8 Ways to Sharpen Your Geoscience Knowledge as an Adult this Earth Science Week

October 9th marks the beginning of Earth Science Week, 2022, an observance that the American Geosciences Institute established in 1998 to promote proper stewardship and understanding of the Earth. This year’s theme is “Earth Science for a Sustainable World,” which focuses on how geoscience can help humans make decisions that will support the long-term health of our populations and the Earth itself.

Earth Science Week can be a tool for anyone, regardless of age, to learn more about our planet. After all, everyone is responsible for the health of our environment and no one can learn everything about it in just one lifetime. In this spirit, we have put together a list of “8 Ways to Sharpen Your Geoscience Knowledge as an Adult.” Read on for some fun tips!

1. Ask a kid. If you have a kid, ask them to teach you what they have been learning in science class. You’ll be surprised by how much you may have forgotten! If you don’t have a kid, or just want more inspiration, watch a TED Talk by an expert in the youth community. We suggest William Kamkwamba’s “How I Harnessed the Wind.”

2. Read. Pick up a book related to geoscience. If you are not typically a fan of non-fiction, try Susan Casey’s The Wave; it discusses climate change by telling a true story about extreme surfing that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you do like to read books with facts and figures, here are some suggestions.
3. Play. Conduct an old-fashioned science experiment. You know, like the classic science fair volcano! Hands-on learning at any age uniquely crystallizes knowledge in a way that textbooks cannot. There are plenty of suggestions for activities online, like this list of experiments for adults. Clouds in a bottle? Count us in!
4. Visit. Take a field trip. Visit a science museum, nature center, arboretum, farm, or even a gem mine to learn more about our Earth.

5. Compete. Participate in the official Earth Science Week Video Contest 2022 by submitting a 30-90 second video on this year’s theme. This contest is open to people of all ages and can be completed in any format (animation, interview, theatrical work, etc.). The deadline is October 14th at 5 pm.
6. Meet others. Do you live near Denver or Houston? Each city holds its own celebration in which you can take part. If you would like to coordinate your own Citywide Celebration for the future, the Earth Science Week website has tips for that, too.
7. Watch. Cue up a geoscience-related documentary on Netflix or Amazon, sit back, and enjoy! Here is a Reddit thread to get you started.

8. Volunteer. Dig your hands into the dirt at an organic farm’s community workday. Plant some trees and learn about their roles in the ecosystem. Help facilitate field trips for children. Join a local hiking trail’s work crew for a day. Kayak around a river or lake and clean up the litter you find. There are so many ways to volunteer and support our Earth, each one teaching us plenty of emotional and literal facts about our relationship to it.

So what are you waiting for? Go forth and learn about our precious planet! For more information about Earth Science Week, visit the official website.