Thank you Members!
Membership matters. The opportunities for faculty, students, and K-12 teachers presented in this issue of NAGTNews are made possible by member dues, efforts, and donations. We thank our members for supporting NAGT's efforts to improve geoscience education for everyone. Learn more about membership benefits.
As an independent, small non-profit organization funded primarily by member contributions, NAGT's programming will continue to align with our mission, because we are committed to growing our efforts to make geoscience just, equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. If you want to learn more about what you and your membership can do to make a difference, we encourage you to get involved by joining a committee, gifting a membership, or donating. Read on to learn about leadership opportunities.
Get Involved in NAGT Leadership - Nominate Today
Nominations are open for Executive Committee, Section, and Division leadership positions. Learn about NAGT's leadership team and nominate yourself or a colleague who might be looking for ways to impact geoscience education, education advocacy, diversity and inclusion in the geosciences, GER, regional geoscience education, and more. A leadership role in an NAGT committee, Division, or Section is a great next step! To nominate for Section or Division positions, contact the leaders of Sections or Divisions.
At the National level, nominations are open for 2nd Vice-President and two Councilors-at-Large and are due March 14. Questions about national positions can be directed to the chair of the nominations committee, Past-President Reginald Archer, rarcher@tnstate.edu. Elections occur in June and terms begin at the NAGT Annual Council Meeting in October 2025. Self-nominations are welcome!
Learn MoreNational Nominations due March 14
Advocating for Earth Science
Call your Representatives and Senators in Congress. Calling is one of the most effective ways to interact with Congress because they know it takes time and effort. Calling provides the opportunity to express your support and/or concern about federal government policies and actions.
NAGT Position Statements
NAGT has taken on specific issues that involve the interface between science and society. You can see the complete list of position statements here. Two new position statements have been recently approved by NAGT leadership:
Journal of Geoscience Education
JGE seeks a new Editor-in-Chief
NAGT is seeking a new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Geoscience Education to begin serving in late fall, 2025. We are seeking someone who is interested in geoscience education research and broadening access to education research. Candidates should have high standards and a willingness to support editors and authors in meeting those standards.
Learn More Apply by May 1, 2025
Article of the Month
Each month, the editorial staff of JGE select a paper to be free to access. For March 2025, they selected Geo-STEM learning ecosystems: a transdisciplinary theory-based framework to establish and engage communities in the geosciences, by Cheryl L.B. Manning and Nicole D. LaDue, published online on May 16, 2024. Congratulations, authors!
The Journal of Geoscience Education is always looking for submissions related to learning and teaching in the geosciences and related domains.
The Geological Mind: A Joint Effort Between NAGT & GSA Today
In the March 2025 issue of GSA Today, Thomas F. Shipley and Basil Tikoff explore how human senses affect data collection in Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, and Human Perception.
"The Geological Mind" is a featured year-long series of essays co-authored by NAGT members Basil Tikoff, a structural geologist, and Tim Shipley, a cognitive scientist, and edited by Executive Director, Anne Egger. You may be familiar with Basil and Tim's work from the Spatial Thinking Workbook or their many other collaborative efforts to elucidate how geoscientists think.
Explore Exemplary Teach the Earth Activities 
Teach the Earth is a portal to thousands of resources from dozens of Earth Education websites. Managed by NAGT, this portal supports teaching and learning about the Earth by providing online resources for K-12 and undergraduate educators in the geosciences and related fields. Resources include classroom activities, course descriptions and syllabi, information about pedagogical strategies, topical collections, and more.
March's Teach the Earth Featured Resource: Eyes on the Hydrosphere
Designed for students new to the Earth sciences, this module introduces the water cycle by connecting it to real-world water challenges and measurement techniques. Students work with actual data from stream gauges and gravity satellites to find trends in precipitation and water storage. The complete module takes about 2-3 weeks and includes individual assignments, group activities, reading, reflection, and computer work. For the final project, students choose a region to study water resources.
In The Trenches
In the Trenches (ITT) provides NAGT members the chance to contribute and start a professional conversation about successful strategies you've used in your teaching, administration, mentoring, outreach, research, publishing, or any other venue that you think would be of interest to other NAGT members. Articles are published online as they are finished, and each article will include a threaded discussion board, providing the community with the opportunity to comment on the article, ask the author(s) questions, and interact with other NAGT members.
