In This Issue
News & Announcements
- NAGT Announces New Executive Director
- NAGT Bylaws Update
- Results of the 2019 NAGT Officer Elections
- Award Winners Celebrated at GSA
- Heather's Day at GSA
- Thank You to our NAGT Booth Volunteers at GSA
- Nominate Outstanding Teaching Assistants
- Renew Your NAGT Membership for 2020
- Receive NAGT Member Discount on "Timefulness," the new publication by Dr. Marcia Bjornerud
- Exclusive NAGT Member Discount on Select Taylor & Francis Titles
- Limited-time Free Access to JGE Outstanding Paper and Key Article on Mineralogy Concept Inventory
- Have an Idea for 2021 Rendezvous Location or Thinking of Hosting?
- Exhibit at 2020 Earth Educators' Rendezvous
- Earth and Space Instructional Materials for NGSS
- AGU Fall 2019 Meeting Updates
Upcoming Webinars and Workshops
- Upcoming Webinars in the NAGT Webinar Series
- Apply to Host a Traveling Workshop and Strengthen Your Courses, Program, or Department
- Save the Date for the 2020 Early Career Workshop
Deadlines
- Register by November 1 for the AGU Heads and Chairs Workshop
- Apply by November 15 for the NAGT-sponsored Short Course at AGU: Using Geophysics Data to Teach About Flooding, Landslides, and Climate Change in Undergraduate Majors' Courses
- Nominate Candidates for American Geosciences Institute 2021 Officer Positions and 2020 Awards
Section and Division Highlights
NAGT Career Hub
Rock and Mineral Exchange
1. NAGT Announces New Executive Director
Dr. Anne Egger, current Editor-in-Chief of NAGT's Journal of Geoscience Education and a Past President of NAGT will serve as the next Executive Director of NAGT. Dr. Egger is an Associate Professor at Central Washington University with a joint appointment in Geological Sciences and Science Education. Dr. Cathy Manduca, who has served as Executive Director for the past 12 years will step down November 1. She will continue her work as Director of the Science Education Resource Center (SERC).
2. NAGT Bylaws Update
As required by NAGT Bylaws Article VI, the Executive Committee is providing notice of the proposed amendments to the bylaws and the required 60-day review and comment period commences with this notice on October 7, 2019.
The Executive Committee is asking for feedback from NAGT members on the proposed amendments based upon:
- NAGT's recently-adopted Ethics Policy and related conduct policy changes
- Constituting the Professional Development Committee into a standing committee
- Implementation of an annual meeting strategy designed to better support discussion
We encourage all NAGT members to comment on the proposed amendments. Comments should be directed to this link. All comments must be received by December 6, 2019.
3. Results of the 2019 NAGT Officer Elections
NAGT welcomed its newest elected officers at the 2019 GSA Annual Meeting, September 22-25 in Phoenix, AZ. Results of the elections can be found on the NAGT Association Officers page. Congratulations to all the newly elected officers and thank you for your time and commitment to NAGT!
4. Award Winners Celebrated at GSA
Winners of the 2019 NAGT, GSA, CEO-CUR, Totten, Stout, and JGE Education Division Awards were recognized during the NAGT, GSA Geoscience Education Division & CUR Luncheon and Awards Program at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ on September 24. This year's NAGT award winners include:
- The Neil Miner Award is given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences and who are outstanding teachers and was awarded to J Bret Bennington, Hofstra University.
- The James Shea Award is given to an individual for exceptional contributions in the form of writing or editing of Earth science materials that are of interest to the general public and/or teachers of Earth science and was awarded to Marcia Bjornerud, Lawrence University.
- The Biggs Award recognizes innovative and effective teaching in college-level earth science and was awarded to Sarah L. Sheffield, University of South Florida.
- The CUR Geosciences Division Undergraduate Mentor Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research mentoring and was awarded to David Gibson, University of Maine Farmington.
- The Iris Moreno Totten Professional Award recognizes outstanding research emerging from the geoscience education, geocognition, or related fields and was awarded to Cissy Ballen, Auburn University.
- The GEO Science Ed Division Award recognizes outstanding service to the Geoscience Education Division and was awarded to Chris Atchison, University of Cincinnati.
