AmericaView is a U.S.-based national non-profit that advances Earth observation education through remote sensing science, applied research, workforce development, technology transfer, and community outreach. TexasView, one of 41 StateViews, develops learning activities, games, demonstrations, and art displays designed to enhance geospatial literacy.  The “Texas as Art” exhibit has been touring university art museums, public and private art museums, and  nature centers across the state since 2021.  The images in “Texas as Art” are designed to engage the viewer - though art - with the diversity of Texas landscapes including the expression of natural ecosystem elements (water, vegetation, soil, bedrock, weather, climate), landscape features (mountains, rivers, plateaus) and the expanding human footprint (agriculture, cities, energy production).  Two themes connect the selected images for the exhibit: 1. Texas’ natural ecoregions and landforms, and 2. Texas’ state and national parks, historic areas, and natural areas, and their scientific management, conservation, and restoration by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Park System.

In 2024, TexasView Director Dodge was invited to participate in the European GeoParks Annual Conference held in Reykjanesbær, Iceland and hosted by the Reykjanes GeoPark.  Dodge presented a workshop to attendees that highlighted the experiential lessons, games, posters, and teachers’ guide associated with the Texas as Art exhibit, and introduced newly the developed “Iceland as Art” exhibit and educational materials as models for GeoPark art-based community outreach to students, teachers, and community members.  These materials were created in cooperation with STEM development and educational outreach staff from GeoCamp Iceland.  GeoCamp Iceland is an educational project dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding in natural sciences with active, field-based learning. The organization develops educational content including student and teacher guides and curricula, and leads field courses for international study groups focusing on natural sciences, environmental challenges, climate change and STEM education.

Collaborations developed among AmericaView, GeoCamp Iceland, the Reykjanes GeoPark, and other partners are ongoing.  The starting point for this cooperation began with GeoCamp Iceland’s partnership with the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE), where Dodge first connected with GeoCamp  through a professional development opportunity for educators sponsored by NCGE.  The overlap in goals between TexasView, AmericaView, GeoCamp, and NCGE will facilitate future efforts to expand both STEAM educational resource development and partnerships with other GeoParks.