EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING SCIENCE: A PROJECT BY IODP’S 2019 SCHOOL OF ROCK AND THE AMBASSADORS FOR STEM TRAINING TO ENHANCE PARTICIPATION (A-STEP) PROGRAM

In September 2019, after completing a two-month expedition in the Pacific Ocean, the International Ocean Discovery Program’s (IODP) scientific drillship, the JOIDES Resolution, returned to the U.S mainland for the first time in ten years. IODP, in collaboration with the Ambassadors for STEM Training to Enhance Participation (A-STEP) program, hosted the School of Rock 2019 to directly coincide with the return of the ship for the upcoming Expedition 385 to Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California. The program focused on exploring the nature and processes of science, as well as the geologic evidence for the evolution of the Gulf of California. Based at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, participants built upon their understanding of science by examining ocean sediment cores and thin sections from the Guaymas Basin as well as hand specimens sampled from marine stratigraphic sections around the Pacific Rim.

The School of Rock supplemented scientific content from past Guaymas Basin expeditions with local field trips along the San Diego County coast, to better understand the Gulf of California evolution. The program continues to build a network of mentors, advisors, and science educators ready to produce skilled ambassadors to effectively communicate geoscience to diverse audiences when the field course resumes post-pandemic. Ambassadors from the 2019 School of Rock produced science profiles and blog posts to share with the broader public. They also used interactive tools such as the University of California, Museum of Paleontology "Understanding Science; How science works" framework to create short educational storyboards and science in action stories, to effectively communicate science to any audience. These and other A-STEP materials are central to sharing information and creating enthusiasm for Earth and ocean science across diverse communities of learners, nationwide.