Geothermal Rising's NextGen Geo Committee invites all student participants and young professional advocates, both member and non-member alike, to connect and engage with their geothermal community peers. GR Student activities provide fun, interactive opportunities for you to grow your personal geothermal networking community and make some new friends along the way!

Sunday, October 26

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | FREE Steamboat Hills Field Trip #3: NextGen Participants Only* | The Steamboat Geothermal Complex, located in Washoe County, Nevada, features six advanced binary cycle power plants that utilize air cooling to produce clean, renewable energy. With a total generating capacity of 84 megawatts, the facility showcases nearly three decades of geothermal innovation—beginning with its first plant in 1992 and expanding to its most recent addition in June 2020. Students will gain insight into sustainable energy development, geothermal technology, and the role of innovation in clean power generation. Safety Requirements: All attendees must wear closed-toe shoes, long-sleeve shirts, and pants. *We are excited to offer this free field trip opportunity with the support of Ormat.  To register, please email students@geothermal.org.
• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM | GR Student Members Icebreaker | Tuscany Foyer | Ice breaker events are designed to help people get to know each other and create a comfortable atmosphere for interaction. This event is an informal opportunity to meet the GR Student Committee and other students attending the conference. Come join the student committee for an icebreaker to kick off a great week!

Monday, October 27

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch Time: GR Mentor-Mentee Meetup | Tuscany Ballroom (Exhibit Hall) | Have you ever wanted a mentor in the geothermal industry to bounce ideas off of? Ever struggle to find the next move in your career development plan? Then join us for lunch on Monday to network with experienced geothermal professionals and establish mentorship for the conference and beyond! Students will hear a 1-minute introduction from each mentor and then choose to connect with mentors who best align with their academic and professional interests. Mentors have been identified as some of the most successful professionals in industry and academia and have graciously donated their time and talents to help the next generation of geothermal professionals. Thank you, mentors!
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Mentor's Lounge: Strength in Connection, Power in Sharing | The Discovery | Join us for The Mentors Lounge, a smart, hands-on space designed to connect students like you with leading scientists, engineers, and explorers shaping the future of clean energy. It’s your chance to ask big questions, test bold ideas, and start building the relationships that will fuel your career. Students will engage with mentors and help solve real-world industry challenges during pre-selected 30-minute time slots during the mixer. All participants will win prizes on the spot — plus be entered into a grand prize raffle at the end of the night! To sign up, please fill out this form with your time slot and ideas for questions before Friday, October 24th. Bring your curiosity, creativity, and courage — and come help shape the future of geothermal energy. We can’t wait to meet you in the Lounge!

Tuesday, October 28

• 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM | NextGen Geo Session: The Importance of Education in Geothermal Energy |Tuscany 6 | Join us before lunch for an engaging panel hosted by NextGen Geo on “The Importance of Education in Geothermal Energy”. Aimed at empowering students and encouraging heightened focus from geothermal professionals, this session will explore the value of knowledge sharing, workforce training, and educational pathways in geothermal energy. Engage with panelists through thought-provoking discussions and interactive activities designed to inspire renewed awareness towards the significance of educating the next generation of geothermal professionals. 

Panel Moderator: Sara Vashaghian | Ph.D Student, University of North Dakota

Panelists:

• • Bill Cumming | Geophysicist at Cumming Geoscience
  • Tule Horton | Strategy Associate at Fervo Energy
  • Shari Kelley | Geophysicist/Field Geologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
  • Monte Morrison | Principal Engineer and Consultant at Hot H2O Engineering
• 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Geothermal Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony | Capri Ballroom | The Geothermal Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony isn't just any gathering—it's a chance for YOU to recognize the driving force of our dynamic association – the GR community members that are making a positive difference, conducting cutting-edge research, and leading the charge in the advancement of geothermal energy! Join fellow members from across the globe as we recognize these individuals’ accomplishments.. Student Scholarship winners, Student Poster Session winners, Student Travel Grant winners, and the GR NextGen Geo Committee Student Research Award winners will be announced at this event.
• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | GR Trivia Night | Tuscany 6 | Here's your chance to flex your mental muscles and have a blast doing it! Trivia Night is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow conference attendees and bond over shared triumphs and near misses! Compete for fun, prizes, and glory. This activity is included with your conference registration.

Conference Long Events

• Sunday – Wednesday | Student Volunteer Options | Geothermal Rising provides opportunities for the geothermal student community to obtain discounted or complimentary GRC registration by volunteering at the conference. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please complete the form.
• Sunday – Wednesday | Geothermal Expedition Challenge | Unleash your inner explorer by joining the second year of our Geothermal Expedition Challenge! Part scavenger hunt, part mobile trivia - this challenge is a fantastic opportunity to take full advantage of the conference!  Don't miss out on this chance to engage with attendees, make lasting memories, and compete for prizes! This activity is included with your conference registration.
• Sunday – Wednesday | Student Committee Booth/Merch Sales | Be sure to stop by the Student Committee Booth to inquire about Student Membership, browse the 2025 GRC Student Committee merchandise items, and much more!
• Sunday – Wednesday | NEW: GRC Attendee Choropleth Map | Tuscany Foyer | Have you ever wondered how far Geothermal Rising reaches across the globe? So have we! Come stop by the GR Student Committee booth and place a pin on your city of origin to help us create a nice visual of our global reach.
• Tuesday – Wednesday | NEW: Expanded Headshot Services | Step into our Professional Headshot Booth to get a high-quality portrait taken by a skilled photographer perfect for LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and networking opportunities. Look your best and leave with a lasting impression! Tuesday, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Wednesday, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Exhibit Hall.