A key option to transfer geosciences – relate geoheritage to fun

Many attempts up to today exist to transfer geosciences to the general public. Some started at the beginning of the 20th century. It is surprising that only since the beginning of the 21st century with the formation of the European Geoparks Network in 2000 and the Global Geoparks Network in 2004, a new, consequent professional way of transfering geosciences was implemented. This includes information, education, geotourism, sustainable development of territories and at sites, e.g. Messel Pit World Heritage Site. These activities have opened people’s minds that landscapes are not „ugly, dirty and dead“. A starting signal was given to explain geoscientific phenomena with discovery activities, enthusiasm, passion and fun for children as well as for adults. Holistic views were initiated and not only fossil or mineral collections presented. By marketing beautiful landscapes, aesthetics of volcanos or reef limestone areas with caves, the interest of large amounts of visitors was raised. A key option however, found during about 18 years of geoscience knowledge transfer is to link up having fun within landscapes, with rocks, fossils and to enjoy a better understanding of where people live. Hands on activities have been reduced to zero during the pandemic of 2020. But why Earth is dynamic, changes landscapes and homes of people, this can be transmitted by edutainment games. An important aspect of this is geo-gamification: virtual and or by hands on, for „Generation Z“, as a key to attract students and too make people aware about the exciting planet Earth we live on.