Education Sessions and Activities at AGU Fall 2013 Meeting

NAGT is pleased to outline a variety of geoscience education sessions planned for the Fall 2013 AGU Meeting held in San Francisco, CA, from 9-13 December, 2013. Please plan to attend the following sessions highlighting key issues of importance to geoscience educators at all levels.

Connect Via Social Media
NAGT is going to try something new at this year's AGU meeting. Have you every learned about something fun and interesting that happened at the meeting after the fact, or even after the meeting? Of course, you have. And by the same token, you've probably found something that you wish your colleagues and friends had known about but couldn't get word to them. This year, NAGT is going to try to make it easier to know about things that are going on all across this vast meeting by using social media. If you know of something that you think other geoscience educators should know about, just send out a tweet and include the hashtag #nagtatagu13. We'll be gathering all those tweets together on a page so that we can all benefit in near-real time. More details on this will be coming soon. Given the number of tech savvy folks out there, there is the potential for this to be one of the most rewarding meetings yet for everyone!

Jump Down To: Town Halls and Events | Education Topical Sessions Associated Topical Sessions

Useful Links

AGU for Students
There are lots of opportunities for undergrads and grad students at the meeting.

InTeGrate Events at AGU

RealClimate.org
The RealClimate blog posts a blog in early December every year highlighting the Climate sessions and activities that will take place at AGU. They also post daily round-ups of of the things one of their bloggers was able to attend.

Workshops

Various entities, including NAGT, are offering a very full schedule of education-and outreach-related workshops at this year's Fall Meeting. Topics include:

You can access the full set of workshops on the Fall Meeting website.

Bringing Active learning Into Your Classroom

Sponsored by NAGT/Cutting Edge and AGU Education
Conveners: Anne Gold and Sara Harris
December 10, 2013 from 1-5PM

An important strategy for improving student engagement and understanding of complex, controversial or misunderstood topics is to use active learning methods. This half-day workshop will provide opportunities to learn specific techniques for using active learning and immersing students in their learning. Participants will have hands-on time using various tactics and will emerge with a set of resources that they can apply to their own classrooms.

Town Halls and Events

A full listing of Education-related events is available on the AGU site.

InTeGrate: Interdisciplinary Teaching of Geoscience for a Sustainable Future

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM; 2007 (Moscone West)

InTeGrate is an NSF-funded community project to improve geoscience literacy and build a workforce that can make use of geoscience to address societal issues. At this town hall you can learn about newly published teaching materials and opportunities to be involved in materials development teams, implementation programs, and workshops in the upcoming year, and give input on future directions for the project.

Geoscience MOOCs: Do they work, and are they worth it?

AGU Education is sponsoring a town hall at the AGU Fall Meeting entitled "Geoscience MOOCs: Do they work, and are they worth it? This town hall is being held on Thursday, 12 December from 12:30-1:30 P.M. in Moscone West, Room 2006. Please feel free to attend as well as disseminate this information to others who are interested in this topic.

Education Topical Sessions

Monday, December 9 | Tuesday, December 10 | Wednesday, December 11 | Thursday, December 12 | Friday, December 13

Monday, December 9

ED11A & B. Education General Contributions I Posters
Convener(s): Stephen Macko (Univ Virginia) and Stephanie Stockman (NASA)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Education, but are not directly appropriate to any of the other sessions proposed for the focus group.

ED11C. Improving Student Writing: Methods You Can Use in Science and Engineering Classrooms Posters
Convener(s): Sarah Hitt (Colorado School of Mines) and Kimberly Del Bright (Pennsylvania State Univ)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: This presentation provides a summary of ongoing Writing Center research on effective writing tutoring to give science and engineering educators integrated approaches for working with student writers. From creating assignments, providing instruction, guiding revisions, facilitating peer review, and using assessments, we offer a comprehensive approach for motivating students to improve their writing. Our new research study focuses on developing writing resources and support in science and engineering institutions, in order to utilize cross-disciplinary knowledge that can be implemented by the various constituencies responsible for improving the effectiveness of writing among student engineers and scientists.

ED11D. Climate Literacy and the Next Generation Science Standards for K–12 Education I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Don Haas (Paleontological Research Institute), Margaret Holzer ( ), Daniel Zalles (SRI International) and Robert Bleicher (California State University Channel Islands)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 103 (Moscone South)
Description: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) brings considerably more attention to climate and climate change than earlier curriculum standards. We'll explore what and how to teach climate in ways connected to NGSS's three dimensions: (science and engineering practices, cross-cutting themes, and disciplinary core ideas (DCIs)), especially the most connected DCI: Human Impacts. We welcome abstracts addressing innovative roles for scientists assisting educators, student engagement with real data, materials and approaches that attend to the climate-energy connection; exemplary curricular materials, successful out-of-school programs, and strategies for dealing with anti-science sentiments.