- The Dorothy LaLonde Stout Professional Development Awards are given in honor of Dottie Stout's outstanding work and lifelong dedication to Earth science education and were awarded to Hannah Miller, Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA; Sharon L. Karackattu, Oak Hall School, Gainesville, FL; Marissa Isaak Wald, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, NM.
- The Journal of Geoscience Education Awardsrecognize a reviewer and author who have made exceptional contributions to the journal. The JGE Outstanding Reviewer Award was given to Peggy McNeal, Towson University; the JGE Outstanding Paper Award was given to Benjamin A. Wolfe, University of Kansas.
- The Geo 2YC Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Awardrecognizes awards outstanding adjunct faculty at a 2-year institution and was awarded to Mariah Tilman, Chemeketa Community College.
- The Geoscience Education Research (GER) Division Transformation Awardrecognizes awardees for their outstanding contributions to GER. The 2019 award went to Cathryn Manduca, SERC Director, NAGT Executive Director. The 2018 award went to Julie Libarkin, Michigan State University.
- The Geoscience Education Research (GER) Division Collaboration Award honors non-GER colleagues (e.g. geophysicists, educational psychologists, education researchers, etc.) who infused the GER community with new approaches to GER. The 2018 award went to Tim Shipley, Temple University.
- 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. The winners of the 2019 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards can be found on the NAGT website.
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards are given to outstanding teaching assistants in geoscience education with up to 30 awards annually. This year's award winners can be found on the NAGT website.
Please join us in congratulating this year's award winners for their incredible efforts toward advancing Earth science education. Awards provide the community with the opportunity to recognize colleagues and students in a tangible way that communicates respect for their outstanding efforts and lets them know the work they've put into teaching substantially contributes to our organization's mission. Nomination forms are now open for next year. Nominate today!
5. Heather Macdonald Honored at GSA
The Geological Society of America devoted a large portion of its 2019 annual meeting to recognizing the contributions of William & Mary's Heather Macdonald. "Celebrating the Role of Heather Macdonald in Geoscience Education in Two-Year Colleges" occupied much of the September 23 schedule of events for its conference, held in Phoenix. Macdonald is Chancellor Professor in the William & Mary's Department of Geology. Cathryn A. Manduca, from the Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College, opened the morning session, setting the tone for the day by pointing out Macdonald's contributions to the development of programs supporting geosciences instruction at the undergraduate level. Manduca and Macdonald were among the originators of On the Cutting Edge, an initiative that began in 2002 to bring together web sites, workshops and research ideas to support faculty teaching earth sciences at the undergraduate level. The program, based at SERC, began in 2002 and has been supported by several million dollars in funding from the National Science Foundation. Macdonald, Manduca and the other "Cutting Edge" leaders were awarded the Science Prize for Online Resources by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2010. The full article about "Heather's Day" can be found here.
6. Thank You to our NAGT Booth Volunteers at GSA
A resounding 'thank you' to all of you who helped out at our NAGT booth at GSA! Your presence helped assist visitors at the booth and engage in robust conversations that highlighted specific areas for which NAGT can provide support. We were able to recruit many new NAGT members!
7. Nominate Outstanding Teaching Assistants
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 our In The Trenches quarterly magazine. The yearly membership starts January 1st of the upcoming year.
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. Nominations must be submitted by the department chair or faculty member coordinating teaching assistants. Nominate by December 15. Nominating letter should include:
- The name, address and class year of the nominee
- The name of the course or courses in which the student assisted
- A description of the activities and qualities that make this teaching assistant outstanding
NAGT - TA Award Nomination, c/o Carleton College/SERC, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057
8. Renew Your NAGT Membership for 2020
Renew now!With the new school year underway, it's time to renew your NAGT membership for 2020 and continue to receive outstanding Member Benefits! Know someone who is not yet an NAGT member? Recommend an NAGT membership to your colleagues and friends! Remind them that an NAGT membership means joining a diverse community of geoscientists and educators who support each other by sharing their expertise and common interests, and pursue common goals. New members may join here.
