Mary Anning Rocks and its Outreach Impacts

Abstract

The Mary Anning Rocks charity started as a campaign to raise a statue for the noted early paleontologist and fossil collector Mary Anning in her hometown, Lyme Regis. Now, after the statue was raised, the campaign is still a vibrant and engaging example of how to connect with communities, especially with school-age children. This inclusive and creative campaign ignited far-reaching engagement across a multitude of demographics, but in particular, young women who saw themselves represented in the field of geosciences for the first time. By leveraging Anning's legacy this way, Mary Anning Rocks has helped numerous museums and educators by drawing footfall and helping them open their doors to new audiences. Through the creative use of art, social media, and community engagement, they have harnessed Anning's story to encourage interest and learning in the geosciences, forging connections between scientific discovery, cultural heritage, and local communities.