Conveners:
Roberto Braga (Università di Bologna)
Paola Donato (Università della Calabria)
Manuel Rigo (Università di Padova)
Francesco Pasqualino Vetere (Università di Siena)
For more than a decade, the Piano Lauree Scientifiche – Geologia (or simply, PLS) has supported a wide range of educational and outreach activities involving high-school and undergraduate students, as well as science teachers. Despite its long-standing commitment, the overall contribution of PLS to fostering interest in the geosciences among students and educators remains somewhat underappreciated. This session aims to showcase best practices in outreach, education, and science communication developed and implemented through hundreds of PLS initiatives across Italy. Contributions will address student recruitment and enrolment guidance, tutoring and peer-mentoring programs, innovative laboratory-based teaching approaches, strategies to help students bridge knowledge gaps, and professional development opportunities for secondary-school science teachers. The session will also provide a forum for discussion and reflection, with the goal of strengthening and improving geoscience outreach initiatives within the next three-year cycle of the Piano Lauree Scientifiche - Geologia.