EPCC Marks 5th Annual Earth Science Week with Community Activities
Photo courtesy of El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College held its 5th annual Earth Science Week at the Transmountain Campus mall on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, bringing students, faculty and community members together for hands-on lessons about geology, environmental science and green energy resources.
The event explored the national theme “Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society” through interactive demonstrations, information booths, special talks and art activities. Participants learned about the region’s landscape and geology while exploring ways science and technology can support environmental awareness.
EPCC’s Chemistry Club presented science demonstrations, including Oobleck, a cornstarch-based mixture that becomes firm when moved, and dry ice bubbles. The America View booth featured remote sensing and art activities, while guest speakers discussed the use of satellite data in environmental science.
Holli Kohl from the NASA Globe Program and EPCC Geology instructor Perry Houser spoke about remote sensing, satellite data and ways the community can participate in collecting information for NASA’s PACE program.
The event also connected EPCC with partner organizations, including NASA, The University of Texas at El Paso, the PREE H2O Internship Program, America View, the EPISD Roddenberry Planetarium, North America Rock Garden Society, The Globe Program, Philosophic Systems Institute and Keystone Heritage Park.
Dr. John Olgin, an EPCC physics and astronomy instructor and coordinator for Physics, Astronomy and Geology, said the event was intended to encourage community involvement and interest in the outdoors. Students also had opportunities to take the activities home, with one Respiratory Care Tech major noting that the demonstrations offered ideas she could teach her children.
Earth Science Week is part of an annual national awareness initiative promoted by the American Geosciences Institute. More information about the initiative is available at earthsciweek.org. Information about EPCC’s Earth Science Program is available at EPCC’s Physics program page.