News
- Announcing 2020 Online Earth Educators' Rendezvous!
- JGE Editor Search: Application deadline extended to June 15
- AGI/NAGT Lab Manual: 12th Edition now in print, Free access to 11th Edition e-text through July 30
- Traveling Workshops Program Update
- Apply by May 15 for the Early Career Workshop
- Join the Community: SERC and NAGT's Resources for Teaching Online
- Register by July 13 for the Stay-In-Stitute for Climate Change Education Virtual Conference
- Get Involved in NAGT!
Awards and Recognition
Upcoming Workshops
Deadlines
- Upcoming Online Rendezvous Deadlines
- NAGT Awards: OEST, Stout, Outstanding TA, Christman
- JGE Editor-in-Chief Applications
- MATLAB Workshop Applications
- Career Hub: Ongoing
Section and Division Highlights
From Our Members
NAGT Career Hub
Rock and Mineral Exchange
Announcing the 2020 Online Earth Educators' Rendezvous!
The 2020 Rendezvous Planning Committee is excited to unveil the 2020 Online Earth Educators' Rendezvous Program and re-open registration for the online event! The Online Rendezvous will take place online via Zoom from July 13-17, 2020, and will feature a mix of multi-day (M-W and Th-F) workshops with synchronous and asynchronous aspects, afternoon mini-workshops, roundtable discussions, plenaries, and a contributed program. Below are just a few of the exciting highlights of this year's reimagined Online Rendezvous!
- The Program is designed to maximize synchronous times that are appropriate across multiple time zones. There will be a one-hour break between morning and afternoon programming.
- Morning workshops will meet for two or three consecutive days. Workshops are interactive, with participants learning from experts and from one another in formats that build on research-based pedagogies. During the afternoon, you can pick from a mix of mini-workshops, roundtable discussions and/or contributed talks, posters, or teaching demonstrations.
- We have added a workshop that specifically addresses the recent challenges we are facing due to the pandemic: Teaching your upper-level course online: A Community Collaboration to build robust online Geoscience courses, as well as a roundtable discussion on transitioning to teaching online.
- The formal program includes two plenary speakers, which will give you the opportunity to hear from experts who bring to light new ways of thinking about Earth related topics, ways of teaching, and interdisciplinary perspectives; all registrants will be able to attend the plenaries as long as they're registered for at least one day of the Rendezvous.
- We have extended the Activity Review Camp application deadline to May 25.
- Registration stipends/awards are available for the following workshops:
- Preparing for an Academic Career
- Creating Inquiry-Based Labs for Introductory Geology Courses
- Teaching for a Changing World: Water resources and melting ice
- Participants will be emailed a link for their workshop(s) and afternoon events prior to their start date; detailed information about how to connect and participate in the online events is forthcoming. Sign up to receive Online Rendezvous updates so you can stay in the know!
Register for Online Rendezvous TODAY and join us for this unparalleled professional development opportunity! Register for any number of days you wish; if you register for four days, your fifth day is free. Don't forget that NAGT members receive $100 off registration. Refer your colleagues and friends to join NAGT so they too can receive this amazing discount!
JGE Editor Search: Application deadline extended to June 15
The search for the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) application deadline has been extended to June 15. The journal is in a growth phase, with submissions, citations, and downloads all increasing. The Editor-in-Chief provides the overarching vision for JGE while paying attention to the details involved in maintaining a high-quality peer-reviewed publication. This individual will continue to expand the stature, reach, and impact of the journal, be responsive to the needs and interests of NAGT and the geoscience education research communities, and stay abreast of changes in the dynamic landscape of scientific publishing. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the search chair in advance of the application deadline with any questions. Requests for additional information, including a proposal for how the duties of the Editor-in-Chief will be incorporated into the existing workload with support from the home institution, will be made to qualified applicants by June 15. The new Editor-in-Chief will assume responsibility for the journal beginning December 1, 2020. Questions? Contact the search committee chair, Margaret Crowder, margaret.crowder@wku.edu. Apply by June 15, 2020.