In the most recent ITT articles, Dr. James Ebert explores Geologists and Geologic Content in Genre Fiction. This two-part series examines how geology and geologists are portrayed in novels and highlights common threads. Join in the discussion about these articles!
Suggest ITT ContentSubmit an Article
Taylor & Francis Book Discount For NAGT Members!
As NAGT publishes with Taylor & Francis, members are entitled to a 30% books discount on any full-priced CRC Press or Routledge book. To acquire this discount and see other journals you have access to, visit your NAGT Member Homepage and select Journal Access. This is one of many of our membership perks!
It's Nomination Season! Take a look at all the different ways to recognize your and your colleagues' innovations and exceptional contributions.
Association Awards
Nomination Deadline: April 15
Association awards are presented annually with nominations solicited from the community and awardees selected by committees. These awards include the following:
- Distinguished Service: Robert Christman Award
- Stimulation of Interest in the Earth Sciences: Neil Miner Award
- Excellence in Earth Science Writing and Editing: James H. Shea Award
- Excellence in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: JEDI Award
Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) Awards
Nomination Deadline: June 15
The Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) is the premier peer-reviewed publication for geoscience education research and curriculum and instruction at the undergraduate and pre-college levels. JGE is an international forum dedicated to the publication of research concerning the pedagogy, assessment, and philosophy of teaching and learning about the geosciences. JGE awards are presented annually with nominations solicited from JGE readers, authors, and editors. These awards include the Outstanding Paper Award & the Outstanding Reviewer Award.
More Information on JGE Awards
Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Awards
Nomination Deadline: June 15
The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students for their work as teaching assistants. Up to 30 awards are given annually. Both undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants are eligible for the award. Award winners receive a one-year membership in NAGT, which includes an online subscription to the Journal of Geoscience Education and our In The Trenches online magazine. The undergraduate student awards are the gift of Thomas Hendrix, Grand Valley State University. Tom was the recipient of the 1994 Neil Miner award and he also served as President of NAGT as editor of the Journal of Geoscience Education. The graduate student awards are funded by NAGT.
More Information on Outstanding TA Awards
Dorothy Stout Grant
Dorothy Stout Grant Proposal Applications are due April 15
In honor of NAGT's first female president, Dorothy Stout gives out grants to support participation in Earth science classes or workshops, attendance at professional scientific or science education meetings, participation in Earth science field trips, and the purchase of Earth science materials for classroom use.
Grants of $750 will be made annually in three categories: Community College Faculty, Community College Student, and K-12 Educator. Grantees will also be given a one-year membership to NAGT, including these member benefits.
NAGT-TED's Earth Science Teacher Leader Award
Nomination Deadline: April 1
NAGT's Teacher Education Division has developed ten criteria to encourage and support K-12 educators to move from the role of teacher to that of teacher leader. This competitive annual award honors teachers who satisfy leadership criteria, recognizing them as Earth Science Teacher Leaders.
Do you have good news related to your geoscience education work that you would like to share with the NAGT community? Submit it to NAGT's Community Kudos!
NAGT Webinars are on YouTube!
Did you miss a webinar hosted by NAGT? Check out the NEW NAGT Webinar Series YouTube Channel! Find a selection of recordings from webinars in the series and sponsored projects at your fingertips. Remember to subscribe!
Apply Now! for the Early Career Geoscience Faculty Workshop
In-Person - June 22-26, 2025, with an optional virtual visit to NSF June 27
Application Deadline: March 16! Faculty in the first three years of their position are invited to join this multi-day workshop that features sessions on topics including effective and engaging teaching strategies, designing a course, conducting research projects with students, balancing professional and personal responsibilities, managing time, and establishing a research program. Build your network and community of early career peers.
