NAGT Activities at AGU Fall 2008 Meeting

NAGT is pleased to outline a variety of geoscience education sessions planned for the Fall 2008 AGU Meeting meeting held in San Francisco, CA, from 15-19 December, 2008. Please submit an abstract and plan to attend the following sessions highlighting key issues of importance to geoscience educators at all levels.

Topical Sessions Abstract Deadline - September 10

ED01: Education and Human Resources: General Contributions
Education and Human Resources; Cryosphere; Global Environmental Change
Susan Buhr, CIRES, USA
susan.buhr@colorado.edu

This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Education and Human Resources.

ED02: Space Physics Education and Connections to Science Education Standards
Education and Human Resources
Nicholas Gross, Emily CoBabe-Ammann, Mark S. McCaffrey

Solar and space physics education can meet with resistance among teachers, curriculum developers and program officials when it is unclear how these topics can be integrated into national and state STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education standards. These standards and related science literacy efforts are a vital tool for improving STEM education in the U.S. and will help to keep the U.S. workforce competitive in the global economy. This session, and its associated workshop, are intended to start a dialog in the space physics education community on this topic, synthesizing work already done in this area and identifying topics that need additional attention. Invited and contributed talks are encouraged to not only discuss their education and outreach programs, but also to link them to national science education standards such at the NRC report "National Science Education Standards" and AAAS Project 2061 Benchmarks, as well as individual state standards. Discussion about what constitutes "meeting" a particular standard and how that is evaluated are also encouraged.

ED03: IPY: Science and Outreach In Polar Partnership
Education and Human Resources; Biogeosciences
Rhian Salmon, Jenny Baeseman, Louise Huffman, Nicola Munro, Elena B. Sparrow

The International Polar Year 2007-8 continues to lead the integration of outreach, education and communication into research projects. Scientists and educators within the polar community have been working together to develop and share effective methods of communicating the important role of Polar Regions in the global system. This session is an opportunity to celebrate and profile successful partnerships between IPY science and outreach, explore best-practices, and set recommendations for future collaborations.

We welcome abstracts from all areas of polar science and outreach, especially those that used IPY as an opportunity to explore new collaborations, techniques, audiences, and technology. We are interested in approaches used for international to local activities, evaluation of these, and how these might be applied to a different context.

ED04: Bright STaRS: Bright Students Training as Research Scientists
Education and Human Resources; Hydrology
Ines Cifuentes, Kevin Cuff, Jennifer Saltzman, Lisa White

Several science programs in the San Francisco Bay Area are aimed at encouraging talented high school-aged students to discover the Earth and Space Sciences through after school and summer programs that provide hands-on research opportunities in these fields. This invitation-only session will highlight recent student research activities associated with such programs including the East Bay Academy for Young Scientists at U.C. Berkeley-Lawrence Hall of Science, the SF-ROCKS Program, a partnership between San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Unified School District, and the Earth Sciences High School Intern Program at Stanford University. High school students involved in summer research programs at other locations are encouraged to contact the conveners and submit their research projects.

ED05: Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?
Education and Human Resources; Atmospheric and Space Electricity; Biogeosciences; Hydrology; Ocean Sciences
James Michael Byrne, Dan Fagre, Stephen H Schneider, Alan Robock

Climate change was an issue most often referenced in discussion at a special session entitled Involving Authentic Environmental Change Science and Scientists in Education and the Media at the AGU in December 2007 – there is virtual unanimity and overwhelming evidence from the scientific community that the Earth is warming rapidly and humans are an important cause, but there is confusion in the media and the public, in part due to disinformation campaigns by greenhouse gas polluters and privately funded "Think Tanks." The 2008 session will engage scientists and scientific societies to consider whether we continue with current paths for disseminating knowledge; or is there a need for innovation in the manner in which science informs and educates beyond the science community on important scientific issues? This session will explore directions, and ways and means for science to regain leadership and address misunderstanding and obfuscation of sound science. The session will address a number of issues including: (a) whether unified, proactive actions/programs are required by scientists and/or Science Societies, (b) if so, what actions/programs those may be; and (c) the ways and means to pursue those activities at any and all levels?

