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A student snorkels underwater surrounded by a school of sardines

Field learning

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Learning by doing

Our researchers and students conduct research or engage in field learning on all seven continents and oceans. Any Stanford student may join a variety of programs, from two-day coastal geology Field Courses to multi-week Sophomore College field studies and Bing Overseas Seminars. We also offer a quarter-long field course in social and biophysical systems in Hawaii.

Going into the field?

Are you part of Stanford and need resources for a well-equipped and safe field experience? Learn more about policies, travel registry, safety, equipment, travel guides and resources. 

See all field resources (SUNETid required)

Field Education website

Students taking samples from a lake

For more information about field programs, including resource documents, virtual field trips, and more, please check out the field education page.

Learn more about Field Education

Want to know more about our field education?

Ryan Petterson

Contact Ryan Petterson, Director of Field Education

Learning through fieldwork about Pacific coral reefs

Learning on Stanford's educational farm

Two volunteers help at the O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm

The O'Donohue Family Educational Farm is Stanford’s home for hands-on learning in sustainable agriculture.

Learn more about the farm

Stanford@Sea

Whale next to ship.

A 10-week investigative science and policy course examining the impacts of human actions on ocean ecosystems. 

Learn more about Stanford@Sea