Definition of advocacy = the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal (from Merriam-Webster)

Definition of position statement = a statement setting out the considered position or policy of an organization, group, etc., with respect to a particular matter (from Oxford Living Dictionaries); an explanation, a justification or a recommendation for a course of action that reflects an organization’s stance regarding the concern (ANA)

Whether you refer to them as positioning statements or advocacy statements or advocacy position statements, these documents are pieces that represent the result of an intentional and thoughtful process by an organization. These statements are a voice that encourages work towards a common goal or sustaining a particular status – be that improved health and well-being, and yes, even science and science education.

I hope that educators and non-educators review this list and see the potential and power of these statements, as well as where the statements can be most effectively shared. Individuals, departments, and organizations can and should use position statements to advocate for resources, programs, funding, or perhaps just to get a conversation started. Position statements are a resource that does not benefit anyone if they just sit on an organization’s website – the next step is to do something with them. If you are looking for a voice to add to your own, consider these statements by AGU, GSA, NAGT, AMS, NSTA, etc.

This collection of position statements is reproduced and expanded upon from the original list I prepared for the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA) website.

EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION

• The Importance of Teaching Earth Science – Geological Society of America
• High School Earth Science Instruction – National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• Earth and Space Sciences Should be Taught in K-12 Education – American Geophysical Union
• The Importance of Earth Science Education K-12 – National Earth Science Teachers Association
• Rewarding Professional Contributions – Geological Society of America
• Expanding and Improving Geoscience in Higher Education – Geological Society of America
• Declaration of the Importance of Earth Systems Science Education – National Ground Water Association
• The Importance of Dual Credit and Concurrent Enrollment to the Geosciences – National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• Earth Science Education – American Meteorological Society
• Earth System Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education – American Meteorological Society

SCIENCE EDUCATION

• Next Generation Science Standards – National Science Teachers Association
• Quality Science Education and 21st Century Skills – National Science Teachers Association
• Equal Opportunity in Earth Science Education – National Earth Science Teachers Association
• Gender Equity in Science Education – National Science Teachers Association
• Early Childhood Science Education – National Science Teachers Association
• Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Science – American Meteorological Society
• Environmental Education – National Science Teachers Association
• Science Education for Middle Level Students – National Science Teachers Association
• Learning Conditions for High School Science – National Science Teachers Association

ASTRONOMY

• An Ancient Universe: How Astronomers Know the Vast Scale of Cosmic Time – American Astronomical Society
• IPS Official Statement on the Ancient Age of the Earth and Universe – International Planetarium Society
• The Process of Science: and its Interaction with Non-Scientific Idea – American Astronomical Society
• Official Statement on the Role of Planetariums in Education – International Planetarium Society

EVOLUTION

• Teaching of Evolution – Geological Society of America
• Teaching Evolution – National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• The Teaching of Evolution – National Science Teachers Association
• The Scientific Theories of Biological Evolution and History of the Earth Should be Central Elements of Science Education – American Geophysical Union
• Position on Teaching Evolution – American Geological Institute
• Policy Paper on Science Curricula and the Teaching of Evolution in K-12 Classrooms – Association for Women Geoscientists
• Evolution – The Paleontological Society
• On Evolution – The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

CLIMATE

• Climate Science is Core to Science Education – American Meteorological Society
• The Teaching of Climate Science – National Science Teachers Association
• Teaching Climate Change – National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• Climate Change – Geological Society of America
• Human‐Induced Climate Change Requires Urgent Action – American Geophysical Union
• Climate Change Policy – American Association of Petroleum Geologists
• Climate Change – The Geological Society of London
• Position Statement on Climate Change – American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America/Soil Science Society of America
• Weather, Water, and Climate Priorities – American Meteorological Society
• Climate Services – American Meteorological Society
• Climate Change – American Meteorological Society

MISCELLANEOUS

• Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences – American Geoscience Institute
• Oil and Gas Workforce Needs in the 21st Century – American Association of Petroleum Geologists
• Scientific Inquiry – National Science Teachers Association
• Nature of Science – National Science Teachers Association
• Diversity in the Geosciences – Geological Society of America
• Students with Disabilities – National Science Teachers Association
• Consensus Statement Regarding Access and Inclusion of Individuals Living with Disabilities in the Geosciences – American Geosciences Institute
• Science for English Language Learners – National Science Teachers Association
• Geoscience and Natural Hazards Policy – Geological Society of America
• Natural Hazards Research Needs Continued Investment to Mitigate the Challenges Imposed on Society – American Geophysical Union
• Public Investment in Earth Science Research – Geological Society of America
• Promoting Earth Science Literacy for Public Decision Making – Geological Society of America
• Rewarding Professional Contributions – Geological Society of America

If there are any suggestions for position statements to add to this list, please add in the Comments field below.