AGI/NAGT Lab Manual: 12th Edition now available; Free access to 11th Edition eText through July 30
12th Edition of the AGI/NAGT Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology Now in Print
The revised Lab Manual is now available for adoption for later Summer and Fall classes, and will be available as an eText by late May. Sales of the AGI/NAGT Lab Manual provide important financial support for the work of NAGT and the American Geosciences Institute. The Lab Manual is edited by long-time NAGT member Vince Cronin of Baylor University, and includes contributions from hundreds of NAGT members who have worked on this project over the years since its first edition was published in 1986. It was conceived and is maintained by geoscience educators and researchers for the benefit of students.The Lab Manual features many updates including:- New laboratory titled "Earth's Dynamic Climate," with six activities and four videos, giving students an opportunity to work with primary data concerning climate change today and for the past 800,000 years
- Heightened emphasis on Earth systems is found throughout the new edition
- 17 new or substantially revised activities throughout the Lab Manual, with more than 100 new high-resolution photographs, and new tables to facilitate identification of rocks and minerals
Pearson offers custom versions of the lab book, in which teachers select a subset of the 17 lab chapters to be packaged together for their students' use. In case you missed it, watch the recording of the NAGT webinar highlighting the 12th Edition. Teachers can request an examination copy and access to the revised Instructor's Manual by contacting their Pearson representative. You may also contact the editor directly at Vince_Cronin@baylor.edu for more information about the Lab Manual and how he uses it in his courses for both online and face-to-face teaching/learning.
Free 11th Edition eText Access Available through July 1
Pearson has made the eText version of the AGI/NAGT Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 11th edition, available for free until July 1, 2020. This widely used Lab Manual has been a joint venture of NAGT and AGI for more than three decades. To access this resource for you and your students, contact your Pearson representative for assistance. View additional resources from Pearson that you might find useful for online learning.
Traveling Workshops Program Update
NAGT's Traveling Workshops Program (TWP) brings national leaders in geoscience education to your campus or regional event. Designed for departments, institutions, or groups of institutions with shared interests, TWP offers workshops on strengthening cross-campus environmental and sustainability programs as well as supporting the success of all students. Applications are being accepted for the 2020-21 academic year; deadlines are listed below. Apply by June 15, 2020 to host a Fall 2020/Winter 2021 Workshop. Additional deadlines include:
- October 15, 2020 (for Winter/Spring 2021 Workshops)
- January 15, 2020 (for Summer 2021 Workshops)
- March 15, 2020 (for Fall 2021 Workshops)
Apply by May 15 for the Early Career Workshop
We are pleased to announce that NAGT's Early Career Workshop for Geoscience Faculty will be held as an online event this summer from July 27-30, 2020 (with an optional virtual visit to NSF on August 4-5). While we will miss the face-to-face interactions of the workshop, we are excited about the engaging and impactful online workshop that will maximize participation and provide a much-needed opportunity to share experiences with peers. The application deadline for the workshop has been extended. Apply by May 15, 2020.
Join the Community: SERC and NAGT's Resources for Teaching Online
SERC and NAGT's evolving set of resources continue to help with teaching online through a Collection of Activities and Materials for teaching geoscience online, Webinars and Virtual Events, as well as recordings of Past Events. We invite you to Join the Community! Sign up for our email list to share resources, discuss strategies, and ask questions about teaching online.
Register by July 13 for the Stay-In-Stitute for Climate Change Education Virtual Conference
The CLEAN Summer Institute will now be held as a Stay-In-Stitute virtual conference from July 20-24, 2020. This virtual conference will provide educators with the opportunity to: gain skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change concepts; empower students in all subject areas; and receive on-going support throughout the year. The conference is a collaboration between Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program, and NOAA Climate Program Office. Register by July 13, 2020.
Get Involved in NAGT!
NAGT offers an abundance of opportunities for new members and veteran members alike to get involved in a variety of activities and deepen your connection with the Association. Explore the ways to get involved, including leadership roles, committees, and more.
