Renew your Membership Today

Membership matters! Your membership dues supports NAGT's programming and staff, enabling us to meet our mission and goals.

Renew today and enjoy uninterrupted access to In The Trenches, the Journal of Geoscience Education, and this newsletter. Connect with others in your regional Sections and in topical Divisions. Access discounted professional development. Take advantage of leadership opportunities and eligibility for awards, grants, and scholarships!

Renew Today!

Support Earth Education for All with a Donation to NAGT

Help us celebrate NAGT's 87th year with a donation! You can donate at any time and in any amount. Or, celebrate GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. On December 3, 2024, show your generosity by helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes like NAGT.

Thank you for supporting NAGT!

NAGT at the AGU Fall Meeting 2024

December 9-13, 2024 Washington, D.C.

NAGT is pleased to sponsor a variety of geoscience education sessions planned for the Fall 2024 AGU meeting. Be sure to visit our friends from the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College. They will have NAGT materials on hand. The booth in the exhibit hall is a great place to meet up and connect with other Earth educators, so be sure to stop by! You can find SERC at booth #1015.

Learn more about AGU24

Draft NAGT Position Statements Open for Comment

The Advocacy Committee invites NAGT members to comment on two draft position statements:

Responsibility to Teach Earth Sciences

NAGT affirms the importance and value of academic freedom in the Earth sciences classroom.

The Value of Undergraduate Geoscience Courses and Programs

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) holds that geoscience skills and knowledge are indispensable for individuals and communities to address complex socioscientific issues

Nominate yourself or your colleagues for an NAGT committee

Much of NAGT's work is accomplished through the work of members who volunteer their time and effort on our committees. Many of the committees are seeking new members to help to guide the work of our organization. For more information about each committee and to nominate yourself or a colleague, please visit NAGT's Get Involved in NAGT Leadership web page.

Nominate Yourself or a Colleague Now!

In The Trenches

Contribute your original content to the new In the Trenches (ITT). ITT provides 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 will be 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. Access to the articles and interactive discussions is a benefit of your membership in NAGT. Sign up to receive updates as new articles are released and browse by categories.

Suggest ITT ContentSubmit an Article

Journal of Geoscience Education

Article of the Month

Each month, the editorial staff of JGE select a paper to be free to access. For November 2024, they selected Student and public perceptions of stormwater runoff and its impact on public health in a Southern California coastal community by Julia Comenech and Renee Clary published online July 8, 2024. Congratulations authors!

The Journal of Geoscience Education is always looking for submissions related to learning and teaching in the geosciences and related domains.

Submit a paper to JGE

The Geological Mind: A joint effort between NAGT and GSA Today

GSA Today is featuring a year-long series of essays co-authored by 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. In the November issue of GSA Today, you can find the most recent essay, Siccar Point, Scotland, and the Role of Mental Models.

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.

November's Teach the Earth Featured Resource -- Justice, Power, and Activism: What the Goldman Environmental Prize winners teach us about resilience and democracy

The Goldman Environmental Prize has recognized grassroots environmental leaders "for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk". This activity is a linked set of student-centered exercises that enables students to learn more about Goldman Environmental Prize winners and the courageous activism that grounds their work. Students explore a range of environmental conflicts worldwide and inquire into their political, social, and cultural contexts.

Earth Educators' Rendezvous 2026

Save the date for the 2026 Earth Educators' Rendezvous, which will be held at the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, SC, July 20-24, 2026. Co-chaired by Barbra Sobhani and Alix Davatzes, with local host Katherine Ryker, the Rendezvous will continue to feature highly interactive workshops, roundtables, field trips, and more. The contributed program, co-chaired by Annie Klyce and Ginny Isava, will include talks, posters, and an opportunity to share your teaching activities. Keep an eye out for additional information and the opportunity to submit session and workshop proposals soon!

Sponsor EER26 Exhibit at EER26

Join the EER Email list to stay in the loop!

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!

Get Your Code Today!