Spring 2025 CLEAN Webinar Series
The Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) and the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) are partnering to bring together climate researchers, K-12 educators, and climate literacy resources to build a community of leaders to collaborate in a webinar series in March and April. Each session will be 90 minutes and will include nationally renowned climate expert guest speakers, an introduction to climate literacy, standard-aligned teaching resource collections, and collaborative time to explore the resources. Registration required. Upcoming topics include:
- The State of Climate Science in the United States, with Dr. Rajul Pandya, Wednesday, March 19 at 5:00-6:30 PM PT/6:00-7:30 PM MT/7:00-8:30 PM CT/8:00-9:30 PM ET
- Climate Adaptation & Mitigation, with artist Xavier Cortada and STEAM enthusiast Adam Roberti, Tuesday, April 1 at 5:00-6:30 PM PT/6:00-7:30 PM MT/7:00-8:30 PM CT/8:00-9:30 PM ET
- Hope and Transformative Climate Action, with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Monday, April 14 at 5:00-6:30 PM PT/6:00-7:30 PM MT/7:00-8:30 PM CT/8:00-9:30 PM ET
Workshop: Course Design 2025
Online - Wednesdays, June 4, 11, and 18, 2025
A highly interactive synchronous online workshop in three sessions! Ready to level up your course design? Join our interactive 3-part workshop to align assessments with your course goals and connect with peers for feedback and support. Register by May 28! Get ready to design or redesign your course with our interactive Course Design Workshop! Using backward design principles, this 3-part online workshop helps you create assessments and activities that align with your course goals. Join us for hands-on sessions on June 4, 11, and 18, 2025, where you'll explore best practices, collaborate with colleagues, and receive valuable feedback to refine your course plan. Open to educators at all stages.
Workshop: The Math your Earth Science Majors Need
Online - Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 1-3pm ET | 12-2pm CT |11am-1pm MT | 10am-noon PT
Quantitatively skilled Earth science graduates are critical to meeting the needs of the workforce and the country. This virtual workshop will introduce Earth science instructors to co-curricular math and statistics modules and work with instructors to develop implementation plans for using the materials during the 2025-26 academic year.
Workshop: Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences
Online - August 4-8, 2025, from 11am-2pm ET | 10am-1pm CT | 9am-12pm MT | 8am-11am PT each day
A highly interactive week-long synchronous online workshop! This online workshop is designed specifically for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and others interested in pursuing academic careers in the geosciences. Workshop facilitators will lead sessions and provide guidance that will help participants become stronger candidates for academic positions and succeed in academic jobs. More information will be coming soon!
Traveling Workshops: Bring Our Experienced Leaders to You
The Traveling Workshops Program (TWP) brings NAGT's professional development program to you, working with you to customize a workshop to meet your group's needs. The TWP has well-tested workshop sessions on adapting to change, (re)designing your courses and curriculum, inclusive mentoring, supporting all students, and more. Are you preparing for a program review or responding to feedback from one? Have you seen changes in the faculty in your department through new hires or retirements? Do you feel you could do a better job serving your students? We can help you! Choose your workshop or learn more about the program.
Learn more about the history of the Traveling Workshop Program in the April 2024 In the Trenches and the June 2024 AGU's Eos.
Learn about your Regional Section
NAGT Regional Sections are the grassroots of geoscience education in North America. The 2023 reorganization of Sections focused members' efforts on regional issues. If you haven't connected with your section leadership, we encourage you to do so! Check out the Regional Section Webpages to learn more about your Section and efforts to engage and support geoscience education in your region.
NAGT-NE Celebrates Jurassic Armored Mud Balls
Many states have official fossils, but Massachusetts may become the first to designate a non-fossil sedimentary structure. Jurassic armored mud balls "JAMBs" are rare sedimentary structures seen in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts legislature is considering this 2025-2026 Session. Please help spread the word about the rare and photogenic JAMBs and encourage student involvement.
NAGT-PNW Section Annual Conference
The Pacific Northwest Section Annual Conference will be held June 26-28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. Join us in Portland Oregon to meet colleagues from around the Pacific Northwest, share teaching techniques, and explore some amazing geology! The conference is being held in parallel with the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center annual stakeholders meeting.
NAGT-RM at 2025 GSA-Rocky Mountain Section Meeting
Rocky Mountain Section of NAGT will be at the 75th Annual Rocky Mountain Section meeting in Provo, Utah May 18-20, 2025. FInd us at our booth or poster!
Geo2YC Division
Looking for financial support for your ideas? Two grant options via NAGT for 2YC educators to support your teaching and professional development are the Dorothy Stout Grant and the Geo2YC Faculty Development Grant. See the Geo2YC website for further information. Applications are due for both on April 15.
The Geo2YC Division is looking for volunteers to serve on our Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award committee. Committee members are responsible for reviewing nominations quarterly, communicating with awardees, and preparing a short write-up about the awardees for the quarterly Geo2YC newsletter, Foundations.
We are also looking for a volunteer to support the efforts of the NAGT webinar committee. This committee meets virtually several times yearly to plan and recruit for the NAGT webinar series. Having a 2YC voice on the committee helps to ensure topics of interest to our community are included in the webinar offerings. If interested in these positions, email Karen Layou (Geo2YC newsletter editor) at klayou@reynolds.edu for more info.
