Editor's note: In putting this month's newsletter together, we realize it is chock full of information and opportunities, leading it to be quite lengthy. Still, we encourage you to skim through the entire newsletter.
Nominate new NAGT Officers by March 15, 2023!
Are you or someone you know interested in getting more involved in NAGT?
NAGT strives for an inclusive and diverse leadership team. Our open nomination process is designed to foster broad participation in our leadership and programming. The Nomination Committee is soliciting nominations from the membership for open positions in the Executive Committee. If you have been involved in NAGT through your Section or Division, serving on a committee, or leading professional development, and you want to do more to help NAGT (or if you know someone else who does), a leadership role at the national level is a great next step! Nominations are open for the following positions:
- 2nd Vice-President
A four-year commitment: the 2nd Vice-President transitions to 1st Vice-President, President, and Past President over four years. - Councilors-at-Large (2)
Serve a three-year term.
Terms begin at the GSA Annual Meeting in October 2023. To learn more about these roles and find out if it's a good fit for you, read the NAGT Officer Guidelines. (Acrobat (PDF) 71kB Feb4 20) If you are interested or would like to nominate someone to serve on the committee, please use this nomination form. Self-nominations are welcome.
Nominate an Outstanding Earth Science Teacher by March 31
Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.
Engage in Effective Planning for Change: Apply for a Fall Traveling Workshop by March 15
Is your program or department facing change? Maybe you've brought on new faculty, student demographics have changed, your administration is asking you to reorganize, or you've proposed reorganization yourself. Maybe you are revising your curriculum and want everyone involved. These big changes can be challenging and disruptive, but they can also be transformative and offer opportunities. Our experienced leader teams will work with you to design a workshop that will bring your community together, be strategic, and build an action plan that can succeed.
Visit the Traveling Workshops Program website to learn more and apply by March 15. Have additional topics you'd like to see? Complete this brief survey to help shape the future offerings to meet the needs of the community. Can't make the March 15 deadline? Don't worry - there are four deadlines per year.
NAGT Seeks a New Editor-in-Chief for JGE
Do you enjoy learning about research that is happening across the geoscience education community? Are you interested in broadening access to education research and elevating the work of geoscience education researchers? Do you have high standards and a willingness to support editors and authors in meeting those standards? If you answered yes to these questions, this opportunity may be for you! NAGT is seeking a new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE), NAGT's premier peer-reviewed publication for geoscience education research, to begin serving in Fall 2023. Learn more about the position and submit your application by May 1, 2023.
Provide Feedback on Proposed Bylaws Changes
NAGT members are invited to read and comment on revisions to NAGT's bylaws. The revised bylaws, which involve Standing Committees, Meetings, and Regional Sections, will be put to a vote during the May Executive Committee Meeting. Submit any feedback on the bylaws changes by May 1.
Provide Feedback on K12 Position Statement Proposed Changes
NAGT members, you're invited to read through and comment on our revised and updated K12 Position Statement (formerly known as Position Statement on High School Earth Science Instruction, which was adopted in 2012). Please provide your feedback by April 1.
Serve our Community: Join an NAGT committee
Help to guide the work of the organization: NAGT committees are seeking new members. For more information about each committee and to nominate yourself or a colleague, please visit NAGT's Get Involved in NAGT Leadership web page. The following committees are seeking new members:
- Stimulation of Interest in the Earth Sciences: Neil Miner Award Committee (seeking 2 new members)
- Excellence in Earth Science Writing and Editing: James H. Shea Award Committee (seeking 2 new members)
- Scholarships for Field Study Committee (seeking 1 new member)
- Advocacy Committee (seeking new members on an ongoing basis)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (seeking new members on an ongoing basis)
- Webinar Planning Committee (seeking 2 new members)
- Development Committee (seeking 1 new member)
- We are also excited to announce the new Gary Fuis and Stacey Andrews Scholarship, supporting participation in the NAGT/USGS Cooperative Summer Fellowship Program - committee members are sought for this scholarship committee as well!
Nominate yourself or a colleague
Nominate your colleagues for NAGT Awards!
- Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award (OEST) for exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level. Nominations are due by March 31st.
- The Excellence in JEDI Award (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). Nominate by April 15th
- The Neil Miner Award for exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences. Nominate by April 15th
- The James Shea Award for exceptional contributions in writing or editing of Earth science materials. Nominate by April 15th
- The Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award for service to the Association at the national and/or section level. Nominations are on a rolling basis
- Dorothy LaLonde Stout Professional Development Awards to support professional growth in, or classroom teaching of Earth science, for faculty and students at two-year colleges and K12 teachers. Nominate by April 15th
Nominate Yourself or Colleagues for AGU Awards
AGU is seeking nominations for several awards, including the Dorothy LaLonde Stout Lecture and Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to K-16+ education and/or public outreach during the early career; the Excellence in Earth and Space Education Award, recognizing a sustained commitment to excellence in geophysical education; the award for Advancing Inclusive Excellence in STEM; and for Ambassador Awards, for outstanding contributions to one or more of the following areas: societal impact, service to the Earth and space community, scientific leadership, and promotion of talent/career pool. Information on the award and the nomination process can be found on the award website, and we encourage you to reach out to Cathryn Manduca (cmanduca@carleton.edu) or Tanya Furman (furman@psu.edu) with questions. The nomination platform is open now, and closes April 12.