Welcome to the New NAGT Officers

NAGT officer transitions take place during the annual Geological Society of America meeting, which took place in October. Welcome to the newly elected officers, including NAGT President, Rory McFadden ; 1st Vice-President, Katherine Ryker; 2nd Vice-President, Lynsey LeMay Past-President, Reginald Archer; and new Councilors-at-Large Brendan Hanger and Sean Tvelia. Thank you to all who serve in NAGT leadership and on committees!

Nominate an Outstanding Teaching Assistant

NAGT recognizes outstanding teaching assistants in geoscience education with up to 30 awards 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 the In The Trenches quarterly online magazine. Please consider nominating your top teaching assistants. The process is not cumbersome and means a great deal to the recipients. For any questions, please contact Katherine Ryker, kryker@seoe.sc.edu. The next deadline to nominate students is December 15, 2024.

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 is co-sponsoring sessions at AGU24

Check out the Earth education sessions that NAGT is co-sponsoring at AGU24 in Washington, D.C. December 9-13, 2024. There is something for everyone!

• ED003 - Arctic Education & Outreach - Effective ways of engaging diverse learners in Arctic science
• ED008 - Climate Empowerment: Climate Education Initiatives
• ED009 - Climate Empowerment: Simulations & Gamification of Climate Education
• ED010 - Climate Empowerment: Supporting Youth's Climate Mental Health
• ED013 - Education Research in the Earth and Space Sciences: Theoretical Foundations, Methods, and Results
• ED021 - How Geoscience Education is Shifting to Support Gen Z in a Post-pandemic World
• ED024 - Increasing the Geoscience Career Pipeline/Watershed Flow from K-12 to Adult.Sharing practices that lead to more Geoscientists
• GC032 - Anthropocene Science: What Next?
• PP039 - Results from Scientific Ocean Drilling: The Interdisciplinary Legacy of the JOIDES Resolution
• U009 - Fieldwork and Field Safety: Assessments, Advances, Insights

Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) Virtual Share-a-thon

Online - November 16, 2024, 11 AM - 1 PM Pacific | 12 PM - 2 PM Mountain | 1 PM - 3 PM Central | 2 PM - 4 PM Eastern

The Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) Virtual Share-a-thon is an exciting event designed for K-12 educators. Past OEST award winners will present innovative curricula, programs, and activities they have developed or successfully implemented in their educational settings. This event offers a unique opportunity for educators to gain insights and practical tools directly from award-winning teachers. Attendees will receive comprehensive resources, enabling them to adapt and integrate these proven strategies into their own classrooms or educational contexts. Whether you're looking to enhance your Earth Science curriculum or seeking fresh, engaging activities for your students, the OEST Virtual Share-a-thon promises to provide valuable, actionable ideas to elevate your teaching practice.

Register before November 16

Opportunities for Students in the Earth Sciences

Online - Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 1 PM Pacific | 2 PM Mountain | 3 PM Central | 4 PM Eastern

Presenters Kelsey Russo-Nixon and Gillian Haberli of EarthScope Consortium and Shannon Fasola of Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT), University of Oregon will give an overview of a wide variety of summer and academic year opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students in Earth science and related disciplines -- from summer internships and year-long research fellowships to field and technical short courses. Students can gain experience in research and real-world, as well as science and career skill development. Possible topics include geohazards, geophysics, field work, engineering, data science and more. Undergrad and grad student opportunities with EarthScope Consortium and Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) will be particularly highlighted, but opportunities from other Earth science organizations will be featured, too.

Learn more and Register

Register now for Facilitating Effective Group Projects in Geoscience Courses Workshop

Online - Wednesdays, January 22, January 29, and February 5, 2025

Join our upcoming workshop and discover strategies to make course-based group projects a powerful tool for skill-building! Through discussions and hands-on activities, you'll learn to structure, facilitate, and assess group projects effectively. Each session provides practical tools to help you set up groups, keep them on track, and manage conflict, ensuring a meaningful experience for your students. Sessions take place online on Wednesdays: January 22, January 29, and February 5, 2025. Register by January 15 to secure your spot!

Register Now!

Register now for Course Design 2025 Workshop!

Online - Wednesdays, June 4, 11, and 18, 2025

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—register by May 28 to secure your spot!

Register Now!

Early Career Geoscience Faculty Workshop

In-person - June 22-26, 2025, with an optional virtual visit to NSF June 27

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.

