YouTube Channel called "Every Rock Has A Story"

[Uwe Kolitsch]

Email heute über die Mailing-Liste der Mineral. Soc. of America:


Dear MSA Colleagues,

I hope you are all safe and well as we begin the new year.

I wanted to update everyone on my YouTube Channel called "Every Rock Has A Story" [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl0Zrg9JFh5o4SPg94veh0w] and ask for some feedback.  As you may recall, the channel features short (5-10 minutes) episodes each about a different rock, and the story it tells.  The rock is the hook, but the stories are what the videos are all about.  The stories are meant to span all facets of the geosciences from climate, to volcanoes, to life, to water, to outerspace, to human impacts, and more.  There is also a Teachers and Parents Guide [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Oo09qrTxY] as well as other teacher resources [https://sites.google.com/bc.edu/ethan-baxter/student-opportunities] on my website.  The videos are intended for a young K-4 grade audience but they are fun and appropriate for all. 

Today, the channel hit 1000 subscribers!  And we now have over 21,600 views.  Thanks to those of you who have watched, shared, and enjoyed!

From unsolicited feedback I've received, iIt is clear that the videos are popular and are "working".  I know they are being used in classrooms across the country.  Parents, teachers, geoscientists, kids, and many of you have told me nothing but good things, and have encouraged me to make more.  So, I am now indeed planning to make more... the questions are how, when, which partners, and what content to include.  I have copious ideas to broaden and diversify content, diversity the audience, and diversity the geoscientists featured (w/ episode co-hosts), and I still have to wrestle with COVID... but before I proceed much further I wanted to ask you all to share any feedback or suggestions you might have.  How can I make these even better and maximize the impact of my efforts to reach and inspire the next generation of passionate young geoscientists?

Please feel free to respond to the listserv, or to me personally with any feedback: positive or constructive!  Knowing that this video series has the support of this community would mean a lot.

Many Thanks,
Ethan

p.s. one of my first grade viewers wrote me a note.  In it, she said "I love learning about rocks.  They are starting to feel magical to me."  THIS is why I am doing these videos.