NAGT News - Vol 21 - No 4

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Initial Publication Date: April 8, 2021

Let NAGT promote your AGU Fall Meeting event!

Are you interested in proposing a geoscience-education themed workshop, session, or town hall for the AGU Fall Meeting? NAGT and our topical divisions (Geo2YC, Geoscience Education, and Teacher Education) want to sponsor your workshop! The deadline to propose a workshop to AGU is April 14.

Submit your application for NAGT sponsorship by midnight CT April 12. Apply today!

Nominate a colleague for the new NAGT Excellence in JEDI Award

NAGT is pleased to announce the brand new Excellence in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Award. The NAGT DEI committee recognizes an individual or group for their outstanding contribution(s) that may include, but are not limited to, developing both formal and informal activities that promote JEDI in the geosciences, exemplary mentorship of the next generation of diverse geoscientists and geoscience educators, influential communications that promote discussion and actions in support of JEDI, or relevant scholarly contributions.

The JEDI awardee will receive a complimentary one-year membership to NAGT, a ticket to the NAGT luncheon at the GSA Annual Meeting, and an invitation to present their relevant work to the membership at a DEI committee sponsored event. Nominations are due April 15.

Learn more and nominate

Nominate yourself or your colleagues for other NAGT awards!

James Shea Award for contributions to Earth science writing and editing

NAGT presents the James H. Shea Award annually to an individual for exceptional contributions in the form of writing and/or editing of Earth science materials (broadly construed) that are of interest to the general public and/or teachers of Earth science. This award was established in 1991 in honor of James H. Shea, long-time editor of the Journal of Geoscience Education, and commemorates his long-standing commitment to promoting high quality geoscience education by publishing the best ideas for effective and innovative teaching. Nominations due April 15. Learn more and nominate

Neil Miner Award for stimulating interest in Earth sciences

Each year, NAGT presents the Neil Miner Award to an individual for exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences. The award, presented each year since 1953, commemorates Neil Miner's concern for personal excellence and effective teaching. Nominations due April 15. Learn more and nominate

Robert Christman Award for service to NAGT

The Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award was established by the Executive Committee in April 2008, to recognize individuals who have provided long, distinguished service to the Association at the national and/or section level. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more and nominate

Dorothy LaLonde Stout Professional Development Award

Dottie Stout was the first female president of NAGT and was active as a strong supporter of Earth science education at all levels. In honor of Dottie's outstanding work and lifelong dedication to Earth science education, NAGT gives these awards to faculty and students at two-year colleges and K-12 teachers. Nominations due May 15. Learn more and nominate

Support K-12 Teachers Attending the 2021 Earth Educators' Rendezvous

Send a teacher to the Rendezvous! Donations to the NAGT Professional Development Fund received between March 1-June 30 will go toward supporting K-12 educators who attend the 2021 Earth Educators' Rendezvous.

Our goal is to provide 3 days of registration for 20 K-12 teachers. Help us meet our goal with a contribution of any amount to the NAGT Professional Development Fund today!

Donate today!

Want to help us spread the word? Download the flyer and share it with colleagues! (Acrobat (PDF) 4.5MB Mar31 21)

Are you a K-12 Teacher interested in attending the Rendezvous? Apply for a K-12 Stipend!

A limited number of stipends will be available in the form of registration discount codes for successful applicants who intend to participate in at least two days of events at the Rendezvous. Applications were due April 1; however, we are considering late applications as funds permit.

Learn more and apply

Check out some of the sessions that may be of interest to K12 educators!

Register for the 7th Annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous July 12-16, 2021, Online

Registration and abstract submission are now open for the seventh annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous, taking place online from July 12-16, 2021! NAGT members receive $100 off registration.

Earth Science Week 2021 Image Contest: "Water Today and for the Future"

NAGT is a sponsor for AGI's Earth Science Week in October 2021. In an effort to raise awareness of NAGT with teachers across the country, we are producing print and digital materials to be distributed during Earth Science Week. We hope to showcase imagery from our members that fits the 2021 theme of "Water Today and for the Future." Submit your photos, maps, graphs, or any other kind of "images!"

Submit an image

AGU Position Statements on Education: MemberComment Period Open

An expert panel has crafted two draft AGU position statement updates: one on Earth and space science education and one on the teaching of evolution and climate change. Please review and comment on the draft statements by 30 April. Read more about the process of developing the statements on From the Prow.

Do you have good news related to your geoscience education work that you would like to share with the NAGT community? Submit to NAGT's Community Kudos!

CLEAN Webinar: Using Understanding Global Change to Make Earth System Connections about Local Phenomena: The Return of the River Otters - April 13, 2021

6:30pm ET | 5:30 pm CT | 4:30pm MT | 3:30pm PT
Register

GETSI Webinar: Mini short course: Teaching about Eyes on the Hydrosphere: Tracking Water Resources - April 14, 2021

10 am-12 pm PT | 11 am-1 pm MT | 12-2 pm CT | 1-3 pm ET | 5-7 pm UTC
Register by April 12, 2021

Teaching Climate Change in a Community That Does Not Want to Hear it

6:30pm ET | 5:30 pm CT | 4:30pm MT | 3:30pm PT
Register

NAGT Webinar: Inclusion through STEM Experiences: Approaches to Increase Access and Accommodations - April 28, 2021

12:00pm PT | 1:00pm MT | 2:00pm CT | 3:00pm ET
Register by April 26, 2021

Nanotechnology in STEM Workshop: NNCI Nanoscience Earth and Environmental Science Research Community Virtual Workshop - May 24-25, with optional 'Office Hours with Experts' on May 26, 2021

Days begin at: 11am ET | 10am CT | 9am MT | 8am PT (Duration: 4 hours each day)
Register by May 17, 2021

Project Eddie Webinar: Assessing Quantitative Reasoning - May 26, 2021

7:00 - 8:30 am am PT | 8:00 - 9:30 am MT | 9:00 - 10:30 am CT | 10:00 - 11:30 am pm ET
Register by May 24, 2021

Transforming Institutions Conference - June 9-11, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Transforming Institutions Conference. Transforming Institutions brings together researchers, faculty, change agents, administrators, center staff and directors, and policymakers to focus on transforming undergraduate education. Transforming Institutions Conference participants will have the opportunity to identify critical questions facing institutional change, foster connections with colleagues interested in change, and address important topics related to transforming institutions of higher education. Events will include presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, and plenaries. Posters are still being accepted through May 15th. The conference will also feature a special panel session with representatives from funding agencies.