9. NAGT Members Receive Discount on "Timefulness," the new publication by Dr. Marcia Bjornerud
NAGT is proud to announce that Dr. Marcia Bjornerud of Lawrence University is the 2019 recipient of the NAGT James H. Shea Award. This prestigious award is given annually to individuals for exceptional contributions in the form of writing and/or editing of Earth science materials that are of interest to the general public and/or teachers of Earth science. Marcia is recognized for her numerous contributions to the New Yorker's science and technology blog "Elements" and for her award winning and highly praised books, Reading The Rocks; The Autobiography Of The Earth, and Timefulness: How Thinking Like A Geologist Can Help Save The World. To celebrate, Princeton University Press (PUP) is offering a 30% discount to NAGT members on the purchase of Bjornerud's book. To purchase Timefulness on the PUP website (press.princeton.edu), please enter discount code GTIME in the PUP shopping cart; discount offer expires December 31, 2019.
10. Exclusive NAGT Member Discount on Select Taylor & Francis Titles
Taylor and Francis, the publisher of NAGT's Journal of Geoscience Education, also publishes resource and academic texts under a number of imprints. As part of NAGT's partnership with this publisher, NAGT members are offered an exclusive 30 percent discount on a list of titles from now until December 31. The full list of discounted topical books, and instructions on the discount code at the top of the webpage, can be located using this member-only link.
11. Limited-time Free Access to JGE Outstanding Paper and Key Article on Mineralogy Concept Inventory
The Journal of Geoscience Education is pleased to provide limited-time free access to the following paper and article:
- Outstanding Paper winner for this year:
- Benjamin A. Wolfe (2018) Introductory geosciences at the two-year college: Factors that influence student transfer intent with geoscience degree aspirations, Journal of Geoscience Education, DOI: 10.1080/10899995.2018.1411740. Free access available through November 30, 2019.
- Article on Mineralogy Concept Inventory:
- Emily D. Scribner & Sara E. Harris (2019) The mineralogy concept inventory: A statistically validated assessment to measure learning gains in undergraduate mineralogy courses, Journal of Geoscience Education, DOI: 10.1080/10899995.2019.1662929. Free access available through December 31, 2019.
12. Have an Idea for 2021 Rendezvous Location or Thinking of Hosting?
We welcome your ideas! Hosting the Rendezvous is a great way to showcase your department, institution, and your geographical region. The Rendezvous bring the nation's leading Earth Educators to your school and opens up opportunities for your colleagues to participate. Please visit this site and submit your ideas.
13. Exhibit at 2020 Earth Educators' Rendezvous
We are delighted to continue to be able to offer exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their organization and materials at our upcoming Earth Educators' Rendezvous which will be held at Stanford University from July 13-17. Exhibitors will be located in a centralized space that will receive maximum visibility for Rendezvous attendees.
- Non-profit: $700
- Corporate: $900
- A six foot table and chair with linen
- Wi-fi access
- One full meeting registration
If you are thinking of something other than table space, please contact Caroline Smith at csmith3@carleton.edu. We will work with the Rendezvous co-conveners and planning committee to explore ideas for further enhancing your visibility at the meeting.
14. Earth and Space Instructional Materials for NGSS
Achieve, Inc. is broadening its reach to identify more high-quality materials designed for the Earth and space science instructional materials for the NGSS. Their review process will provide assistance with vetting materials. A description of the Achieve process and how to submit can be found here.
15. AGU Fall 2019 Meeting Updates
NAGT-sponsored Education Sessions and Activities at AGU Fall 2019 Meeting
NAGT is pleased to outline a variety of geoscience education sessions and activities planned for the Fall 2019 AGU Meeting held in San Francisco, CA, from December 9-13, 2019. Stop by the NAGT booth (#314) for the most up-to-date information on upcoming workshops, educational resources, and teaching activities. Better yet, consider volunteering in the booth. Volunteering provides a great opportunity to talk/distribute materials about NAGT, meet other geoscience educators, and get to know some of the NAGT staff.
Help Promote Diversity in Your Graduate Program
Become an AGU Bridge Program partner and help to increase the number of geosciences graduate degrees awarded to underrepresented minority students. AGU is seeking U.S. based institutions to join us in this endeavor. Learn more here. Interested faculty should apply by October 15.