ED11E. Climate Literacy: Beyond Climate Literacy — Toward Effective Responses to Global Change I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Mark McCaffrey (National Center for Science Ed), Louise Huffman (UN-Lincoln), Lisa White (University of California) and Philip Rasch (Pacific Northwest National Lab)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 104 (Moscone South)
Description: Human are a force of nature via the combustion of fossil fuels, massive land cover change, habitat destruction, toxic pollution, and significant alteration of biogeochemical cycles such as nitrogen and phosphorus. New science standards cover many aspects of human impacts on the planet. This session welcomes contributions from those developing resources, professional development programs, or conducting research that straddles or go beyond the bounds of climate literacy related to helping foster informed decision-making and knowledgeable responses to global change.

ED11F. Preparation for the Geoscience Workforce: Programs and Projects That Increase Students' Employability I
Convener(s): Heather Houlton (American Geosciences Institute), David Mogk (Montana State Univ), Bethany Holm Adamec (American Geophysical Union) and Cathryn Manduca (Carleton College)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 309 (Moscone South)
Description: The geosciences are rapidly evolving as new insights are revealed about the complex dynamics of the Earth system, new technologies provide unprecedented ways to study Earth, and applications of geoscience are increasingly important in addressing the grand challenges facing humanity of living safely and sustainably on the planet. This session will explore the geoscience knowledge and skills required of the future geoscience workforce. Contributions to this session are encouraged that define courses, curricula, learning outcomes, and career pathways that will help address expectations of students and future employers, including traditional careers in the geosciences as well as employment opportunities in related fields.

ED12A. Climate Literacy and the Next Generation Science Standards for K–12 Education II (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Don Haas (Paleontological Research Institute), Margaret Holzer ( ) and Daniel Zalles (SRI International)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 103 (Moscone South)

ED12B. Climate Literacy: Beyond Climate Literacy — Toward Effective Responses to Global Change II (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Philip Rasch (Pacific Northwest National Lab), Jenny Baeseman (Climate and Cryosphere) and James Byrne (University of Lethbridge)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 104 (Moscone South)

ED12C. Preparation for the Geoscience Workforce: Learning About Multi-disciplinary and Non-traditional Careers II
Convener(s): Heather Houlton (American Geosciences Institute), David Mogk (Montana State Univ), Bethany Holm Adamec (American Geophysical Union) and Cathryn Manduca (Carleton College)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 309 (Moscone South)

ED13A. Building Capacity for Hydrologic Science in Africa and Asia I Posters
Convener(s): Alan Fryar (Univ Kentucky) and Adam Milewski (University of Georgia)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Water resources constrain health and sustainable development in much of Africa and Asia. Urbanization, industrialization, agriculture, logging, and mining have degraded water quality. Population growth and irrigation contribute to water stress, especially in arid regions. Allocation of transboundary water resources and impacts of climate change pose challenges in both arid and humid regions. Coordination of university research and education in hydrology are critical for addressing these issues. We seek examples of innovative and effective training of early-career hydrologists in Africa and Asia, including online education, the integration of hard and soft skills acquisition, and the development of peer mentoring networks.

ED13B. Climate Literacy: Beyond Climate Literacy — Toward Effective Responses to Global Change III Posters
Convener(s): Juliette Rooney-varga (UMass Lowell) and Stephanie Stockman (NASA)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED13C. Preparation for the Geoscience Workforce: Curriculum, Department, and Program Reform Strategies III Posters
Convener(s): Heather Houlton (American Geosciences Institute), David Mogk (Montana State Univ), Bethany Holm Adamec (American Geophysical Union) and Cathryn Manduca (Carleton College)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED13D. Educator Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research I Posters
Convener(s): Constance Walker (Natl Optical Astronomy Observ) and Gail Scowcroft (University of Rhode Island)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: The session focuses on outcomes from successful initiatives that provide research experiences for educators. Presentations may address the roles of scientists and education experts, ways to bring research experiences back to the classroom, and new projects. Other topics may include recruitment strategies, program scale-up, financial planning, Internet and archival research projects, citizen science, mentoring, scientist training, evaluation results, and lessons learned. Presentations are invited from all research areas: astronomy/space physics, atmosphere and ocean research, geology and geophysics, climate and environmental science, etc. Printed materials and CDs supplied by presenters accompany the session.