Check out the conference program
Sign up to receive updates on the TI Conference
Register by May 15, 2021 to receive the early bird discount! Regular registration closes June 8, 2021.

The 7th Annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous - Online July 12-16, 2021

Registration and abstract submission are now open for the seventh annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous, taking place online from July 12-16, 2021! NAGT members receive $100 off registration.

Virtual Workshop: Teaching Computation Online with MATLAB - Online October 17-19, 2021

This 3-day workshop is for educators in biology, chemistry, engineering, geoscience, math, physics, and beyond! Topics will include:

Strategies for flipping classrooms and videoing lectures
automated grading of coding assignments with MATLAB Grader
Centralized browser-based MATLAB Online software for teaching and learning

Learn more and apply to attend the workshop today!

Geoscience Education Research (GER) Division

Nominate a colleague for the GER Transformation and Collaborations Award

Nominations for the GER Transformation and Collaborations Awards are now open! These awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to the development of and capacity for geoscience education research, including non-GER colleagues (e.g. geophysicists, educational psychologists, education researchers) who have infused the GER community with new ideas. Find out more about both awards and make your nominations by June 15, 2021!

Teacher Education (TED) Division

TED is seeking a new VP

Please submit a brief letter of interest by 15 April to Past-President Laura Hollister at dinochic@earthlink.net. Consider this a 3-year commitment to the Teacher Education Division. If elected in June, after serving for one year as Vice-President, you would be nominated for President the following year, and likely become Past-President for the year after that. Officers assume duties during the TED Business Meeting held annually at GSA (usually in September).

This is a tremendous opportunity to work with other leaders at NAGT and throughout the geoscience education community. According to TED By-Laws, responsibilities of the Vice-President are:

In the absence of the President, preside at meetings of the Division and the Executive Board.
Chair the Long-Range Planning Committee.
Coordinate with the Media Director to recruit and maintain contact with Sustaining Members.
Recruit Division members to serve as liaisons to NAGT Sections.
Coordinate Division activities with NAGT Section liaisons and report on NAGT Section teacher education activities to the Executive Board; and
Assume other duties as requested by the President.

Post to the TED Division Facebook Page

Members are invited to post time-critical information on the TED Division Facebook page.

Eastern Section

Annual Eastern Section meeting

The Eastern Section will be holding its annual meeting on Friday, June 4, via Zoom. Read the winter 2021 NAGT-ES Bulletin for more information. (Acrobat (PDF) 4MB Mar9 21)

Earth Educators' Rendezvous Academic Career Prep Award for graduate students

Thanks to generous donations from NAGT members and donors, graduate students attending the Mon-Wed Academic Career Preparation workshop at the Earth Educators Rendezvous are eligible to apply for a limited number of stipends. Application deadline has been extended until April 12, 2021.

Volunteer at the Earth Educators' Rendezvous and save on registration!

The Rendezvous Student Support Stipend is intended to reduce the cost of attending the conference for current undergraduate and graduate students in exchange for assistance in supporting Rendezvous programming. Stipends will be provided in the form of a discount code that you can use when registering for the Rendezvous. Applications are due April 12, 2021 Learn more and apply.

GSA On To the Future (OTF) program seeking applicants

Apply to the On To the Future (OTF) program and receive an award to attend GSA Connects 2021, full meeting registration, and one-year membership. OTF offers friendships, mentorship, and a professional development workshop. Underrepresented, low-income, first-generation, non-traditional, women, veterans, LGBTQ+, and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications are due May 28. Apply now.

FREE Seismology Skill Building Workshop - Summer 2021

The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) will offer a FREE online workshop for undergraduate students and recent graduates who will be starting graduate school in the fall of 2021, that want to develop scientific computing skills within a seismological context. The goals for the workshop are to increase participants:

Knowledge, skills, and interest in seismology and scientific computing,
Self-efficacy in using seismic data, and
Competitiveness in the application process for graduate school, summer internships, or professional jobs.

The workshop will run from May 31 to August 20, 2021. Based on the 2020 workshop, participants should expect to invest approximately 5-6 hours per week including participating in the weekly webinar (or watching the recording).

At the end of the workshop participants will receive a performance report certificate via email. There are also options for students wishing to receive university credit.

Learn more and register (Registration closes May 15, 2021)

The Sternberg Museum Science Camps: Virtual geoscience summer camps for 1st-12th graders

The Sternberg Museum Science Camps are built around a philosophy of student development, empowerment, and self-discovery. Our virtual camps use interactive online worlds in GatherTown along with shipped materials kits to create diverse interactive learning experiences. Our kits include rock and mineral samples, guide books, lab and field tools, and other awesome materials. We go above and beyond to foster fun, supportive, inclusive, challenging learning communities where students explore, grow, and have fun! Our instructional staff are experts in the topics they teach, typically up-and-coming graduate students and research-experienced professional educators. Registration is open until May 1st. Find us on Facebook and Instagram at @SternbergCamps.

NAGT does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of information contained on an externally-linked website. NAGT does not necessarily endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, nor endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.

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