1. Upcoming Webinars in the NAGT Webinar Series
Using GPS data to teach about the Earth in introductory undergraduate courses: plate tectonics, earthquakes, water cycle, and ice mass change
Presenters: Karen Kortz (Community College of Rhode Island) and Beth Pratt-Sitaula (UNAVCO)
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Time: 11:00 am PT | 12:00 pm MT | 1:00 pm CT | 2:00 pm ET
Learn to teach about plate tectonics, earthquake hazards, water cycle, and changing glacial ice using GPS data, while increasing students' math skills and ability to apply science to societal decisions. Register by October 20, 2019
Solve Climate by 2030: Solar Dominance
Presenters: Eban Goodstein and David Blockstein of Solve Climate by 2030: Solar Dominance
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Time: 10:00 am PT | 11:00 am MT | 12:00 pm CT | 1:00 pm ET
Which is declining faster – glacial mass or the price of solar energy? The Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College is leading a new project to engage more than 100,000 students in critical conversations about this existential question for humanity. Learn how to get involved in a national project to educate students about solar power plus storage. On April 7, 2020, hundreds of campuses will participate in 52 state-wide webinars about solar dominance. Register by October 29, 2019
Advocacy 101: Engaging Policymakers And Promoting The Inclusion of a Geoscience Perspective
Presenters: Catherine Riihimaki (Princeton University) and Mike Phillips (Illinois Valley Community College)
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Time: 9:00 am PT | 10:00 am MT | 11:00 am CT | 12:00 pm ET
Policymakers (elected and appointed officials and their staff) must consider a wide range of inputs and anticipate a wide variety of societal impacts when developing legislation and administrative rules and when responding to community needs. The need for geoscience expertise is broad, but often overlooked. We will discuss why it is important to engage with policy makers at all levels (from local boards to the Capitol) as well as how to do it. Register by November 4, 2019
NASA Resources Support Instruction of NGSS Earth System Phenomena
Presenter: Elizabeth Joyner (NASA)
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm PT | 2:00 pm MT | 3:00 pm CT | 4:00 pm ET
This webinar focuses on how to use the newly-updated My NASA Data (MND) resources in your classroom or informal educational setting. MND offers educators of grades 3-12 with a variety of NASA digital assets (i.e., lessons, and activities, as well as data visualization, and story maps) in support of NGSS Earth System phenomena. This webinar will showcase these resources, as well as model how to access and incorporate NASA data in your instruction. Register by November 5, 2019
2. Apply by October 15 to Host a Traveling Workshop and Strengthen Your Courses, Program, or Department
The Traveling Workshop Program (TWP) brings environmental, sustainability, and geoscience education leaders right to your campus, regional, or national event. Workshop sessions address the diversity of undergraduate student populations, evaluating and strengthening program design, and incorporating inclusive and equitable teaching practices. If you interested in addressing these or other topics in your department, program, or course, we invite you to apply to host a Traveling Workshop sponsored by NAGT. The application deadline is October 15, 2019, for Spring/Summer workshops.
3. Save the Date for the 2020 Early Career Workshop
Save the date and spread the word about the 2020 Early Career Workshop which will be held July 26-July 30, 2020 (with an optional visit to NSF on July 31) at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Join us for a multi-day workshop in a stimulating and resource-rich environment where you will participate in sessions on topics including effective teaching strategies, course design, establishing a research program in a new setting, working with research students, balancing professional and personal responsibilities, and time management. Apply by March 23, 2020.
1. Register by November 1 for the AGU Heads and Chairs Workshop
The 2019 AGU Workshop for Heads and Chairs of Earth and Space Sciences Departments will be held Sunday, December 8, at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, CA. This one-day workshop provides an opportunity for heads and chairs of Earth and Space Science departments to discuss issues and strategies for building a strong department, meet other heads and chairs, and learn more about current issues. Register by November 1, 2019.
2. Apply by November 15 for the NAGT-sponsored AGU Short Course "Using Geophysics Data to Teach About Flooding, Landslides, and Climate Change in Undergraduate Majors' Courses"
This GETSI short course Using Geophysics Data to Teach About Flooding, Landslides, and Climate Change in Undergraduate Majors' Courses will be held on 12/8/19 from 8am to 5pm, and is intended for undergraduate Earth science instructors; late stage graduate students with significant teaching responsibilities will also be considered. Space is limited. Apply by November 15.
