high school graduation rate, and a high percentage go on to higher education. It's a fantastic program."

As part of Doyon's commitment to support opportunities for shareholder careers in the sciences, natural resources, and engineering, supporting programs like GeoFORCE ensure students are given opportunities early and can build confidence leading to academic success.

For more information about GeoFORCE Alaska, visit www.geoforce.alaska.edu.