CEOAS Outreach and Engagement - Internal

We aspire to become an indispensable, go-to resource, i.e., a community for innovation, inspiration and impact. That can only happen if CEOAS becomes more connected to the world around us, starting with our home, the U.S. Pacific Northwest. We have an opportunity to serve the people of Oregon and beyond with the science-based solutions they want and need. To do so, we must strengthen our connections and forge new reciprocal partnerships with the university at large, prospective students, peer institutions, various public and private sectors, employers, funding agencies and donors. This requires an improved understanding of the motivations, needs and values of a wide range of current and potential partners, as well as honoring diverse ways of knowing.

— CEOAS Strategic Plan, 2024-2030

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, check out Getting Started with Outreach & Engagement in CEOAS, 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 more about and join up with the CEOAS Outreach Community of Practice!

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.

Or check out Getting Started with Outreach & Engagement in CEOAS to learn more...

Learn more about and join up with the CEOAS Outreach Community of Practice!

This student award is intended to recognize contributions of time, energy and expertise expended in achieving “big picture” CEOAS outreach & engagement goals. Awardees have created products to be used in the long term, or contributed toward CEOAS-wide coordination efforts around outreach & engagement, or simply volunteered regularly at events.

Learn more about the CEOAS Outreach Accomplishment Award!

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:

• CEOAS Undergraduate Majors Powerpoint Slide (grades 9-12)
• CEOAS Coloring Sheet - English (grades pre-K-12)
• CEOAS Coloring Sheet - Spanish
• CEOAS Coloring Sheet - Minecraft
• CEOAS Coloring Sheet - Fish
• CEOAS Specimen Takehome Cards (all ages) - contact Ryan Brown to send home samples of materials that represent your lesson and share information about CEOAS.

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!