22 Everyday Geoscience (Posters)

This session will focus on elevating the importance of geoscience through geoscience education (e.g., curricula development, leading fieldwork experiences, etc.) and/or convergence research (e.g., using community-focused research frameworks/methods, community-engaged research, etc.).

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E

Clawing for Conservation: Combining Digital and Physical Exhibitions for Community Outreach

Paper number: 22-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The current biodiversity crisis caused by a multitude of negative anthropogenic impacts (habitat loss, pollution, overhunting, etc.) is an incredibly important concern of the scientific community. Dissemination of knowledge of how endangered species can by aided by both individual and conmmunity efforts is imperative in order to truly make a difference. However, successful communication of this information can be difficult, as individuals may feel discouraged about the impact their singular effort can make. Many organizations and previous studies, therefore, suggest adopting a communication style that enacts positive emotional experiences and empowers individuals to support transformative change. The “Clawing for Conservation” exhibit is an arcade-style claw machine (crane game) with both physical and digital components developed in order to provide an engaging, positive emotional experience for players by allowing them to “win” both extinct and currently endangered species and acquire new knowledge of current conservation efforts for said species. Both the physical and digital version of the exhibit include 54 unique fact sheets. Each fact sheet includes interesting facets of an extinct species (with particular focus on taxa from the fossil record) and interesting facets of a currently endangered species that is either a) related to the extinct species (i.e. birds for dinosaurs) or b) morphologically similar to the extinct species (i.e. pterosaurs and bats). The endangered species’ fact sheet explains why the species is currently endangered (making connections to the extinct species’ fact sheets) and contains a QR code leading to a current conservation effort fighting to save that species from extinction. Additionally, the physical version of “Clawing for Conservation” includes a small plush of either the extinct/endangered species. The physical version requires a play fee of $1 (used to re-purchase plush), while the digital version was designed as a free alternative. Any and all exhibit/prize text is available in both English and Spanish, in order to best serve members of the Albuquerque community. Preliminary survey results indicate that the exhibit is successful in reaching learning objectives and eliciting positive feelings in participants across multiple age groups and demographics.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410681

© Copyright 2026 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.