Measuring Interest Shifts in Geology Through Outreach Activities: Insights from a University-Led Program

Outreach activities are widely used to promote interest in geosciences, yet their impact is often difficult to assess. Over the past three years, geology outreach activities offered by the University of Bologna to high-school students (n = 446) were evaluated using post-activity surveys to investigate changes in student interest. 

The activities employed different teaching approaches and were grouped into three categories: (1) lecture-only activities, (2) lectures combined with observation-based activities, and (3) lectures combined with hands-on laboratory activities and/or outdoor experiences, such as visits to geosites. 

Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between teaching approach and changes in student interest in geology. As expected, activities including laboratory and field components were associated with higher levels of increased interest. However, the strength of this association was small, indicating that lectures and reflective activities can be nearly as effective as more active learning approaches in stimulating interest. Qualitative feedback suggests that encountering new or unexpected aspects of geosciences—such as the presence of foraminifera in sedimentary rocks—plays an important role in fostering interest. 

Despite the overall positive outcome of our outreach initiatives, two limitations are evident. First, increases in interest occur mainly among students who already express an initial interest in geosciences. Second, outreach activities do not appear to translate into increased enrolment in geology degree programmes. At the University of Bologna, enrolment in the Geological Sciences bachelor’s degree has remained stable over the study period. These findings suggest that outreach activities primarily generate short-term interest and highlight the need for educational strategies that support sustained engagement with geology.