ED13E. Frontier Scientific Research in Learning and Teaching: Perspectives From Students and Academics Posters
Convener(s): Vincent C H Tong ( ) and Samuel Bowring (MIT)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Forging closer links between frontier scientific research, teaching and outreach activities has played a significant role in the enhancement of education. In this Session, we invite contributions from geoscience academics to discuss challenges and solutions in teaching frontier geoscience research at school and university levels. Studies involving innovative use of learning technology and curriculum design (including introductory undergraduate and graduate courses) with student evaluations are particularly welcome. We also invite graduate and undergraduate students to discuss and evaluate their experience with frontier research in geosciences and related disciplines.

ED13F. Global Partnerships in Geoheritage and Improved Earth Science Literacy Posters
Convener(s): William Rose (Michigan Technological Univ), Benjamin van Wyk de Vries (Univ Blaise Pascal) and Cecile Olive-Garcia ( )
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: This session explores how geologic heritage programs benefit society through improved local economies, enhancement of earth science concepts and improved earth science literacy for the general public. We open an international dialogue on geoheritage partnerships and share best practices for implementation of geosites such as: inventorying, characterization and assessment, and conservation and protection measures for significant geological features and landscapes. We solicit examples and case studies of global geoheritage programs, such as world heritage sites, geoparks and geotourism, and programs highlighting the tremendous educational resource offered by said sites around the world.

ED13G. Climate Literacy: Achieving Widespread Climate Literacy Through Innovative Engagement Strategies, Effective Partnerships, and Large-Scale Networks I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Tamara Ledley (TERC) and Frank Niepold (NOAA Washington DC)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 103 (Moscone South)
Description: Climate change is and will impact all aspects of society. In order to address these impacts effectively, coordinated large-scale efforts are needed to equip the citizens, decision makers, and other professionals to make informed decisions for society. We invite papers that have built and implemented large scale partnerships and/or networks or have brought to scale or implemented programs that address climate change education, communication, adaptation, or mitigation plans or strategies. Of particular interest are efforts that bridge audiences, topics, or regions not traditionally connected. However, contributions for all effective partnerships, networks, and efforts are welcome.

ED13H. Games, Interactive Simulations, and Virtual Labs for Science Teaching and Learning I [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Randy Russell (UCAR) and Erin Wood (University of Colorado)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 300 (Moscone South)
Description: Interactive computer-based simulations, serious games, and virtual labs are being developed and used with growing frequency in many science-education disciplines at all age levels. These resources are employed across formal and informal educational settings. Scientific concepts in a broad range of Earth and space science disciplines can be more readily learned or more fully appreciated via the experience of manipulating variables to explore various what if scenarios in visually rich environments. This session will showcase simulations, games, and virtual labs designed to assist the teaching and learning of concepts in the realms of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences and related disciplines.

ED14A. Climate Literacy: Achieving Widespread Climate Literacy Through Innovative Engagement Strategies, Effective Partnerships, and Large-Scale Networks II (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Karen McNeal (North Carolina State University at Raleigh) and Jennifer Schwarz Ballard (Chicago Botanic Garden)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 103 (Moscone South)

ED14B. Educator Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research II
Convener(s): Constance Walker (Natl Optical Astronomy Observ) and Gail Scowcroft (University of Rhode Island)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 309 (Moscone South)

ED14C. Games, Interactive Simulations, and Virtual Labs for Science Teaching and Learning II [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Randy Russell (UCAR) and Erin Wood (University of Colorado)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 300 (Moscone South)

Tuesday, December 10

ED21A. Education General Contributions III Posters
Convener(s): Stephen Macko (Univ Virginia) and Stephanie Stockman (NASA)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED21B. Climate Literacy: Achieving Widespread Climate Literacy Through Innovative Engagement Strategies, Effective Partnerships, and Large-Scale Networks III (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): William Spitzer (New England Aquarium) and Geoffrey Haines-Stiles (GHSPi/Passport to Knowledge)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 103 (Moscone South)

ED22A. Building Capacity for Hydrologic Science in Africa and Asia II
Convener(s): Alan Fryar (Univ Kentucky) and Adam Milewski (University of Georgia)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 3018 (Moscone West)

