September 2010 NAGT e-Newsletter

A view of Monument Valley, Utah. Photo by Moritz Zimmerman. Details

Changes Coming for NAGT Publications

Mike Taber (Colorado College), NAGT President

My Fellow NAGT Members,

Fall is here and with it the new academic year. This fall NAGT is engaged in some major changes to strengthen our service to you. For the past two years, the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) has transformed into a publication that focuses on geoscience education research and curriculum and instruction, as well as commentary articles. As a result, old aspects of JGE, including textbook reviews, teaching tips, and field trip and laboratory pedagogies are missed by some NAGT members. To address concerns about the changes to JGE, the NAGT executive committee has implemented some new, exciting changes to our society's publications. Continue reading...

In the Trenches - An NAGT publication in the works

David Steer (University of Akron), Future Editor - In the Trenches

The purpose of this column is to inform you of a new publication in the works at NAGT and invite you to contribute content to this endeavor. This ~16 page hard copy and digital publication is designed to provide a forum for geosciences education dialog targeting educators in the classroom. The NAGT Executive Committee decided to initiate this service in response to feedback from our members that indicated desire for such an outlet. It will provide a venue for you to inform NAGT members about your best teaching ideas, resources or other special topics relevant to our profession that do not lend themselves to more research-focused journals. The idea is to provide a more informal outlet of your ideas and experiences that can inform the larger community. Continue reading...

The National Research Council's "Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards": Earth Science Feedback and the Future

Eric J. Pyle, James Madison University

Since 1996, the National Science Education Standards has been one of the central driving forces in science education policy and curriculum development. It was not a curriculum in itself, but was intended to provide guidance to those that developed not only curricula, but also those that designed assessments to match those curricula as well as those that prepared or provided professional development for teachers of science. Along with Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS, 1993), the Standards have influenced the lives of many students since their publication. Late in the past winter, the National Research Council commissioned the Board on Science Education to begin the process of re-conceptualizing the Standards, in preparation for the development of new standards. This project, called "Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards," sought to articulate core ideas in the major domains of science content. Draft frameworks were prepared by working groups or "Design Teams" within physical, life, and Earth sciences. Each of the Design Team members was selected not just on the basis of their knowledge of Earth science content, but also on the basis of their skills and experience in organizing that content for teachers and students alike in learning contexts. Continue reading...

Upcoming Workshops and Webinars for Geoscience Educators

Read full descriptions

• An Introduction to Earth's Climate (Webinar)
  September 22, 2010
• Advancing Environmental Literacy about Transition and Tipping Points in Complex Environmental Systems (Webinar)
  September 28, 2010
• GSA Workshop on Teaching about Energy in Geoscience Courses
  Registration Deadline: September 27, 2010
• Using Online Volcano Monitoring Data in College and University Courses: The Volcano Exploration Project, Pu`u `O`o
  Registration Deadline: September 27, 2010
• Teaching About Earth's Climate Using Data and Numerical Models (Virtual Workshop)
  Application/Registration Deadline: October 1, 2010

GSA Announcements and Reminders

Volunteers Needed for the NAGT Booth at GSA: NAGT is always looking for members who are willing to volunteer an hour or two of their time to help out at the booth during GSA. If you are attending GSA and want to meet other members and talk about the great things going on in NAGT, please send an email to Linda Goozen in the Executive Director's Office.

Geoscience Educators' Social Reception: Saturday, 30 October, 5:00–7:00 PM, Colorado Convention Center Lobby B
Connect with your fellow educators at this informal gathering. Cash bar.

NAGT/GSA Geoscience Education Division Luncheon: Sunday, 31 October, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Hyatt CCC, Capitol Ballroom 5-6-7
Come congratulate the 2010 NAGT and GED awards winners and meet the new organization officers.
This is a ticketed event. Don't forget to purchase your ticket when you register for GSA.

GSA Geoscience Education and NAGT Research Special Interest Group: Tuesday, 2 November, 6:00-8:00 PM Hyantt CCC, Mineral Hall D-E

See the 2010 GSA Activities page for information on all NAGT sponsored sessions and events.

CSDMS Modeling Course Questionnaire

The CSDMS Integration Facility is interested in making their products and tools accessible to the college classroom. To help them understand the needs of both instructors and students in undergraduate and graduate courses, they are gathering information about how surface process modeling is currently being taught. Continue reading...

Page 2 - Teaching Resources: Teaching with the News >>

Stories on Page 2 include: Incorporating the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill into Geomicrobiology courses, Teaching Quantitative Reasoning with the News, Visualizations and Teaching Materials About Disasters and Hazards