Presented by: Prof. Robert Stern

Affiliation: University of Texas at Dallas (Currently based in UCLA)

 Location: TBA

 Abstract: The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles from July 14–
30, making Los Angeles only the third city(after London and Paris)to host 
the Summer Games three times. Los Angeles is an attractive Olympic venue 
not only because of its mild climate and global tourist appeal, but also 
because of its remarkable physical setting: a major coastal metropolis 
situated adjacent to actively deforming mountain ranges rising to 
elevations above 10,000 feet. This unique geological context provides an 
exceptional opportunity to connect a globally watched sporting event with 
public understanding of how Earth systems operate.
The geology of the Los Angeles region is far more dynamic and diverse than 
that of other Summer Olympic host cities. The convergence of intense public 
interest in the Olympics with an unusually compelling natural setting 
creates a rare opportunity for large-scale informal STEM education focused 
on Earth science and natural history. Leveraging this moment could engage 
audiences ranging from K–12 students to lifelong learners, both locally and 
worldwide. We refer to this proposed effort as the LA2028 GeOlympics.

This initiative aims to capitalize on global attention surrounding the 2028 
Games by providing accessible, place-based explanations of the geological 
history of the Los Angeles region, particularly around Olympic venues, and 
by illustrating how tectonics, climate, and surface processes have shaped 
this iconic landscape. Achieving this goal will require coordinated 
collaboration among the region’s extensive educational and cultural 
infrastructure, including 14 college and university geology departments, 19 
community colleges, approximately 2,000 K–12 schools, 136 museums, hundreds 
of environmental organizations, and a broad range of media outlets. This 
presentation outlines the vision for LA2028 GeOlympics, discusses 
organizational and funding needs, and explores pathways for collaboration 
with the LA28 Organizing Committee to transform the Olympics into a 
powerful platform for Earth science education.