What is Earth Science Week?
Each October, The Geological Society coordinates Earth Science Week in the UK, in cooperation with the American Geosciences Institute and the wider international geoscience community.
Earth Science Week promotes responsible stewardship of the Earth through celebratory events and opportunities to discover the Earth Sciences, involving community groups, educators and citizens. It serves as a global celebration of the Earth and planetary sciences – drawing together educators, scientists, community groups and the public to explore the planet, raise awareness of geoscience issues and inspire stewardship of the Earth.
The overall purpose of Earth Science Week is to raise awareness of how geoscience underpins many critical societal issues (such as energy, resources, hazards, environment) and to encourage participation, curiosity and a sense of responsibility for the future of our planet.
Earth Science Week 2026: Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society
This year, from 11–17 October 2026, the Geological Society celebrates the theme Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society.
This theme highlights how critical minerals support our essential needs and how the development of new technologies can affect which minerals are considered critical and how geoscience knowledge is essential for identifying, mining, refining, transporting, and using them responsibly. It also reminds us of the ways geoscientists address how mineral use impacts Earth’s systems, including landscapes, water and air quality, and the global carbon cycle.
Earth Science Week 2026 at The Geological Society
Visit our "Minerals in a Smartphone Exhibition"
Drop into The Geological Society at Burlington House, along London's Piccadilly, and take a look at our free exhibition detailing the minerals used to build our mobile phones.
This new exhibition is completely free of charge, and will be open throughout the month of October. Please see our Visit Us page for our opening hours.
Attend our Public Lecture
What can I do during Earth Science Week?
Participating in Earth Science Week can look like visiting a geoscience walk or going on a fossil-hunt, attending a public lecture, engaging in a school workshop, or using the downloadable educational resources to support learning and engagement in your local area. Whether you’re a teacher, student, professional or simply curious about the Earth under our feet and how we choose to power our future, Earth Science Week 2026 offers a week full of resources, activities and reflection.
Rare Earth Walk in Bristol
Join artist Max Dovey and geologist Edward Inglis for a playful urban walk in Bristol exploring the critical minerals embedded in technology.
Rare Earth Walks is a field research activity to consider the relationship between Earth and technology, and consider computational hardware as geological artefacts.
As part of this group expedition, everyone is invited to go fossicking for precious stones, metals and minerals. Various assistive tools are used to survey the terrain and learn about the different ways of prospecting the land throughout history, from ancient stone collection, water divination and metal detecting.
No experience required, and all materials provided. Free of charge.
Date: Saturday, 17 October from 10:00 - 12:00
Image credit: Ibi Feher Photography
These are just a couple of examples of Earth Science Week activities that took place last year:
GEOFEST with the Dorset Geologist’s Association Group
GEOFEST was a day celebrating all aspects of geoscience from fossils to rocks and everything in between. Members of the Dorset Geologist’s Association Group and some invited guests exhibited their geoscience collections and invited attendees to bring their burning questions or puzzling rocks and fossils!
Energy Awareness and Sustainability with Cardiff Cubs
Through hands-on activities, including building wind turbines and solar panel robots using building kits and household items, the South West Regional Group of The Geological Society explored renewable energy concepts with Cubs aged 8 – 10. The event invited discussion about Earth science, energy sources, and how our choices impact the planet.