ED23A. Climate Literacy and the Next Generation Science Standards for K–12 Education III Posters
Convener(s): Don Haas (Paleontological Research Institute), Margaret Holzer ( ) and Daniel Zalles (SRI International)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED23B. Climate Literacy: Achieving Widespread Climate Literacy Through Innovative Engagement Strategies, Effective Partnerships, and Large-Scale Networks IV Posters
Convener(s): Tamara Ledley (TERC) and Martha Shaw (Earth Advertising)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED23C. Games, Interactive Simulations, and Virtual Labs for Science Teaching and Learning III Posters [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Randy Russell (UCAR) and Erin Wood (University of Colorado)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED23D. Models of Successful Undergraduate Research Programs in the Earth Sciences Posters
Convener(s): Patricia Manley (Middlebury College) and Laura Guertin (Penn State Brandywine)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: With advances in technology, increased field access, changes in funding, increased interdisciplinary work, and global connections, undergraduate research mentoring and programs are varied in their structure and expectations. This session encourages submissions from mentors, departments, and/or institutions to describe models of working with individual students to describing department requirements and institution-wide practices. We encourage submissions that address how mentors and administrators are successfully addressing challenges of supporting students with resources beyond normal grant funding for student work.

ED23E. Transformative Innovations in Earth, Oceans, and Atmospheric Science Education for Undergraduates Supported by the NSF-DUE Funding Programs, and Future Directions I
Convener(s): Jeffrey Ryan (University of South Florida) and Jill Singer (Buffalo State College)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 3009 (Moscone West)
Description: Funding offered through NSF-DUE, including the TUES Program and its predecessors, have supported classroom innovations that are transforming the way that earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences are being taught and learned at the undergraduate level. This session seeks to highlight the accomplishments and impacts of past and current DUE-funded efforts that seek to improve the quality of undergraduate education in the geosciences. The session also seeks to foster discussion about educational needs in our community, and strategies for engaging more geoscience faculty in funded scholarly efforts addressing these needs.

Wednesday, December 11

ED31A. Broader Impacts of EarthScope: Geoscience Education and Outreach Activities Posters
Convener(s): Steven Semken (Arizona State University), Sarah Robinson (Arizona State University) and Ramon Arrowsmith (Arizona State Univ)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Instrumentation and activities of the EarthScope program have spanned the contiguous US and are planned to be deployed in Alaska. As findings based on EarthScope science appear in the research literature, they are highlighted in the press and social media. More and more educators use EarthScope facilities, research activities, data, and results in teaching, STEM teacher professional development, place-based education, and public Earth science literacy in formal and informal contexts. Educators and researchers who use EarthScope facilities, projects, data, or findings for geoscience education or outreach to students, teachers, decision-makers, and the public can feature and share practices, materials, and outcomes.

ED31B. Expanding Diversity in the Geosciences by Fostering Inclusive and Accessible Educational Opportunities for Students With Disabilities Posters
Convener(s): Christopher Atchison (Georgia State University)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Participation in the geosciences by students and practitioners with disabilities is of the lowest rates of all of the science disciplines. Subsequently, careers in the geosciences are often disregarded by the physically disabled population. However, with enhanced technologies, opportunities for people with disabilities to complete geoscience requirements such as field-based research are becoming more prevalent, as well as the potential for pursuing careers in the geosciences. This poster session is designed to promote awareness of the need to improve access to the geosciences for all students and practicing geoscientists regardless of physical ability.

ED31C. Transformative Innovations in Earth, Oceans, and Atmospheric Science Education for Undergraduates Supported by the NSF-DUE Funding Programs, and Future Directions II Posters
Convener(s): Jeffrey Ryan (University of South Florida) and Jill Singer (Buffalo State College)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED31D. Climate Literacy: Barriers, Misconceptions, and Progress in Improving Climate Literacy I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Anne Gold (CIRES/CU Boulder-Rsrch Lab 2), Karen McNeal (North Carolina State University at Raleigh) and Judith Humble (KVC Behavioral Healthcare KY, Inc.)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 103 (Moscone South)
Description: It is imperative that we prepare tomorrow's scientists and citizens to address the societal impacts of a changing climate. The manifestations of climate change are becoming more apparent, as is the need for individuals to hold a complex interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of the Earth system. We welcome papers that focus on what education, social and cognitive research can tell us about misconceptions and incomplete mental models that hinder the understanding of the complex climate system. How can this knowledge be used to improve climate literacy for all learners? What models have demonstrated effectiveness in changing belief systems and behavioral change?

