Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2788
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2788
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
30 Jun 2026
| 30 Jun 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geoscience Communication (GC).
GC Insights: Integrating Art and Geoscience through STEAM: Public Perceptions and Learning at a Cultural Festival
Abstract. GeoArte, an art-integrated geoscience initiative developed within the STEAM framework, was presented at the International Festival of Living Arts (FIAVL, Loja, Ecuador, 2025) and evaluated through a post-experience survey of 30 non-specialist visitors using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Physical geological specimens were the single most cited attraction (86.7 %), yet a comparable majority (83.3 %) rated artistic mediation as strongly facilitating their understanding of geological concepts, with high agreement also recorded for heritage learning and art–geology recognition. Given the exploratory design and absence of pre-test measures, these results are interpreted as preliminary evidence that authentic specimens and artistic representation operate as complementary rather than competing channels of engagement, supporting the applicability of STEAM methodologies in community-based geoscience outreach and geoconservation.
How to cite. Navas Jaramillo, S. J., Soto Luzuriaga, J. E., Gonzalez Zuñiga, R. E., Chamba Toledo, M. A., Arciniegas Naula, A. M., Jimenez Masache, H. A., and Falconi Infante, C. R.: GC Insights: Integrating Art and Geoscience through STEAM: Public Perceptions and Learning at a Cultural Festival, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2788, 2026.
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Santiago Jose Navas Jaramillo
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Arquitectura y Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
John Egverto Soto Luzuriaga
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Arquitectura y Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Renato Efren Gonzalez Zuñiga
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Arquitectura y Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Marlon Antonio Chamba Toledo
Departamento de Comunicación y Artes, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Alicia Mercedes Arciniegas Naula
Departamento de Comunicación y Artes, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Hellen Ariel Jimenez Masache
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Arquitectura y Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Cristian Raphael Falconi Infante
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Arquitectura y Geociencias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), San Cayetano Alto, Paris and Praga, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Short summary
GeoArte is a geoscience outreach initiative that uses geological specimens, art, and workshops during a cultural festival in Loja, Ecuador. Surveys showed participants improved their understanding of geological concepts and valued the importance of protecting geological heritage, highlighting cultural events as effective spaces for geoscience communication.
GeoArte is a geoscience outreach initiative that uses geological specimens, art, and workshops...
Thank you for this manuscript, it is fantastic to see a practice-based insight at the STEAM-geological interface including audience reflections, especially noting the difference between motivation and perceived learning. The authors described a geology-themed exhibit based on local geological features at an arts festival.
Overall this is a promising piece of work, though I felt it undersold the existing body of literature on art as a vehicle for science learning in both formal and informal settings, including GeoArt methods.
It was noted that a thematic analysis was performed, it would be great to see some more of this in the results. Please also consider whether referring to Braun & Clarke's updated methods would be more appropriate, see https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597 for guidance.
One thing that I thought was missing was some more nuanced reflection from the authors on the "juxtaposition" noted on what visitors considered the most impactful part of the display. I wonder whether some existing expectations on how geology learning is "supposed" to look might be coming into play here.
Some final specific notes:
Lines 32-35: Please elaborate on why this gap is “especially consequential in Latin American contexts” as opposed to other places
Line 45: What are the STEAM principles followed? Unclear from the citations given