This webpage is intended to provide CEOAS faculty, staff and students with resources to facilitate K-12 and community outreach efforts. If your outreach efforts focus on other audiences (policy-related, academic community, etc.), many of these resources will be relevant and useful for you as well.  

If you can’t find something here, if you have questions, or if you would like to be added to the CEOAS Outreach Slack workspace where faculty, staff and graduate students post about professional development, share ideas, and connect about opportunities, please contact CEOAS Outreach Coordinator Ryan Brown.

To pursue knowledge of the Earth system, to apply this knowledge to build a more resilient future, to integrate research with academic programs, and to create global citizens and scholars. CEOAS contributes to OSU’s status as a premier research institution, serving Oregon and the world.

— CEOAS Mission Statement (CEOAS Strategic Plan)

Many of CEOAS’ stated values focus on solving environmental challenges, collaborating and building an inclusive organization as important components of producing good science.  Engaging in meaningful and intentional outreach is one way for each of us – and our college – to make progress toward these goals.  

Envision these potential outcomes of effective CEOAS outreach and engagement:  

  • Higher levels of knowledge and understanding of important societal issues such as climate change, environmental justice and emergency preparedness provide individuals and policy makers with valuable information to use in decision-making. 
  • Heightened interest in Earth sciences results in higher levels of enrollment in CEOAS and eventually professionals in the field.
  • Barriers to entering and thriving in the Earth sciences and CEOAS are acknowledged and dismantled through inclusive engagement, transformative learning, and contributing to the creation of a just organization that is ready to embrace the academic and social contributions of Black, African American, Indigenous and people of color, as well as people who hold other marginalized identities. 
  • Students and faculty build professional skills associated with outreach and engagement to support their career advancement.
  • Broader community is frequently exposed to CEOAS research and academic programs, resulting in increased involvement by alumni and donors.  
  • Researchers are highly competitive for grants due to well-designed and impactful outreach and engagement projects. 

Ready to get started with some of your ideas or to go deeper with some ongoing projects?  Explore the resources below or contact Outreach Coordinator Ryan Brown to talk through your ideas!  

Outreach and Engagement Resources is a list of resources, including potential partner organizations, for researchers and students who want to carry out outreach projects, including those related to NSF Broader Impacts. This list is intended to serve as a starting point for developing your Broader Impacts projects and partnerships, and for CEOAS Communications and Outreach staff to support your efforts. Please contact Outreach Coordinator Ryan Brown to discuss your ideas and get connected to the right support! 

Learn about some potential funding sources through OSU and NSF for your outreach and engagement projects here.

Have an idea for a cool interactive demonstration but need a little cash to buy supplies? Want to represent CEOAS at an outreach event but don’t want to pay for registration and travel out of your grant and/or pocket?  

CEOAS faculty, staff and students (graduate and undergraduate) are encouraged to apply for small grants to support outreach efforts and CEOAS representation at events. This small grants program is made possible by the generous support of the Williamson family, who believe in the value of connecting the community with the Earth sciences in a meaningful and lasting way.    

How to apply:

  1. Read through the CEOAS Outreach and Engagement Small Grants Q&A sheet to learn more about how the program works
  2. Fill out the CEOAS Outreach and Engagement Small Grant Application webform and submit
  3. Contact CEOAS Outreach Coordinator Ryan Brown with questions

Learn more about opportunities to develop skills to share your science with the world.

Are you getting ready to engage with the community? Please consider promoting CEOAS science and undergraduate programs with potential future students and their family members:

The folks listed below are available to help you pull together outreach, engagement and/or recruitment efforts. Please be sure to loop us in as you develop your grant applications and outreach projects!

Mary Chuinard Undergraduate student coordination - projects and grants
Casey Menn Undergraduate student recruitment - events and info
Robert Allan Graduate student recruitment and opportunities
Abby Metzger Science communication, multimedia productions, website
Des Anderson Alumni engagement
Ryan Brown General outreach development, requests from community, Broader Impacts support
CEOAS Association of Graduate Students Outreach Graduate student involvement/opportunities

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya.  Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.