ED31E. Climate Literacy: Beyond the Comfort Zone — New Approaches to Climate Change in Higher Education I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Juliette Rooney-varga (UMass Lowell), Kristen St John (James Madison Univ), Suseela Reddy (Jackson State Univ) and Daniel Bedford
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 104 (Moscone South)
Description: The complex nature of climate change presents many challenges in higher education, including building literacies for effective discovery, decision-making, and innovation; cross-disciplinary communication and understanding; and increasing involvement of under-represented groups. This session will explore innovations in higher education that move beyond conventional boundaries to address these challenges. Approaches will include: use of climate and paleoclimate data; system dynamics and systems thinking; interactive exercises that immerse participants in complex systems; service learning to bring real-world problem-solving into higher education; and twenty-first century communication skills.

ED31F. Water Sciences Pop-Ups
Convener(s): Sheila Saia (Cornell University) and Mousa Diabat (Oregon State University)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 301 (Moscone South)
Description: This session provides students the opportunity to give a brief, 5min TED-like presentation on their vision of the future of geoscience. The session's goals are for students to present their research at an early stage of their career and communicate with scientists and the general public about their future visions of science. Abstracts should include a 1min video. Presenters will be selected based on submitted abstracts and career stage, with a goal of having a diverse range of research topics and backgrounds. All students who submit abstracts will be invited to a 1hr training workshop on effective presentation skills following the session. The session is restricted to students. Students submitting to this session will be allowed to be a first author on another submission.

ED32A. Climate Literacy: Impacts, Evidence, and Best Practices From Research and Evaluation I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Ann Martin (NASA Langley Research Center), Nicole Holthuis (Self-Employed), Susan Lynds (Univ Colorado) and Tina Phillips (Cornell University)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 104 (Moscone South)
Description: We now have many years of evaluation data from climate education, communication and outreach programs funded by federal agencies and foundations. AGU is an opportunity to come together to share actionable findings, supported by research and evaluation, as well as best practices and innovations in evaluation and research. In this session, we welcome papers that address the findings of evaluation/research in climate change education, particularly in reference to best practices, challenges and insights into impact. We also welcome papers that explore the practice and theory of evaluation in the context of climate literacy, where new ground is being broken, along with resources available to further such efforts.

ED33A. Climate Literacy: Barriers, Misconceptions, and Progress in Improving Climate Literacy II Posters
Convener(s): Anne Gold (CIRES/CU Boulder-Rsrch Lab 2), Karen McNeal (North Carolina State University at Raleigh) and Judith Humble (KVC Behavioral Healthcare KY, Inc.)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED33B. Climate Literacy: Beyond the Comfort Zone — New Approaches to Climate Change in Higher Education II Posters
Convener(s): Juliette Rooney-varga (UMass Lowell), Kristen St John (James Madison Univ), Suseela Reddy (Jackson State Univ) and Daniel Bedford
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED33C. Climate Literacy: Impacts, Evidence, and Best Practices From Research and Evaluation II Posters
Convener(s): Susan Lynds (Univ Colorado), Nicole Holthuis (Self-Employed), Tina Phillips (Cornell University) and Ann Martin (NASA Langley Research Center)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED33D. Undergraduate Geoscience Research and Outreach Posters
Convener(s): Laura Guertin (Penn State Brandywine), Toni Sauncy (Society of Physics Students), Lina Patino (National Science Foundation) and Pranoti Asher (American Geophysical Union)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: This poster session will bring together undergraduate student presenters with faculty co-authors to highlight Earth science, geoscience, space science, and geophysics research experiences and outreach efforts. Students from community colleges to research institutions, from the freshman through senior years are encouraged to disseminate their original ongoing and completed projects. The first author on the abstract must be an undergraduate student. This session is co-sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research-Geoscience Division, Society of Physics Students, the National Science Foundation- Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program, and the American Geophysical Union.

ED33E. From Pole to Pole: Experiences Educating About the Polar Regions I
Convener(s): Heidi Roop (GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), Sarah Bartholow (ARCUS) and Louise Huffman (UN-Lincoln)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 309 (Moscone South)
Description: Global efforts to raise awareness and literacy about the Arctic and Antarctic continue to grow, with new events and activities stemming out of initiatives such as the 2007-2008 International Polar Year, the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists, and Polar Educators International. This session provides a platform for educators and scientists to share perspectives, experiences, and resources used in communicating the scientific, social, and political issues of the Polar Regions. An aim of this session is to foster new collaborations, inspire ideas, and improve the effectiveness and reach of these globally diverse educational efforts. This session is coordinated by Polar Educators International.

