INSPIRING AND ENABLING OUTREACH BY THE GEOSCIENCE COMMUNITY

Geoscience outreach programs support knowledge-building among members of the public that enables many dimensions of social development, economic activity, and environmental integrity. For people to live in productive and sustainable ways, they need to understand Earth’s systems and their interactions with each other and with human activities. This need creates a rationale for professionals and others who are knowledgeable about Earth systems to engage with members of the public in geoscience outreach activities. In fact, given the many issues the world faces that can be mitigated by geoscience knowledge, the rationale for geoscience outreach activities could be amplified as an imperative. Geoscience outreach, considered broadly, can involve researchers, academic faculty, and geoscience professionals in corporate settings, among others—literally anyone with a strong geoscience background and the motivation to convey geoscience knowledge to others. There are many ways to help to build awareness of Earth’s systems and their interactions. These include taking part in community events, classroom visits, programs at geoscience-related venues (e.g., national parks), writing/posting about geoscience topics, and activities in other formal and informal education settings and media. The Education and Outreach Department at the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) facilitates outreach by members of the geoscience community by developing engaging resources, providing guidance, and establishing communication networks that facilitate outreach projects. In this presentation we’ll describe AGI’s outreach activities—including those that are ongoing and those that are in development—as well as ways that we support outreach by others. The presentation will highlight examples and explanations of how AGI enables approaches and themes that are relevant to those who have opportunities to conduct outreach programs that promote geoscience awareness, typically while also reflecting the priorities of their own geoscience specializations. Moreover, this presentation intends to inspire geoscience outreach efforts throughout the geoscience community, and acknowledge examples that demonstrate the potential of outreach activities in the geosciences.