3. Nominate Candidates for American Geosciences Institute 2021 Officer Positions and 2020 Awards
AGI is seeking quality candidates for American Geosciences Institute 2021 officer positions and 2020 awards. Your nominations should be received by February 1, 2020, in order to be reviewed by the AGI Nominating Committee making recommendations for the 2021 officers and 2020 awards. Letters of support may be sent for each nominee and, if provided, will be included in the package sent to the 2020 Nominating Committee. Nominate by February 1, 2020.
Midcontinent Section
The Midcontinent Section of NAGT is sponsoring two sessions at the 2020 GSA South-Central Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 9-10, 2020. Please considering submitting an abstract by December 3, 2019. The two sessions are:
Strengthening Student Engagement, Inclusion and Learning in the Geosciences, K-Higher Ed
Improving student engagement, inclusion and learning are at the forefront of many educators' and administrators' minds, and key to increasing enrollment in the geosciences. This session welcomes submissions on any topic related to improving geoscience education or outreach, at any level from K-Higher Education. Organizers: Brendan Hanger, Aida Farough, Liane Stevens and Wendi Williams
Hands-on Teaching Demonstrations in Geoscience Courses
This is a geoscience education session that highlights innovative teaching practices through audience participation. Authors will present micro-demonstrations of effective teaching activities that illustrate geologic concepts in geoscience courses. Presentations should have an audience-participation component. Assessment results and reflections on effectiveness are encouraged. Organizers: Michael T. DeAngelis and Rene A. Shroat-Lewis
Geo2YC Division
- Deadlines for future Foundations issues:
- Friday, December 8
- Submit your stories, experiences, experiments, photos, awards, etc. to the editor sukismaglik@gmail.com any time prior to each deadline.
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 paper, presentation, or resource you developed or helped develop to share with your fellow Earth educators? Submit to NAGT's Community Kudos!
Assistant Professor of Geosciences
Nevada State College invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Geosciences with specialization in any of the following fields: Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Geoscience, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Geomorphology, Medical Geology, Geoscience Education, or any other field that can improve the offerings of the Environmental & Resource Science Program to begin Fall 2020.
Professional Practice Assistant Professory in Applied Geoscience and STEM Education
We welcome applications for a Professional Practice Assistant Professor to develop and lead a new undergraduate program in the Department of Geosciences at Utah State University, the Geoscience Technology Workforce Pathways (GeoPaths) program.
Assistant Professor of Sedimentology / Stratigraphy
The Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) at Columbus State University (CSU) invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor focusing on sedimentology, to begin August 1, 2020. We encourage applications from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: sedimentology and stratigraphy, basin analysis, geomorphology, or soil science.
Assistant or Associate Professor of Geology
The Department of Geology at Colorado College announces a tenure-track faculty position in igneous petrology/ high temperature processes, to begin in August 2020. Applicants must have completed or be scheduled to complete a Ph.D. in Petrology or a closely related field, and must be able to demonstrate depth and breadth across the disciplines of earth sciences.
Professor of Practice, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Tulane University's Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences seeks to fill a Professor of Practice position to begin in July 2020. The position is a non-tenured, full-time academic year (nine month) teaching position with renewable 3-year appointments. The responsibilities of this position include teaching courses related to the department's GIS Certificate Program, teaching courses in the applicant's area of specialization, and service to the educational mission of the department and university.
Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in Sedimentary Geology or Structural Geology
The Department of Geological Sciences, California State University Long Beach (CSULB) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in any aspect of Sedimentary Geology or Structural Geology to start Fall 2020. A qualified candidate should be dedicated to teaching at the undergraduate and Masters levels and committed to developing an externally funded research program that will involve students.
Assistant Professor in Geoscience Education
The Department of Geological Sciences at California State University, Fullerton invites applications for a tenure-track Geoscience Education - Assistant Professorship that will begin August 2020. The successful candidate shall: (1) coordinate geoscience education courses; (2) help facilitate the integration of teacher preparation into our B.A. program; and (3) be involved in program-level assessment for our department.
Need help getting the word out about your position opening, event, or field trip? Submit your posting to the new NAGT Career Hub!
Available Samples
Desired Specimens
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.