ED06: National Alliance for Broadening Participation of Native Americans in the Geosciences
Education and Human Resources
Diana M. Dalbotten, Rajul Pandya

This session will focus on a new alliance of science, education, and tribal leaders that is being formed for broadening participation of Native Americans in the geosciences. The purpose of the alliance will be to explore ideas for research on best practices and barriers to participation, and the alliance will be organized to foster new collaborations and partnerships.

ED07: Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) Teacher Professional Development Program
Education and Human Resources
Robert Myers, Theresa Schwerin

This session focuses on one of NSF's GeoTeach programs to enhance teacher geoscience content knowledge and teaching skills. ESSEA professional development program is providing in-depth geoscience content and teaching methods to pre- and in-service teachers. Sponsored by NSF, the network has expanded to nearly 40 institutions of higher learning committed to teacher Earth system science education. The program supports participating institutions with funding, training, and standards-aligned courses and resources for pre- and in-service teachers. As a result, teachers are prepared to teach Earth system science using inquiry-based classroom methods, geoscience data and tools.

ED08: Making Introductory-Level Science Courses Interesting and Relevant – Best Practices
Education and Human Resources
Patricia Cooper

Science education should help students develop thinking skills. Both the mathematics, technological and scientific skills and knowledge they acquire, and the manner in which their courses are presented, have a lasting influence on their intellectual growth. The U.S. currently ranks second in science literacy among the world's developed countries, due in large part to college curricula that require non-majors to take introductory science courses. As such, these broad survey courses deserve more attention. Innovative and effective undergraduate teaching and learning both transforms the lives of our non-major students and serves as a promotional tool for attracting new majors.

Do you have a unique method for linking the learning of new concepts to what students already know? Have you developed techniques for promoting the learning of scientific concepts through the study of science as a process? Do you provide learners with the opportunity to engage in scientific questioning, gather evidence, formulate, justify and/or discard explanations, and evaluate alternatives? Share your insights with colleagues.

ED09: Teaching Introductory Geoscience in the 21st Century
Education and Human Resources
Rachel Teasdale, Jennifer M. Wenner, Anne E. Egger

Introductory geoscience courses are the main venue both for recruiting students into our majors and for educating a much broader audience about the Earth. It is critical, therefore, that our introductory courses incorporate our best practices from the educational research and give an up-to-date picture of the state of our science. Building on the 2008 Cutting Edge workshop "Teaching Introductory Geoscience in the 21st Century", this session is intended to provide opportunities for the geoscience community to present research about instructional techniques that enhance student learning in introductory geoscience courses, including physical and historical geology, oceanography, atmospheric and climate science, global change, earth system science, natural hazards, and topical courses. Possible topics include successful innovations in instructional materials, laboratory and field exercises, courses, and curricula; research-based approaches to assessment; and successful methods for engaging new student audiences, among many others.

ED10: Promoting the Use of Cyberinfrastructure in the Classroom: Challenges and Success Stories
Education and Human Resources; Earth and Space Science Informatics
Karin A. Block, Lehnert A. Kerstin, Jeffrey G. Ryan

The development of resources that facilitate digital data acquisition, management and visualization (cyberinfrastructure) has provided new opportunities to enhance scientific inquiry in everyday undergraduate teaching and learning. Egalitarian access to data resources provides a level playing field for educational institutions to engage students in exploration and participation in the scientific process. However, online data resources are often geared toward domain research and present challenges to both non-specialist instructors and students in how to develop teaching modules and reach learning goals, respectively. This session invites papers that provide detailed examples of how online resources are applied in the undergraduate classroom and the range of success attained in the various endeavors.

