The Keck Geology Consortium consists of ten liberal arts colleges focused on enriching undergraduate education through the development of high-quality research experiences. Each summer, with support from the Hanrahan/Maxwell Foundation and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Consortium offers a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program to engage undergraduate students in four- to five-week field and laboratory research projects in the earth sciences. Advanced students continue their summer research projects during the following academic year using cutting-edge laboratory techniques. All students are encouraged to participate in a professional conference. The Keck Geology Consortium is currently administered through Macalester College.

Funding for this REU site is provided by the Hanrahan/Maxwell Foundation and the National Science Foundation’s Division of Earth Sciences (NSF Award 2547795). to the Keck Geology Consortium.

Important Info

Coming Soon: Flyer for 2027-28 Projects

Coming Soon: Application for 2027 Programs

15 Feb: Applications due

16 Mar: Acceptance letters sent

Keck Program Blog

The goals of this blog are (1) to raise the visibility of Keck Geology Consortium programs, (2) to provide Keck research projects with a venue for communicating the process and results of science, and (3) to foster student learning about communicating science to the general public. We invite contributions to the blog from project students, faculty and staff. Submissions will undergo brief review before posting.

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37th Keck Proceedings Volume

Jul 11, 2025 | 2024-2025 Projects, Volumes

ISSN# 1528-7491

Déjà Vu

Apr 28, 2025 | 2024-2025 Projects

From learning 30 types of corals to tracing algae on Adobe Illustrator, my first research experience included fieldwork, gathering samples, traveling abroad, analysis, and invaluable friendships. If you’d told me that my first research experience would include all of that, I wouldn’t have believed you! This experience wasn’t just about learning skills—it was about becoming part of something bigger.

Oreos, Kittens, Springs

Aug 26, 2024 | 2024-2025 Projects

If you had asked me one year ago where I thought I would be this summer, I doubt I would have said slogging up a stream-bed in knee-deep mud, searching for springs. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Ticks, Crocs, Oreos, and Socks.

Aug 26, 2024 | 2024-2025 Projects

Three weeks for three different locations. And 105 total springs. To say I didn’t know what to expect when I accepted my offer from Keck is an understatement—I had never been west of Pennsylvania, and never had I ever seen so much water.