NAGT Signs on to Statement Reaffirming Commitment to Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers is one of 19 scientific societies to sign on to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology's statement reaffirming our commitment to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. The statement was created in light of recent activities and policies that threaten this important work, including censorship of teachers, limiting academic freedom, and changes to inclusion initiatives at higher education campuses. Read the entire statement here.
AGI Offers Free Training in Geoscience Communications to NAGT Members for Limited Time
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is offering free training in geoscience communications to members of AGI Member Societies (that means you!).
The online course, Practical Geocommunication, is offered by Geologize LTD, which is endorsed by leading geoscience organizations around the world. It is designed to enable geoscientists at all career stages to become more effective and powerful public ambassadors for the geosciences. During the course, participants have access to lessons, quizzes, assignments, and direct interaction with the course instructor, Dr. Haydon Mort, through forums. The training counts as nine hours of Continuing Professional Development, and a certificate is provided upon completion.
The free training opportunity opened on March 1, 2023, and is available for one year. NAGT members can access it using the instructions on this page. Please do not share this with others outside the organization, as it is a member benefit.
CUAHSI Seeks Feedback from Faculty Who Teach and Mentor Undergraduate Students in the Water Sciences
The Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) is seeking to understand the needs of faculty who teach water science to undergraduate students. Any college-level instructor, regardless of academic discipline, institution type, or appointment status, who teaches at least one undergraduate-level class related to water science is welcome to participate. Your feedback may inform the development of new CUAHSI programs and services.
If you meet the above qualifications, we welcome your input. After you have reviewed the informed consent information, you may begin the survey. The online survey will take about 25 minutes to complete. Any questions about the survey can be sent to Dr. Deanna McCay at dmccay@cuahsi.org.
2023 Geoscience Field Camp Offerings
In an effort to help students and faculty find options for Summer 2023 field camp offerings, NAGT is compiling a list of field camps of all formats. This list includes programs-whether they be online, in-person, or hybrid-that have space for additional students. Are you a field camp director with space for additional enrollment in your summer 2023 course? We invite you to add your program to the list.
Please share the field camp list with students who may be interested in participating in these programs.
Submit Community Kudos
NGSS Webinar: PhET
Date & Time: Thursday, April 20, 2023, 1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET
Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 19, 2023
NNCI Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Community Virtual Workshop
Date: April 5-6, 2023, including optional 'Office Hours with Experts'
Hosted by NCI-SW, in coordination with NanoEarth (The Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure), MONT, and nano@stanford.
Registration deadline: April 2, 2023
CLEAN Webinar: Beyond Doom & Gloom: How to Teach Climate Change Towards Empowerment with CLEAN
Alicia Christensen, CIRES Outreach Associate
Date & Time: Thursday, April 20, 2023. 3pm PT | 4pm MT | 5pm CT| 6pm ET (60 minutes)
Register up to event start.
Ninth Annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous
Registration and abstract submissions are now open for the ninth annual Earth Educators' Rendezvous, taking place in Pasadena, CA, from July 10-14, 2023! NAGT members receive $100 off registration.
- Check out the program
- Receive early registration discount - Register by May 3
- Submit late abstracts (for poster and Share-a-Thon sessions) by May 17
- Sign up to receive updates on the 2023 EER
The AGU Bridge Program Student Application Is Open!
Are you interested or do you know a student who is interested in attending graduate school in the geosciences? The AGU Bridge Program seeks to recruit and retain students from historically marginalized backgrounds into geoscience graduate programs around the country. We partner with departments who are committed to adopting best practices in admissions and retention of students and are striving to improve the geoscience education experience for all students. Students identifying as Hispanic, Black/African-American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants can apply via the AGU Bridge Program using a single, free application to be considered for graduate school admission by our 45+ partner geoscience departments. The application portal and more information can be found on the AGU Bridge Program website. The application deadline is 15 March 2023. Questions? Reach out to: bridge@agu.org
Two-Year College Division
Nominate an Outstanding Adjunct 2YC Faculty today!
The Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award (OAFA) is an opportunity to showcase the efforts of you or one of your adjunct colleagues who is doing great work in geoscience education. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. See the information page for more details about the award. Nominate an adjunct faculty member
Apply for Faculty Development Awards
The Geo2YC Division wants to support members' efforts to promote geoscience education. Two Faculty Development awards are available to Geo2YC members: (1) Mini grants up to $500 to support an activity (workshop, field trip, etc.), which benefits faculty from multiple institutions, and (2) travel grants of $100 to help an individual attend a professional development activity. Apply by April 15
Teacher Education Division
Post to the TED Division Facebook Page
Members are invited to post time-critical information on the TED Division Facebook page.
Sparking Curiosity Through Exploration with NASA's Infiniscope Virtual Sessions
Dates: March 15, 16, 21, and 22
Register to learn about NASA-funded Infiniscope and how to use it during one or more of four virtual sessions. NASA-funded project, Infiniscope has a whole catalog of free resources for teaching Earth and space science. Whatever your content area or grade level, you'll find something to help you engage your learners in new ways. If you cannot attend the events in real-time, you can register to receive information about recordings.
Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, 1-Year Visiting Position - College of Wooster
Professor of Geology/Geotech - Mount San Antonio College
Geography Professor - College of the Sequoias
Assistant Professor - Hydrogeology - University of Arkansas Little Rock
Assistant Professor - Sedimentology - University of Arkansas Little Rock
