Earth Science Week Webinars

2026 Earth Science Week Webinar Series

Join us for an exciting lineup of webinars during Earth Science Week, all centered around this year’s theme, “Critical Minerals for a Thriving Society.” Register for the webinars now, and then tune in at 1 PM ET on YouTube Live to catch each webinar premiere! Engage directly with the presenters as they field your questions and contribute to discussions in the chat.

• Critical Minerals in a Circular Economy
• From Mine to Market: Minerals Critical to our Food
• Let’s Talk: Critical Minerals, Sustainability and Energy
• Innovative Technologies for Critical Mineral Supplies
• Exploring Critical Minerals Through Place-Based Learning

 

Critical Minerals in a Circular Economy | Premiere Date: October 12, 2026, 1 PM ET

Discover how circular economy strategies are transforming the way society manages critical minerals, from resource discovery to recycling and recovery. Through the example of lithium and Nevada’s Lithium Loop, explore how innovative technologies and material tracking help extend the life of valuable resources, reduce waste, and build a more sustainable and resilient supply chain.

Sponsored by:

 

Speakers:

• Aaron Ball, Keystone Geoscience LLC
• Frederick Steinmann, University of Nevada, Reno
• Ryan Ravenell, Lithium Americas
• Hugh Broadhurst, Lithium Americas
• Sebastian Foot, Bloom ESG
• and more to come!

 

From Mine to Market: Minerals Critical to our Food | Premiere Date: October 13, 2026, 1 PM ET

Fertilizers and critical minerals are the hidden ingredients that make modern life possible. In this webinar, experts will explore how these essential materials move from the earth to our farms, homes, and communities, sustaining life and the future.

Sponsored by:

 

 

Speakers:

• Haley Siergiej, Senior Director, Nutrients for Life
• Melissa Bigge, Curricula Director, Nutrients for Life

 

Let’s talk: Critical Minerals, Sustainability and Energy | Premiere Date: October 14, 2026, 1 PM ET

This webinar highlights innovative research led by faculty and researchers at The University of Texas at Austin’s Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and Bureau of Economic Geology. Presenters will discuss cutting-edge approaches to assessing potential quantities of critical minerals and developing engineering solutions for obtaining critical minerals. Watch interviews and discussions with the experts to explore how these efforts are advancing U.S. critical mineral supply and supporting a more sustainable energy future.

Sponsored by:

 

Speakers from The University of Texas at Austin - Hildebrand Dept of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering:

• Matt Balhoff, Department Chair and Professor
• Hugh Daigle, Professor and Director of the Center for Subsurface Energy and the Environment
• Carlos Verdin-Torres, Professor
• Julio C. Villarroel, PhD Candidate

Speakers from the Bureau of Economic Geology/The University of Texas at Austin - Jackson School of Geosciences:

• Brent Elliot, Economic Geologist and Research Associate Professor
• Bridget Scanlon, Hydrogeologist and Research Professor

 

Innovative Technologies for Critical Minerals Supplies | Premiere Date: October 15, 2026, 1 PM ET

Discover how emerging technologies are transforming the search for critical mineral resources. This webinar will explore the use of satellite imagery and remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and isotope and elemental-ratio analysis to locate lithium-rich ores and other critical mineral deposits. The webinar concludes with an overview of National Science Foundation-supported research that is driving innovation in critical minerals science and education. 

Sponsored by:

 

Speakers:

• Robert Green, NASA, JPL
• Jef Caers, Professor of Earth & Planetary Science, Stanford University
• Grace Avery Hall, Graduate Student, Duke University
• Rachel Teasdale, National Science Foundation
• and more to come!

 

Exploring Critical Minerals Through Place-Based Learning | Premiere Date: October 16, 2026, 1 PM ET

In this webinar, we explore how mining of critical minerals used in lithium-ion batteries affects nearby communities and environments in complex ways. This webinar introduces a free Xplorlabs.org learning experience that translates UL Research Institutes’ safety science into relevant, place-based learning. Learn how students can investigate real-world challenges across the battery supply chain and hear how other teachers have connected global issues to local contexts.

Sponsored by:

 

Speakers:

• Jess Sparacino, Senior Education Specialist, Institute for Research Experiences & Education, UL Research Institute
• Amy V. Gilbert, Consultant, Institute for Research Experiences & Education, UL Research Institute
• Travis Koupal, Science and STEAM teacher, Justice Page Middle School, Minneapolis Public Schools

 

 

2026 Earth Day and Earth Science Week Kick-Off Webinar

Solar Energy and the Minerals Behind It | Premiered on: April 22, 2026

 

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