ED34A. From Pole to Pole: Experiences Educating About the Polar Regions II
Convener(s): Heidi Roop (GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), Sarah Bartholow (ARCUS) and Louise Huffman (UN-Lincoln)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 307 (Moscone South)

Thursday, December 12

ED41A. Bright STaRS: Bright Students Training as Research Scientists Posters
Convener(s): Jennifer Saltzman (Stanford University) and Pranoti Asher (American Geophysical Union)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Several programs in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere support talented middle and high school students to discover the Earth and Space Sciences through after school and summer programs that provide hands-on research opportunities. Student research topics range from geomorphology to air pollution to paleobiology to shoreline monitoring. This session will highlight recent research, presented by the students themselves. Middle and high school students involved in similar programs at other locations are encouraged to contact the conveners to submit their projects.

ED41B. From Pole to Pole: Experiences Educating About the Polar Regions III Posters
Convener(s): Heidi Roop (GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), Sarah Bartholow (ARCUS) and Louise Huffman (UN-Lincoln)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED41C. Undergraduate Geoscience Research and Outreach Posters (Virtual E-Poster Session Only)
Convener(s): Laura Guertin (Penn State Brandywine), Pranoti Asher (American Geophysical Union), Toni Sauncy (Society of Physics Students - Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society) and Lina Patino (National Science Foundation)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED41D. Understanding and Integrating Student Prior Knowledge in Instruction to Facilitate Learning in Earth and Space Science Courses Posters
Convener(s): Leilani Arthurs ( )
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Every student brings to class a wealth of prior knowledge based on personal experiences and beliefs shaped over a lifetime. This prior knowledge may help or hinder individual learning in college-level Earth and space science courses. This session invites abstracts addressing research that (1) examines the types of (mis)conceptions and beliefs that students bring to college-level Earth and space science courses, (2) results in concrete strategies for integrating student prior knowledge into teaching and learning activities, and/or (3) evaluates the impacts of such strategies on student learning in terms of changes in performance and/or attitudes towards science.

ED41E. Effective Strategies for Undergraduate Research Experiences I
Convener(s): Rebecca Haacker-Santos (UCAR), Chris Houser (Texas A&M University), Diana Dalbotten (St Anthony Falls Lab) and Mary Anne Carroll (Univ Michigan)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 3007 (Moscone West)
Description: Research internships are a powerful tool to recruit and retain undergraduate students in the sciences, particularly for students without prior research experience. However, REUs are usually run locally and independently of each other. Sharing strategies and outcomes is important for increasing effectiveness and efficiency. This session aims to foster discussion of effective strategies for recruitment and selection of a diverse student cohort, mentor support, tracking students, and assessment of program effectiveness such as impacts on the likelihood of students pursuing geoscience careers. Innovative strategies to increase participation of non-traditional students and two-year college students are of particular interest.

ED43A. East Meets West: Intercultural Issues in Science Education Posters
Convener(s): Vincent C H Tong ( ) and Rongyi Qian (China University of Geoscience)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Transnational education at university levels is increasingly common, and pedagogical issues related to students and academics with contrasting cultural backgrounds have attracted significant attention around the world. In this Session, we invite contributions from geoscience academics to discuss their experience with different teaching and learning styles associated with Asian and Western cultures. Innovative pedagogical solutions that aim to bridge cultural differences, and studies of distance-learning and international exchange programs (for students or academics) are particularly welcome. Studies involving research students in geoscience and related disciplines are also encouraged.

ED43B. Effective Strategies for Undergraduate Research Experiences II Posters
Convener(s): Rebecca Haacker-Santos (UCAR), Chris Houser (Texas A&M University), Diana Dalbotten (St Anthony Falls Lab) and Mary Anne Carroll (Univ Michigan)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED43C. Opening Doors to Geoscience Research Through Experiential Learning Opportunities Posters
Convener(s): LaToya Myles (NOAA ATDD), Natasha Henry-White (NOAA) and April Croxton (NOAA-NOAA Fisheries)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Scientific curiosity about geoscience research is often introduced in the classroom, but satisfied in hands-on experiments, training, and fieldwork. Many students engage in experiential learning opportunities during internships and fellowships at academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. These experiences are invaluable for identifying and exploring geoscience research interests and careers. This session encourages submissions that identify best practices and examples of success for incorporating experiential learning into geoscience research programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

ED43D. The Role of Scientists as Communicators: From the Classroom to the Pub I Posters
Convener(s): Heidi Roop (GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), Bethan Davies (Aberystwyth University) and Thomas Wagner (NASA)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Scientists communicate to non-peer audiences through numerous pathways including websites, blogs, public lectures, media interviews, and educational collaborations. A considerable amount of time and money is invested in this public engagement and these efforts are to a large extent responsible for the public perception of science. However, few incentives exist for researchers to optimize their communication practices to ensure effective outreach. This session encourages critical reflection on the role of scientists as communicators and provides an opportunity for scientists to share their best practices, motivations, and ways in which outreach impacts can be evaluated. The oral session will include a discussion.

