Earth Science Week 2026 to Spotlight 'Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society'
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) proudly announces that Earth Science Week 2026, taking place October 11-17, will be celebrated under the theme “Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society.” This theme underscores the important ways that critical minerals address needs and shape societal activities that impact Earth’s systems.
From smartphones and renewable energy systems to medical technologies, transportation, and infrastructure, today’s society relies on a wide range of mineral resources. Approximately 50 are designated as “critical minerals” because they are considered essential to the economic stability, energy systems, health, national security, and technological progress of a thriving society.
Innovation can alter the need for specific minerals. New technologies can redefine which minerals are critical, while mineral availability itself can enable — or limit — technological advancement. This year’s Earth Science Week theme emphasizes how geoscience knowledge informs the processes by which such minerals are identified, mined, refined, transported, and used in products worldwide.
“Critical minerals underpin the technologies and infrastructure used across modern society. Geoscience plays a key role in ensuring these resources are developed responsibly — protecting water and air quality, minimizing environmental impacts, and supporting innovation toward lower-carbon outcomes,” AGI Executive Director Jonathan Arthur said on making the announcement. “The 2026 Earth Science Week theme, ‘Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society,’ encourages learning and action around how we effectively and responsibly source, use, and steward these vital resources to support a thriving society.”
Now entering its 29th year, Earth Science Week continues to raise awareness of the geosciences in the United States and around the world. Led by AGI in collaboration with sponsoring organizations and the broader geoscience community, the celebration invites educators, students, community organizations, and the public to take part in events, activities, and conversations about critical minerals and earth science — empowering individuals and communities to better understand the resources that shape our future.
If your organization would like to become a sponsor or provide educational materials for the Earth Science Week 2026 Toolkit, please contact AGI Director of Education and Outreach Ed Robeck at ecrobeck@americangeosciences.org.
Earth Science Week is supported by many organizations, including Activate Learning; American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation; American Geophysical Union; AGI; AmericaView; ExxonMobil; The Geological Society of America; Geothermal Rising; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Energy Education Development Project; National Environmental Education Foundation; National Park Service; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Seequent; Society of Exploration Geophysicists; U.S. Geological Survey; Visible Geology; and others. Each year AGI welcomes additional partners that share AGI’s mission of building Earth science awareness. Please contact us if your organization would like to explore becoming a program partner.
About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
Contact: Geoff Camphire, AGI Communications gac@americangeosciences.org