PSI’s Sanlyn Buxner elected AGU Education Section President

Category: Cover Story

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At the December 2024 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, or AGU, in Washington, D.C., PSI’s Sanlyn Buxner became president-elect of the AGU’s Education Section.

At PSI, Buxner is a Senior Education and Communication Specialist and Senior Scientist, with research and education activities spanning from K-16 science education research to teacher-training workshops to public outreach for the TREX – short for Toolbox for Research and Exploration – team and other major programs. This experience, combined with her many years of professional leadership within professional societies, will allow her to bring diverse insights to this new position.  

The AGU Education section is relatively new, having been established in 2018. Per their section’s website, it was created “to provide a transdisciplinary home and voice for educators and education researchers, enhancing connectivity across all of the Earth and space sciences by providing educational expertise, scholarship, and partnership development with other organizations and the public.” Each AGU officer serves a two-year term, and for Buxner, the next two years will be her opportunity to learn the ins and outs of AGU leadership before she becomes section president in 2026. 

“The next four years are full of promise and also many question marks,” says Buxner. “Whatever may come, our section is determined to do one thing to the best of our abilities; we will bring Earth and Planetary Science learning opportunities to as many as possible.”

The next four years could potentially see both the return of humans to the vicinity of the Moon and an increase in Earth’s average temperature in excess of the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit sought by the Paris Climate Treaty. Both of these events, if they transpire, will generate content educators and researchers will communicate to the world. 

“The Education Section of AGU is committed to supporting all scientists in their efforts to communicate with all audiences. Personally, it would be amazing to introduce a new generation to human exploration of the Moon,” says Buxner. “And no matter what else might happen in Earth and planetary research, our amazing team of education leaders will be there to make sure the world understands the science we share and will support all AGU members to increase their skills to share their science.”

AGU is an international nonprofit association supporting an inclusive community of Earth and space scientists and partners dedicated to discovery and solutions to societal challenges.