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has recognized NAGT Member Dr. Sharon Mosher, Professor and William Stamps Farish Chair in Geology at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), with the 2020 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal. Dr. Mosher has gained renown as a major contributor to the geological sciences through her research in tectonics, structural geology, and petrology, her work improving geoscience education, and her leadership within the geoscience community. She is well-known for her recent role as Dean of UT's Jackson School, where she faced the challenges of leading three independent units of geoscience as one successful school. Additionally, Dr. Mosher had the vision and accomplishment of leading the development GeoScienceWorld, an international journal aggregation for geologists and a nonprofit startup that has grown to be a substantial force in worldwide scientific digital access for universities and companies. Dr. Mosher has served in several society leadership roles, including President of AGI (2012-2013), President of the Geological Society of America (GSA) (2000-2001), and Chair of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (2004). Her awards include the Association of Women Geologists Outstanding Educator Award (1990), the GSA Distinguished Service Award (2003), and the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Liberal Arts College (2016). The Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal is a lifetime achievement award, given in recognition of an individual's high-quality basic and applied science achievements in the Earth sciences. Dr. Marcus Milling was an ardent and tireless champion of geoscience education, policy, and information services who served as AGI's Executive Director from 1992 until July of 2006, when he transitioned to a Senior Advisor role.
Do you have good news related to your geoscience education work that you would like to share with your NAGT Community? Would you like to call attention to a presentation or resource you developed or helped develop to share with your fellow Earth educators? Submit to NAGT's Community Kudos!
October 11-13, 2020: Workshop: Teaching Computation Online with MATLAB. This 3-day workshop will be held at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. The workshop will bring together educators teaching quantitative thinking and computational skills who are interested in strengthening their courses, teaching materials, and student uptake with programming, with a particular focus on transitioning courses to partially or fully online. Working with faculty peers and MATLAB experts, workshop participants will develop MATLAB related curriculum while sharing strategies, tools, and challenges teaching computational courses in the new virtual and distance learning reality. NOTE: Conveners are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will make adjustments to the workshop plan as needed. Accepted and registered participants will be notified of any changes to workshop plans. See the workshop overview for more information. Apply by June 15, 2020.
Upcoming Rendezvous Deadlines
Activity Review Camp Applications
- Apply to take part in a one-day "Review Camp" to help peer review the collections of submitted teaching activities from Teach the Earth and NAGT sponsored programs. Those selected will receive a stipend on completing the assigned work. The application to be an activity reviewer has been extended to May 25, 2020.
Stipend Applications
- The Preparing for an Academic Career Workshop is designed specifically for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and others who are interested in pursuing academic careers in the geosciences. Apply by June 1, 2020.
Beginning May 15: Stout, OEST, Outstanding TA, Christman Awards
Celebrate your colleagues and students by nominating them for an NAGT award!
- Nominations due May 15, 2020:
- Dorothy Lalonde Stout Professional Development Grants are given to faculty and students at two-year colleges and K-12 teachers.
- 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.
- Nominations due June 15, 2020:
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards are presented to outstanding teaching assistants in geoscience education, with up to 30 awards given annually. Both undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants are eligible for the award.
- Nominations accepted on an ongoing basis:
- Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided long, distinguished service to NAGT at the national and/or section level.
June 15: JGE Editor-in-Chief Applications
NAGT seeks new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE). The new Editor-in-Chief will assume responsibility for the journal beginning December 1, 2020. Questions? Contact the search committee chair, Margaret Crowder, margaret.crowder@wku.edu. Apply by June 15, 2020.
June 15: MATLAB Workshop Applications
Workshop: Teaching Computation Online with MATLAB. This 3-day workshop will be held at Carleton College in Northfield, MN from October 11-13. NOTE: Conveners are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will make adjustments to the workshop plan as needed. Accepted and registered participants will be notified of any changes to workshop plans. See the workshop overview for more information. Apply by June 15, 2020.
Career Hub: Ongoing
The NAGT Career Hub allows institutions and organizations to advertise geoscience education related job openings, postdoctoral positions, internships, assistantships, and undergraduate research opportunities. All Career Hub postings are also featured in the NAGTNews e-newsletter and on NAGT's social media. Learn more about posting your opportunity to Career Hub.
GER Division
The nominations deadline for the GER Transformation and Collaborations Awards has been extended to June 15, 2020! 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, etc.) who have infused the GER community with new ideas. Find out more about both awards and make your nominations by June 15, 2020 for both the Transformation and Collaboration Awards. NAGT-GER provides monthly updates on professional opportunities, funding, articles of note, researcher profiles, and other content of interest to our membership. Please consider contributing items of interest for inclusion in future editions of the Exchange!
