Professional Development Webinar: Engaging Culturally Diverse Audiences

May 17, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. CDT

The Lunar and Planetary Institute’s education and public engagement team assists planetary scientists in their communication and public engagement activities. The first step in serving diverse audiences is learning more about their needs and interests and establishing a partnership. Explore ways to initiate and sustain partnerships and to create culturally relevant connections in your programs. To learn more, visit https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/scientist-engagement/.

Earth Science Education Conference: 2022 Earth Educators’ Rendezvous

July 11–15, 2022, Twin Cities, MN

The eighth annual Earth Educators’ Rendezvous is now open for registration. The Earth Educators’ Rendezvous is a combination of workshops, posters, talks, round-table discussions, and plenary presentations designed to appeal to everyone from instructors and graduate students to researchers and administrators who want to better support Earth science education. Participants can learn about teaching approaches, discover opportunities to get involved, prepare for an academic career, or discuss how to approach teaching and learning challenges. To learn more, visit https://serc.carleton.edu/earth_rendezvous/2022/index.html.

Planetary ReaCH Workshops

June 2022, Boulder, CO
October 2022, Baltimore, MD

The Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH) team seeks to enhance planetary scientists’ ability to engage public audiences, particularly Black and Latinx audiences. Beginning in 2022, ReaCH will conduct Planetary Engagement Workshops for planetary scientists at multiple locations across the country. In addition to learning best practices for engaging public audiences, attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with local educators and form lasting partnerships. Stipends will be available for participating U.S. scientists. To learn more, visit https://www.lpi.usra.edu/planetary-reach/. 

Exploration of the Moon and Asteroids by Secondary Students (ExMASS)

ExMASS is a lunar and asteroid research program that involves high school students in the scientific process. Student teams are supported by a mentor (teacher) and an advisor (scientist), who shares science content, provides support and encouragement and acts as a liaison to the scientific community. The ExMASS program is seeking planetary scientists to act as advisors for the 2022–2023 academic year. Contact Andy Shaner ([email protected]) to apply. To learn more, visit https://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/education/hsResearch/mentors_teachers_advisors/.

Taken by Charlie Duke during EVA-1, showing the east rim of Flag Crater. Credit: NASA.

Apollo 16 Presentation Slides

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 mission to the Moon, NASA has published a downloadable presentation that can be used as a resource for scientists who may be presenting on the topic. You can download and adapt the slides to your audience and setting and find additional resources in the notes section. To learn more, visit https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/481/apollo-16-presentation/.

A Guide for Scientists Doing Outreach

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) presents a guide to inspire and support scientists and professionals in their efforts to provide STEM enrichment to young learners, especially in school programs. This guide includes discussions of pedagogy, classroom tips, activities and materials, and additional resources to supplement the outreach experience. To learn more, visit https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/481/apollo-16-presentation/.