ED11: Climate Literacy and Communication Strategies
Education and Human Resources; Atmospheric Sciences; Global Environmental Change; Public Affairs
Mark S. McCaffrey, Susan M. Buhr, Frank Niepold

This session will examine the urgent need and current efforts to identify high quality education materials, best practices and effective information sharing and communication strategies related to climate variability and change, looking at education and communication research relating to how people learn and make informed decisions including their prior knowledge, ideological filters, and misconceptions, examining deficit knowledge theory as it relates to climate related science, policy and advocacy. We encourage papers be submitted that focus on classroom pedagogical content knowledge curricula, free choice and community-based education programs, efforts to engage and inform underrepresented audiences, and other traditional and emerging communication mediums that relate to science-based climate, energy and/or sustainability topics.

ED12: Integrating Data and Technology in Education: Novel Ways to Promote Earth Science Literacy
Education and Human Resources
Cathy L. Connor, Anupma Prakash

The 21st century workforce uses new technologies to process, analyze and visualize geoscience data. Breaking news portrays human events, tomorrow's weather, and natural disasters on high resolution landscape images packaged for cable TV or web outlets. K-12 through college students use GPS and Google Earth for geocaches, science fair projects, campus navigation, and recreation. This session will showcase a wide range of new data, tools, and successful projects for geoscience education.

ED13: Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
Education and Human Resources; Planetary Sciences; SPA-Aeronomy; SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics; SPA-Magnetospheric Physics
James R. Thieman, Eric R. Christian, Beth Barbier

The concept of how particles, both charged and neutral, behave in space is not an easy concept to convey to students. This includes everything from individual charged particles moving in magnetic fields to radiation effects in the Earth's magnetosphere to major plasma outbursts on the Sun and other stars. This session will highlight the movies, animations, and imagery available to educate students in these concepts. The intent is to understand what is presently available and provide a forum for what would be useful for the future. Participants are asked to bring laptops posters or whatever is necessary to display their products. Participants will, however, have to pay for internet access, if needed.

ED14: Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
Education and Human Resources; Atmospheric Sciences; Biogeosciences; Cryosphere; Earth and Space Science Informatics; Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism; Global Environmental Change; Hydrology; Ocean Sciences; Planetary Sciences; Public Affairs; Seismology; SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics; SPA-Magnetospheric Physics; Tectonophysics; Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology
Constance E. Walker, Gail Scowcroft, Steven K. Croft, Stephen M. Pompea

This session will focus on scientists, educators, education researchers, evaluators and funding agency program officers providing K-12 teachers with authentic research experiences in science and engineering. Presentations should highlight best practices for the "Teacher Research Experience" (TRE) model. Presentations by those who design, facilitate, evaluate, and fund TRE programs are especially encouraged, as well as presentations by teachers and scientists who have participated in such programs.

ED15: The International Year of Astronomy 2009: Celebrating Galileo's Legacy of Observations of the Solar System and Beyond
Education and Human Resources
Leslie Lynne Lowes, James R. Thieman

In 2009 we celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observations of the planets, sun, and astronomical objects through a telescope. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations have proclaimed 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) to spread awareness of astronomy's contributions to society and culture, stimulate young people's interest in science, portray astronomy as a global peaceful endeavor, and nourish a scientific outlook in society. In an effort to encourage participation in this celebration and encourage the public to "Look Up" and "Discover the Universe", we invite related papers describing education and outreach programs and coordinating efforts planned for IYA, supporting resources that are suitable for use in this area, and opportunities for scientist participation.

ED16: Innovations in the Classroom That Can Facilitate and Support Undergraduate Research in the Earth, Ocean, and Space Sciences
Education and Human Resources
Jeffrey G. Ryan, Kirsten Nicolaysen, Kathleen Surpless

Advances in the instrumentation, tools, and data resources for research have led to new classroom approaches that help prepare students to participate in a range of research activities in the earth, ocean and space sciences. This session will highlight innovative classroom uses of research technologies, and new instructional approaches in introductory and upper-level earth, ocean, atmospheric and planetary science courses.

