Julian Thomson

Geologist and field scientist. Specialist in geology, rocks, and reading climate change through the landscape. Taking students into the field to understand the story the land tells.
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Work with

Julian Thomson

Julian, “The Geology Guy”, has a school teaching background followed by 15 years as a geoscience communicator in Aotearoa. In 2019, he won the Science Communicators of New Zealand (SCANZ) Award, and in 2022 he was awarded the Hayward Geocommunication Award by the Geoscience Society of New Zealand.

Julian can show how the everyday world of landscapes and rocks we usually take for granted – is filled with fascinating information about powerful and wonderful natural processes. From creating an inquiry-based geology field trip to hands-on classroom activities on earthquakes, Antarctica and glaciers, volcanoes, rocks and fossils, Julian can show you how to bring earth science to life for your students. He also runs ecology field trips and even has a collection of mammal bones and skulls that reveal secrets of skeleton adaptations.

Julian’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/outtherelearning has many Earth science videos that are used in NZ schools. Also, check out his brainchild www.geotrips.org.nz where you can locate great geology sites to explore around the country.

Find out more about Julian’s activities on his website https://outtherelearning.co.nz/ and contact him if you would like a visit to your school.

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Julian Thomson

we are a team of scientists and science communicators
WE DO FIELD WORK THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE ​

Some of the things we talk about
2025 After Dark asteroids bees biodiversity biosecurity birds bugs bush Central Auckland Christchurch citizen science climate change Conservation Dunedin earthquakes Ecology fossils freshwater freshwater ecology geography geology Gisborne Hawke's Bay intelligence Invercargill kaitiakitanga Kapiti Macroinvertebrates marine life Mars Moon nature Navigation Nelson North Auckland oceans rocks Rotorua South Auckland Taranaki Taupo Tauranga Wairarapa water quality

We grew up outside, connected with the nature and believe that our kids should go outside too.

Here, at Field-based STEM, we are all working as a big team. Tap into our collective expertise.  

"Unlike scientific community programmes that are expensive and require lots of investment, field work is done by individuals and is accessible to anyone. The skills gained during field work open up a huge area for everyone undertaking it."

Tony Jones, Founder Tweet

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