ED43E. Managing Ecological Data for Effective Use and Reuse I
Convener(s): Amber Budden (DataONE), Carly Strasser (California Digital Library) and Karthik Ram (University of California Berkeley)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 300 (Moscone South)
Description: Increased use of information technology has fundamentally transformed Earth sciences, leading to an era of computationally-driven, data-intensive research. While methods for collecting data are well taught, there is less emphasis on managing the resulting data effectively. Agency and publisher policy changes require increased data management and scientists with good management skills will be able to maximize the productivity of their own research, effectively and efficiently share their data with the community, and benefit from the re-use of their data by others. This session will cover tools, techniques and best practices for organizing and sharing data throughout the data lifecycle with an emphasis on open source products and services.

ED43F. The Role of Scientists as Communicators: From the Classroom to the Pub II
Convener(s): Heidi Roop (GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), Bethan Davies (Aberystwyth University) and Thomas Wagner (NASA)
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM; 309 (Moscone South)

ED44A. Tools, Resources, and Lessons Learned for Scientists Engaging in Education and Public Outreach I (Virtual Option)
Convener(s): Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute), Brooke Hsu (Lunar and Planetary Institute), Nicholas Gross (Boston University) and Lora Bleacher (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 103 (Moscone South)
Description: Education and public outreach (EPO) activities are opportunities to connect scientists directly to students, teachers, informal educators, and the public. Benefits include personalizing scientific discoveries and engaging a new generation of scientists. This session is a venue where scientists can share tools, resources and lessons learned about sharing their work in EPO contexts and where EPO professionals can share best practices to help improve the satisfaction of EPO activities for scientists and audience members. Scientists and EPO professionals who have evaluation data or participant feedback from their EPO activities will be invited to share their evaluation tools and results.

Friday, December 13

ED51A. Era of Citizen Science: Intersection of Outreach, Scientific Research and Big Data I Posters [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Laura Trouille (Adler Planetarium) and Elizabeth MacDonald (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: The traditional method of outreach to a variety of formal, informal, science and non-science audiences has undergone a fundamental change with recent advances in technology, social media and big data, giving way to citizen science with many applications. However, there is also a rising demographics of citizen science users that provide data sets for professionals or inverse citizen science application. The blurring of the data scientist and data user is a shift from the current paradigm of citizen science. This session invites papers on methodology, applications of citizen science to outreach, research, transformative approaches to science education and the future of citizen science.

ED51B. Strategies and Innovations in Communicating and Educating the Public about Earth Science Posters [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Yekaterina Kontar (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Simon Schneider (GEOTECHNOLOGIEN) and Leilani Arthurs ( )
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: The goal of this session is to discuss recent ideas and advances in how to effectively communicate and educate about Earth science to students, policy makers, the media, and the public at large. We invite papers that focus on the efficacy of scientific communication, especially in the context of communicating and educating about issues of sustainability, social justice, and geoscience public relations.

ED51C. Toward a Sustained, Comprehensive, Intensive Approach to Broadening Participation in the Geosciences I Posters
Convener(s): Teresa Mourad (Ecological Society of America), Bethany Holm Adamec (American Geophysical Union) and Ashanti Johnson ( )
8:00 AM - 12:20 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: According to the 2010 US Census, all the minority populations posted double digit growth ranging from 12.3% to 43% over the last decade. In contrast, participation of minorities, women and people with disabilities in science fields have remained largely flat. Jointly organized by AGU, Ecological Society of America and Institute for Broadening Participation, this session will highlight programs that have successfully contributed to broadening participation, characterize dimensions critical to success within an ecosystem of learning framework, and identify major program gaps and ideas to build a network infrastructure for ongoing coordination.

