52-6 Geoscience to the People! Geoscience Education and Outreach Programs For All

Session: Geoscience Outreach Efforts to Broaden Participation, Part II

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

The Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) Education and Outreach Team develops and coordinates geoscience outreach programs to inform stakeholders, increase access to expertise and services, provide high-quality educational resources, and form connections with local communities. All OGS staff contribute to outreach; these efforts served nearly 5,000 Oklahomans in 2024 and 3,700 Oklahomans by August 2025. Working closely with geoscience teams ensures outreach provides accurate, up-to-date information from OGS investigations. Incorporating OGS data sets marks these programs as unique, familiarizes stakeholders with free, publicly available resources from OGS, and highlights cutting-edge topics, technologies, and careers that inspire and engage the next generation of geoscientists. Additional support from community partnerships provides teaching resources and specimens, opportunities for collaborations, and connects OGS with local communities, helping OGS provide flexible programs tailored to the needs of each event and audience across a complex landscape of stakeholder communities. Increased interest and demand spurred creation of additional access points to geoscience experts and services. A monitored communication hub matches inquiries to the appropriate expertise and regular events invite community members to bring geological treasures to OGS for analysis and identification. Visitors often drive several hours to attend these events and inquiries include samples and questions from national and international locations outside of Oklahoma. Demand, participation, and informal feedback point to positive impacts. Reflections on a showcase of OGS programs provides insight into elements of successful programs and addresses challenges common to outreach events.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10011

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