New England Section
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell Climate Change Initiative in conjunction with the National Science Foundation offers a professional development webinar for K-12 teachers of all disciplines. Incorporating Climate Change into the Classroom (2020) will be held July 7 - 8, 2020. The webinar will feature speakers from fine arts and design, plastics engineering, political science, sociology, health sciences, environmental, earth, and atmospheric sciences. The webinar is free, but registration is required. To register, contact Lori Weeden at lori_weeden@uml.edu.
Geo2YC Division
Do you have stories, experiences, experiments, photos, or awards that you'd like to share in the next issue of the Geo2YC Foundations news? Email Editor Suki Smaglik at sukismaglik@gmail.com by June 1, 2020.
TED Division
Do you have news items for the TED Newsletter? Send news, photos, and updates to: suzanne.metlay@wgu.edu. Post time-critical info on the TED Facebook page.
Eastern Section
NAGT's Eastern Section has cancelled its June 2020 Meeting that was to be held at West Chester University, Pennsylvania. Visit the Eastern Section website for more information.
Pacific Northwest Section
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Section 2020 Annual Conference originally scheduled to be held June 16-19, 2020 has been cancelled. The section is currently exploring hosting either a virtual conference or a series of virtual meetings. For more information, contact conference organizer Philip Schmitz, pschmitz@bluecc.edu.
Register Today for Summer River Education, Public Lands, LNT, and Civic Engagement Courses
Wild Rose Education is excited to offer virtual educator workshops again this summer! Workshops include content for environmental, science, and social studies educators as well as outdoor educators, and anyone else who is interested in joining in. All courses will be offered in a virtual hybrid format with both synchronous and asynchronous components, allowing participants to participate from wherever they happen to live in an engaging way. Workshops are listed below; view workshop details through this workshop flier, or visit Wild Rose Education Workshops.
- River Ecology and Geography, June - July, 2020
- Public Lands of the United States: Designations, History, and Today, June - July, 2020
- Leave No Trace Trainer Course for Educators, July 20-21, 2020
- Youth Community Civic Action Process Educator Workshop, July 27-August 7, 2020
International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) to be Held Online
The eighth annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) will be held September 21-22, 2020 in a completely virtual format to foster broad participation. The theme is Cross-Cutting Solutions for the Decade of Action. This conference aims to bring together persons involved in research, policy, practice, and business. Participants will share practical solutions for achieving the SDGs at local and national levels. View additional event information. The conference is organized by the Global Association of Master's in Development Practice Programs (MDP) in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
YouTube Series Every Rock Has a Story Engages Kids of All Ages
This YouTube series presents videos designed for kids in grades K-4, however they are fun and appropriate for all ages! Each 5-10 minute video tells the story of a different rock. The videos are designed to help kids, parents, and teachers explore, draw, and learn about rocks and the earth. New videos will be posted to the series' YouTube channel each weekday until late June. The goal of this series is to add a little something to each day to make learning fun, exciting, and easier for our children during this time.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor position for the 2020-21 academic year beginning September 1, 2020. The department seeks candidates who are committed to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students using inclusive and engaging practices and have the breadth and flexibility to meet the needs of our students and Geosciences program. Teaching responsibilities include an upper-division course in hydrogeology, an introductory general education course, and a freshman inquiry seminar. In addition, mentoring of senior Capstone projects is expected.
Doctoral Assistantship in Water Education
Applications are invited for a 12-month (renewable) doctoral assistantship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the flagship, land-grant institution in the state of Nebraska. The graduate student would join a collaborative team of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers led by Dr. Cory Forbes in the UNL School of Natural Resources. The successful applicant will also be part of a dynamic and growing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), FANH (food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences), and discipline-based education research (DBER) community at UNL.
Need help getting the word out about your position opening, event, or field trip? Submit your posting to the NAGT Career Hub!
Available Samples
Ophiolite, Tertiary sedimentary, misc metamorphic
Desired Specimens
Precambrian chert. Stromatolites
Are you looking for new specimens for your collection? Do you have extra samples to share with colleagues? Post in the Rock and Mineral Exchange.
