DC Rocks: Getting Kids in DC from Underrepresented Groups Hooked on Rocks (and Other Geoscience Topics) While They Are Young

Many projects that aim to increase participation in the geosciences focus on students in college. DC Rocks is a project that takes a different approach by tapping into younger kids' innate love of rocks, the ocean, volcanoes and curiosity about the world they live in. DC Rocks engages kids in K-12 and shows them how the geosciences relate to their lives. Led by the USGS, DC Rocks leverages the vast amount of geoscience-related expertise in the DC region to give DC's students an exciting introduction into the world of geoscience with place-based learning opportunities.

The Washington DC area has interesting geology and a multitude of agencies that deal with the geosciences, yet K-12 public school students in DC, most of whom are minorities, have limited exposure to the geosciences. Geoscience agencies in the DC area have a unique opportunity to leverage partnerships to address this by promoting the geosciences to local students who otherwise may not have such an opportunity and by highlighting the geology in the students' "backyard."

Both the need in DC and the potential for lasting impact are great; the geosciences have the lowest racial diversity of all the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, 89% of students in DC public schools are minorities, and there is no dedicated geoscience curriculum in DC. DC Rocks aims to give these students early exposure to the earth sciences, and to encourage them to consider careers in the profession.

In its first year, DC Rocks has published a website with information for students and educators about the geosciences in DC and more widely, hosted trainings for scientists about how to communicate science to youth, and made presentations to DC school groups. In addition, DC Rocks is developing a field class for kids. DC Rocks organizers will share the many lessons learned about developing an outreach program with the goal of increasing diversity and hope to learn from others working on similar issues.