VIRTUAL POSTER SHOWCASE HELPS TO BROADEN PARTICIPATION IN THE EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES

Issues that lead to attrition in the Earth and space sciences are complex and unlikely to be addressed solely through discrete interventions, such as field camp scholarships, student travel grants, or student research grants. Instead, a connected system of opportunities from all stakeholders (industry, academia, federal agencies, and professional societies) is needed and is particularly important for attracting and retaining students, not only from underrepresented groups but for all students.

AGU is focusing on providing programs and services that are currently not being provided or are not provided well in the Earth and space sciences, and are linked to other interventions. One of these programs includes opportunities for students who cannot easily travel to scientific meetings to present their research results. In 2013 and 2014, AGU piloted an undergraduate virtual poster showcase in conjunction with the annual AGU Fall Meeting and are offering three showcase opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students in 2015.

This paper will share information about those who participated, lessons learned from these showcases, and preliminary evaluation findings as well as plans for the future.