Binghamton University Alumnus Selected for Inaugural National Geographic Creator Cohort

Ethan Penner, a graduate of Binghamton University, has been selected for the inaugural National Geographic Creator Cohort. The six-month program will involve creating content for the organization and participating in related events. Penner is known for his social media presence under the name "Rock Man Ethan," where he creates educational geology content.

Program Details

Ethan Penner, who earned a bachelor's degree in 2021 and a master's degree in 2022 from Binghamton University, has been selected for National Geographic's first Creator Cohort. The six-month program brings together content creators focused on conservation, wildlife photography, science, and history.

Participants will create content for National Geographic, attend brand events, and travel to unspecified locations.

Social Media Profile

Penner operates accounts under the name "Rock Man Ethan" (rockmanethan), with approximately 1.7 million followers on TikTok and 130,000 on Instagram. His primary content is a series titled "What's Inside that Rock?" where he breaks open rocks to reveal their contents. He also posts videos discussing geological discoveries and explaining geological concepts.

He began sharing photos on social media in high school and created his dedicated rockmanethan accounts in 2020. His first viral video, which showed him breaking open a rock in his parents' backyard to reveal quartz inside, received approximately 5,000 likes.

Education and Research Background

Penner participated in Binghamton University's First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program, focusing on environmental visualization. His research team used drones, geographic information systems, and data processing to study methane emissions, and they presented their findings at an academic conference.

He stated that this research experience taught him how to "ask a question and find the right sources."

Professional Collaborations and Work

Penner has collaborated with several professional organizations, including the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Association of American Petroleum Geologists, and the Geological Society of America. He currently works at an environmental consulting company.

Personal Background and Statements

Penner is originally from Garrison, New York. He developed an interest in Earth Sciences as a child, encouraged by family members who gave him a rock collection and took him on trips to geological sites. During a Binghamton University trip to Iceland, he collected a slab of black basalt from a volcanic eruption site, which he described as containing feldspar and olivine crystals.

In statements, Penner outlined his goals:

"I want to push geology as far as it can go. In the end, my goal is to bring people content that helps them and inspires them to pursue their passions."

Regarding his research and communication approach, he said:

"I know how to ask a question and find the right sources. At the end of the day, I want to be someone who relays information, makes it fun and gives the proper sources due credit because that's what science is about."

On his social media success and the National Geographic opportunity, he stated:

"I never expected any of this to happen. Every day that I get to post content online and interact with thousands of people - I never take it for granted."

He also referred to the National Geographic selection as "the ultimate dream come true for a science-related content creator."