One geoscientist's trek to Antarctica, on a geological excursion.

Few destinations capture the imagination like Cuba; a forbidden fruit to U.S. citizens. Recently, scientists from the U.S.-based Association for Women Geoscientists travelled there to explore its geology and culture. The expedition is chronicled in the August issue of EARTH Magazine. While Cuba is an intriguing destination as an actor on the global political stage, its geological history captures events that tell scientists even more about the history of the planet.

Dr. Wayne D. Pennington, AGI Past-President, recently concluded a successful tour for the new Science, Technology and Innovation Expert Partnership (STIEP) speaker series. Part of the U.S. Department of State's Targets of Opportunity Program, the STIEP speaker series promotes science diplomacy abroad by connecting traveling scientists with local embassies and other community networks in the region. Participants have the opportunity to exponentially increase the reach of their research while simultaneously promoting key issues for science diplomacy, including the importance of innovation, the scientific peer review process, and promoting women in STEM fields. Pennington was one of the first speakers to participate in the series.

Majestic snow-capped "fourteeners," alpine meadows carpeted in wildflowers, pristine mountain lakes. These are the images most people associate with Colorado. But charming mountain terrain is not the only attraction the Centennial State has to offer the geotraveler. One of Colorado's lesser-known geologic marvels is a vast field of sand dunes - the tallest in North America - a site sure to thrill anyone.