Geoscience Education Research (GER) Division
The Geoscience Education Research Division (GER) is committed to the promotion of high-quality, scholarly research in geoscience education that improves teaching and learning in K-12, higher education, and informal learning environments.
GER is seeking nominations for Early Career, Collaboration & Growth (mid-career), and Transformation (advanced career) Awards. Learn more about these Division Awards and nominate a colleague today.
Teacher Education (TED) Division
The NAGT Teacher Education Division (TED) seeks to improve geoscience teaching by improving teacher content and pedagogical knowledge and by encouraging research on best teaching practices. TED is in search of a new Media Director! We have a great leadership team. Do you want to know what we've been up to? Do you want to inform how the Teacher Education Division supports you, as members of NAGT and TED? Find us on Facebook!
NAGT TED encourages and seeks to support K-12 Earth Science Teacher Leaders. If you know someone who is becoming or has become a teacher leader, nominate them for the NAGT-TED's Earth Science Teacher Leader Award by April 1.
Contribute content to NAGTNews todayShare photos from an NAGT event
AGU Bridge Program Student Applications Open Now
Interested in Graduate School? Apply through the AGU Bridge Program! The AGU Bridge Program offers one, free application to be considered by 45+ graduate geoscience departments. Applications open annually in December and close in March. Students identifying as Hispanic, Black/African American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through March 18. Learn more at agu.org/bridge-program.
New Geoscience Education Research Monthly Knowledge Exchange Series
Are you interested in enhancing your research design and methodology skills in an informal, collaborative setting? Join the AGU Geoscience Education Research Working Group for informal monthly meet-ups to share resources and experiences with specific DBER methods or tools (like the NAGT 2YC Fireside Chats). The GER Monthly Knowledge Exchange is here to help!
This series is a casual, interactive Zoom gathering held monthly where members of the GER community can (1) share resources, ideas, and experiences on a specific topic, (2) ask questions and get input from peers without the pressure of formal presentations, and (3) build collective capacity while reducing stress and preparation burdens. No prep is required, just bring your curiosity and insights to share! Real-time collaboration and a shared notes/resource list will be compiled during the meeting. Stress-free participation, meetings are not recorded, encouraging open discussion. Stay connected, build skills, and share knowledge with fellow researchers.
March TOPIC: Ways in which AI is being used to conduct research (e.g., writing codes for r) or manage research-related tasks
Thursday, March 20th, 9:30 -10:30am PT. Join through this Teams Meeting Link.
Accepting Nominations: The Raymond M. Alf Award for Excellence in Paleontological Research & Education
Nominate yourself or a colleague for this award recognizing K-12 educators who have also advanced the science of paleontology. The Alf Award honors a paleontologist who exhibits excellence both in original scientific research as well as in education and outreach at the K–12 levels. Nominations are due by April 9, 2025.
ADVANCEing FieldSafety Training Program Launch
ADVANCEing FieldSafety is excited to share the official launch of the ADVANCEing FieldSafety training program! The training program was developed to help the field-going community in creating and building safe and welcoming field environments. The training program consists of an asynchronous online course, a virtually facilitated debrief workshop, and an accompanying toolkit full of resources and templates for you and your team to use in the field. Visit our website to learn more and sign up for the ADVANCING FieldSafety online course, the synchronous debrief workshop, and check out our toolkit to support field teams in planning welcoming, inclusive, and safe field campaigns.
Survey Exploring Connections Between University Field STEM & Outdoor Programming
If you are a university STEM instructor interested in field education OR if you are involved in outdoor experiential education (academic, co-curricular, private sector) and you have questions that keep you up at night, please consider completing this survey. It should take 15 minutes or less. Please share with anyone or group lists that you feel might be interested!
University of Pittsburgh - Teaching Assistant Professor and Environmental Studies Program Coordinator
Application review begins March 15, 2025
Bucknell University - Visiting Assistant Professor of Geology & Environmental Geosciences
Application review begins March 24, 2025
Central Michigan University - Geosciences Lecturer
Application review begins April 1, 2025
Case Western Reserve University - Instructor in Environmental Earth Sciences
Closes March 28, 2025
University of Kentucky - Lecturer in Earth & Environmental Sciences
Application review begins April 1, 2025
Clemson University - Assistant Professor in Earth Sciences
Open until filled
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