Learn more about the workshop

Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences Workshop

Online - August 4-8, 2025, exact dates and times to be decided

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 details coming soon!

Traveling Workshops: Bring Our Experienced Leaders to You

Requests accepted anytime

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 April's In the Trenches and in AGU's June 2024 Eos.

Request a Traveling Workshop

Geo2YC Division

Voting Open: 2YC OAFA Yearly Winner

It's time to vote for this year's NAGT Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award (OAFA) Winner from our 2-Year-College Division! It's been a phenomenal year of outstanding faculty, and we are excited to celebrate our adjuncts one more time. Please join us in celebrating our OAFA quarterly winners and vote for who you wish to see be our annual winner. The NAGT 2YC OAFA Annual Awardee receives a $1000 stipend from McGraw-Hill Publishing to be used for professional development or classroom support. Click on the link to learn more about our quarterly award winners from this year and select one to be our annual awardee. The link will remain live until Monday, December 9th.

Vote for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award!

Geo2YC is looking for Volunteers

Come be part of the NAGT-Geo2YC community! The Geo2YC Division is looking for volunteers to serve on our Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award committee. Committee members are responsible for reviewing nominations on a quarterly basis, 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 a year 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.

Join Geo2YC

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.

Join GER

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. Find us on Facebook!

Join TED

Reclaiming Our Planet by NAGT member Alex Gates

Reclaiming our Planet by A.E. Gates is a book on Climate Change suitable for introductory to advanced college courses and advanced high school courses. It examines the current state of climate change and its impacts on society in a non-political approach. It also examines the current tools being used to battle climate change and the other possible tools including the pros and cons of each. What makes this book different is that it regards CO2 as a pollutant and recounts previous successful approaches to serious pollutants as a template to resolve climate change. Finally, it places climate change in a geologic perspective and evaluates the climate predictions through the 21^st century. The book includes numerous case studies of some of the most notorious pollution disasters and how environmental champions worked to defeat pollution threats. Use code RLFANDF30 for a 30% discount at Rowman & Littlefield Publishing.

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!

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.

C-ChanGe Seeks First Cohort of Faculty Change Agents

The Cultural Change in Geoscience (C-ChanGe) project is seeking faculty members interested in working together to make impactful change for geoscience inclusion and equity, and to become part of a national community of practice dedicated to creating positive cultural change in their departments and the discipline. We are looking for teams of three from geoscience or closely related departments to become the first cohort of Change Agents in the program. Selected teams will work together in leadership and professional development activities through virtual and face-to-face formats and connect with a network of thought leaders while sharing their learning with their home departments. Stipends are available for participants.

For more information and to apply to be a part of the program, see the Call for Participation on the C-ChanGe website. Application deadline is November 22, 2024.

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.
This survey study is being conducted to:

• Better understand the landscape of STEM (e.g., biology, ecology, geology, environmental studies, etc) and Outdoor Experiential Education and Recreation Program (academic and co-curricular) field activities
• Identify the current extent to which university STEM and Outdoor Experiential Education and/or Recreation programs are already collaborating across the higher education landscape in the United States,
• Identify potential opportunities and barriers to developing such collaborators, and
• Identify potential stakeholders (like you?) who would be interested in working further to develop such collaborations at their local institution(s).

Please share with anyone or group lists that you feel might be interested!

Assistant Teaching Professor - Geospatial Teaching and Analyses - Boise State University

Clemson University Seeks an Assistant Professor in Earth Sciences

Geoscience Teaching Assistant Professor - University of Alabama

Grand Valley State University Seeks a Professor of Geology (Open Rank)

Assistant Professor for Geology at Grand Valley State University

Teaching Assistant Professor of Sustainability at West Virginia University

Assistant Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences and Physics at Bates College

Assistant Professor of Critical Minerals Geology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Available Samples

• Petrology Samples
• Ophiolite, Tertiary sedimentary, misc. metamorphic

Desired Specimens

• A small rural school needs a classroom rock and mineral collection
• Science Department Head/Earth Science Teacher
• Deformation Microstructures
• #50States50Rocks
• Precambrian chert. Stromatolites

Post in the Rock and Mineral Exchange