Innovation to Impact. See you at the July ESIP Meeting.

Welcome to Spark@AGU

Quick. Bold. Creative. Leave the jargon in the poster hall. Speak for exactly five minutes and 20 slides.

Latest Videos
Call for Speakers - Coming Soon
Event RSVP - Stay Tuned!
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See you in December 2025

The popular science storytelling event Ignite@AGU is getting a revamp as Spark@AGU and will return in December 2025 in New Orleans for the AGU Annual Meeting.

Sponsored by NASA’s Earth Science Division and held in partnership with the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP), Spark@AGU enables scientists to showcase their professional and personal interests through fast, creative talks.

Spark a conversation.

Want to speak? Spark@AGU talks are only five minutes long and use exactly 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. The aim is to inspire, share, and make connections — to spark conversation. It is not your average research talk. Check out our past videos for inspiration!

Want to attend? Join us for this lively event in person! The event dovetails with the AGU Annual Meeting and is open to the public. Some venues require an RSVP.

Want to stay in the loop and hear when the next call for speakers goes out? Sign up for the ESIP Update!

ESIP Update
  • Spark@AGU Format
  • Tips for Success
  • Timeline & What to Expect
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20 slides. Five minutes.

Every Spark@AGU talk is exactly five minutes long. No more, no less. Why? Because the slide deck is made of 20 auto-advancing slides.

Our organizing team works with speakers to develop a cohesive talk that pairs visual slides and easy-to-grasp language. The topic is up to you. The strict format pushes creative thinking and strong storytelling.

See Past Videos
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What Makes a Sparkling Talk?

  • Images say a lot: Select one big image per slide
  • Few words: Stick to single words, phrases, or maybe a bold sentence
  • Repeat: Need more time? Want to make a point? Simply repeat the same slide and count repeats towards your total 20 (2x = 30 sec, 4x = 1 min, etc.)
  • Tell a story: Think of your talk as a story with 18-20 lines.
  • Get creative: Take risks, be funny, share something alarming. Be human!
  • Titles: Write a bold, pithy title.

Psst! These tips work for ALL presentations, not just for Spark@AGU.

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What's the timeline?

  • Apply: September
  • Get Notified: October
  • Train: November
  • Present: December

Spark@AGU is a competitive process and we usually accept 10-12 speakers each fall to present at the AGU Annual Meeting in December.

Throughout the fall, we offer science communication training so your talk can shine! That means all speakers are expected to join one virtual practice session and work through edits with the organizing team. All speakers must attend an in-person tech rehearsal before the live event.

Apply to be a Speaker!