ED17: Undergraduate Geoscience Programs: Defining and Assessing the Curriculum
Education and Human Resources
Cathryn A Manduca, R. Heather Macdonald

Geoscience departments now offer a variety of BA and BS programs meeting a diversity of goals. This session will showcase the variety of curriculum models that have been developed and the assessments that are being used to measure their success.

ED18: IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
Education and Human Resources; Atmospheric Sciences; Earth and Space Science Informatics; Global Environmental Change; Planetary Sciences
Constance E. Walker, Chuck Bueter, Robert Sparks, Stephen M. Pompea

The GLOBE at Night program has students and the general public, as citizen-scientists, take data on light pollution levels by comparing observations with stellar maps of limiting magnitudes toward the constellation, Orion. Measurements are then compared with data from previous years, Earth at Night satellite data and population density data. Session participants could include scientists, educators, and education and public outreach professionals.

Presenters will provide the "know-how" and the means for session participants to become community leaders in promoting Dark Skies programs like GLOBE at Night as public events at their home institutions. Participants will be able to jump-start their education programs through the use of well-developed instructional materials and kits that will be distributed as part of the workshop, as funding permits.

For more information, visit Dark Skies and Dark Skies Awareness Project

ED19: Solid Earth Geovisualizations
Education and Human Resources; Earth and Space Science Informatics; Geodesy; Seismology; Study of Earth's Deep Interior; Tectonophysics
Robert J. Lillie, Louise Kellogg

Large geological and geophysical datasets from EarthScope and other programs allow for unprecedented resolution of Earth's structure and dynamic processes. This session will highlight visualizations of these data in 3 and 4 dimensions and their applications in geoscience research, education and outreach. Visualizations have great potential as teaching and outreach tools providing access to exciting, cutting-edge research results and as a means to explain Earth's dynamic processes to teachers, students, and the public. We invite contributions from scientists and educators who are developing and using innovative methods of visualizing data from seismology, geodesy, geodynamics, subsurface exploration and other fields investigating the solid Earth.

ED20: Are You an Explorer? Using Adventure Learning as a Powerful Tool for Your Scientific Mission
Education and Human Resources
Aaron H. Doering, Mille Porsild, Robert Max Holmes, Paul L. Pregont

Adventure learning (AL) (Doering, 2005; 2006; 2007) is a proven educational approach that anchored in curriculum and collaboration uses a hybrid online educational environment to connects students with 'explorers in the field.' This session is an opportunity to profile the implementation of the principles of an AL program along with six-step process for designing and implementing mini-AL environments, as well as the challenges and rewards of using the AL framework. We invite abstracts that discuss the role of educational outreach within the science community while exploring the delivery of AL and the challenges involved in such an approach. These challenges and opportunities range from the curriculum development, technical issues and solutions, and methods of outreach utilized to maximize your AL program to its fullest extent in your research location, the education and scientific community, the media and to the broader audience.

ED21: Remote Sensing Education - Integrated Geospatial Education and Technology Training (iGETT) and CalGETT
Education and Human Resources
Chris Cruz

These are initiatives to provide training in the area of remote sensing at the Community College Level both at the National Level and the State Level in California. Both initiatives are funded by National Science Foundation and The Industry Driven Regional Collaborative in California.

ED22: Facilitating Literacy in Fundamental Earth System Concepts and Problems
Education and Human Resources
Roberta M. Johnson, Susan Eriksson, Rajul Pandya, Glenn Richard

This session will include invited and contributed presentations that highlight efforts to provide guidance to educators and policy makers on the critical knowledge in the geosciences needed by citizens. A dialog will be facilitated among scientists and educators regarding education programs, aimed at various audiences that present Earth system problems at global, regional, or local scales. In many cases, these problems disproportionately impact minority groups, and educators who serve these groups are encouraged to participate in this session. Scientists who have multidisciplinary applications of science affecting societal well-being and that should be articulated in educational forums and programs are also encouraged to participate to strengthen the overall dialog in communicating science to broad audiences.