ED51D. Era of Citizen Science: Intersection of Outreach, Scientific Research and Big Data II [SWIRL_CM]
Convener(s): Emily Lakdawalla (The Planetary Society), Constance Walker (Natl Optical Astronomy Observ), Joshua Viers (University of California Merced) and Padma Yanamandra-Fisher (Space Science Institute)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 2016 (Moscone West)

ED51E. Tools, Resources, and Lessons Learned for Scientists Engaging in Education and Public Outreach II (Virtual Option: On-Demand Only)
Convener(s): Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute), Brooke Hsu (Lunar and Planetary Institute), Nicholas Gross (Boston University) and Lora Bleacher (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM; 103 (Moscone South)

ED52A. Tools, Resources, and Lessons Learned for Scientists Engaging in Education and Public Outreach III (Virtual Option: On-Demand Only)
Convener(s): Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute), Brooke Hsu (Lunar and Planetary Institute), Nicholas Gross (Boston University) and Lora Bleacher (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM; 103 (Moscone South)

ED53A. Incorporating Next Generation Science Standards Into the K–12 Classroom Posters
Convener(s): Julie Malmberg (The GLOBE Program/UCAR) and Kristin Wegner (The GLOBE Program/UCAR)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: This session will show ways to incorporate Next Generation Science Standards into the K-12 Classroom including ideas and alignment for learning activities, curriculum, and lesson plans. Scientists and educators will share successful strategies for aligning science and engineering activities in the classroom.

ED53B. Managing Ecological Data for Effective Use and Reuse II Posters
Convener(s): Amber Budden (DataONE), Carly Strasser (California Digital Library) and Karthik Ram (University of California Berkeley)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED53C. Next Generation Science Standards and the Future of American Geoscience Posters
Convener(s): Michael Wysession (Washington Univ), Ramon Lopez (University of TX at Arlington) and Paula Messina ( )
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released in April, 2013, with profound implications for the future of U.S. Earth and Space Science (ESS) education. The ESS content is rigorous, including advanced topics such as climate system changes, with a full year of ESS recommended for all students in both middle and high school. However, geoscience organizations must mobilize to prepare for and help implement such a major change in K-12 science education. Abstracts are encouraged that respond to the NGSS in the areas of 1) curriculum development, including research-based data and activities, 2) professional development, 3) assessment, 4) post-secondary ESS education, and 5) ESS educational research.

ED53D. Real-Time Measurement in Geoscience Education Posters
Convener(s): Jonathan Aurnou (Univ California, Los Angeles) and Adrian Lenardic (Rice University)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: One of the best ways to motivate the next generation of developing scientists and engineers is through real-time, quantitative experiments, done inside or outside the classroom. Real-time experimentation is now easily accomplished at reasonable costs using readily available educational science hardware. Here, we broadly solicit contributions to provide examples of this teaching strategy via an experiential poster session circus. Thus, presenters are strongly encouraged to bring their small-scale experiments and analog devices in order to demonstrate the joys and thrills of real-time data acquisition live and direct at the Moscone Center. (This session will be a crowd-sourced experiment in and of itself).

ED53E. Scalable Instruction in Earth Science: From MOOCs to Adaptive Learning Posters
Convener(s): Donna Charlevoix ( ) and Jonathan Tomkin (University of Illinois)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: New approaches and instructional technologies are changing the landscape of education. A key feature is scalability: the ability to handle increasing numbers of individuals on a single platform. Online learning, blended instruction, adaptive learning and MOOCs allow scaling of earth science classes. Understanding and incorporating these techniques is critical in meeting state and community expectations for education. Benefits include increased accessibility, lower costs, increased instructor feedback, and higher levels of personalization. We welcome papers on all aspects of scalable instructional strategies, especially those on implementation and assessment.

ED53F. Sharing Tools and Models for Evaluating Education and Public Outreach Posters
Convener(s): Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute) and Stephanie Shipp (Lunar & Planetary Inst)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)
Description: Demonstrating the impact of education and public outreach (EPO) activities and programs requires information beyond reporting the number of participants. Additionally, funding agencies are continuing to increase the requirements related to detailed evaluation plans including goals, outcomes, and metrics for success. This session will bring together evaluators and those who work will evaluators to showcase models for conducting evaluations, effectively working with external evaluators, and examples of successful program evaluations.

ED53G. Tools, Resources, and Lessons Learned for Scientists Engaging in Education and Public Outreach IV Posters
Convener(s): Sanlyn Buxner (Planetary Science Institute), Brooke Hsu (Lunar and Planetary Institute), Nicholas Gross (Boston University) and Alexandra Matiella Novak (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)
1:40 PM - 6:00 PM; Hall A-C (Moscone South)

ED54A. Toward a Sustained, Comprehensive, Intensive Approach to Broadening Participation in the Geosciences II
Convener(s): Teresa Mourad (Ecological Society of America), Bethany Holm Adamec (American Geophysical Union) and Ashanti Johnson ( )
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; 301 (Moscone South)

Associated Topical Sessions

These sessions are co-sponsored by education and may be of interest. Be sure to check out all available sessions on the AGU Fall Meeting Website


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