NAGT Activities at 2012 GSA Annual Meeting
NAGT is pleased to sponsor a variety of symposia and sessions at the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America meeting held in Charlotte, NC, November 4 - November 7, 2012. Please submit an abstract and plan to attend the following sessions highlighting key issues of importance to geoscience educators at all levels. You can also come by the NAGT booth to meet officers and other NAGT members and to learn more about you can be involved in your organization.
Jump down to: Workshops | Field Trips | Topical Sessions
Meetings and Receptions
Dates, times, and locations for business meetings and receptions will be posted as they become available. Be sure to check back soon.
- NAGT Executive Committee Meeting - Sunday, 4 November, 8-10 AM
Westin Hotel, Grand Ballroom B
- NAGT Executive Council Meeting - Sunday, 4 November, 10:15 AM-noon
Westin Hotel, Grand Ballroom
- NAGT/USGS Summer Field Training Program Annual Meeting - Sunday, 4 November, 2:00-4:00 PM
Westin Hotel, Harris Room
- Reception for Geoscience Education Researchers (sponsored by NAGT and Geoscience Education Division) - Sunday, 4 November, 5:30-6:30 PM
Westin Hotel, Morehead Room
- Geo2YC Division Meeting - Sunday, 4 November, 5:30-6:30 PM
Westin Hotel, Sharon Room
- Geoscience Educators' Social Reception - Sunday, 4 November, 6:30-8:00 PM
Westin Hotel, Grand Ballroom A
- NAGT Past Presidents Breakfast - Monday, 5 November, 7:15-9:15 AM
Westin Hotel, Kings Room
- Journal of Geoscience Education Editorial Board Meeting - Monday, 5 November, 5:30-7:00 PM
Westin Hotel, Kings Room
- NAGT/GSA Geoscience Education Division Luncheon - Ticketed Event - Tuesday, 6 November, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM, Grand Ballroom A
- Joint AGI/NAGT meeting- TBA
Workshops Early Registration Deadline: October 1, 2012
To sign up for a workshop, use the GSA meeting registration. You can add a short course to your meeting registration or attend a workshop as a stand-alone event without registering for the whole meeting.
Early registration ends on 6 September. After that date, course prices go up by $30. This is to encourage registrants to sign up prior to this date to ensure course viability. See the GSA Short Courses web page for further details and a complete list of all GSA short courses.
507. Best Practices for Preparing Workforce and Transfer Students in Two-Year Colleges for Geoscience Careers.
Sat., 3 Nov., 8 a.m.–4 p.m. US$25; includes lunch. Limit: 50. CEU: 0.7.
Cosponsors: Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence; National Science Foundation; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Eric Baer, Highline Community College; Robert Blodgett, Austin Community College District.
Participants will learn about successful 2YC college transfer and geotechnical workforce programs and practices, effective student research and internship programs, and geoscience career resources for 2YC students and faculty. Discussion will also include strategies for easily and effectively incorporating career information and professional skills into introductory geoscience courses. The workshop will be valuable for faculty and administrators from two-year colleges and from four-year colleges and universities who desire effective transfer programs with 2YCs, as well as representatives from professional organizations and employers.
508. Instructional Approaches to Access, Accommodation, and Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in the Geosciences.
Sat., 3 Nov., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. US$35; includes lunch. Participants will be reimbursed for the expense of the short course registration after attending. Limit: 50. CEU: 0.8.
Cosponsors: National Science Foundation; National Association of Geoscience Teachers; The International Advisory for Geoscience Diversity.
Christopher Atchison, Georgia State University; Brett Gilley, University of British Columbia; Gina Ceylan, University of Missouri.
Participants of this short course will learn the principles of universal design and apply these principles to their own lessons, labs, and field trips in order to accommodate students with a variety of physical disabilities. The presentation of this course will include student instructors who will discuss first-hand perspectives of negotiating the rigor of a geoscience curriculum while managing their disabilities. Key topics will include: accommodation in the geosciences; the physical barriers to access and inclusion; and the personal, psychological and social challenges that students may face away from the classroom. Participants will be reimbursed for the expense of the short course registration after attending.
This set of workshops is being cosponsored by NAGT and the Geoscience Education Division of GSA. The registration fee for one workshop is $45, but you can
sign up for a morning (511A or 511B) and an afternoon (511C or 511D) and still pay only $45 to register for both.
511A. Active Lectures in Classrooms of All Sizes. Sat., 3 Nov., 8 a.m.–noon US$45 for one course—OR get two for one!—US$45 for combined courses (add 511C or 511D); includes lunch. Limit: 40. CEU: 0.4.
Cosponsors: GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Mark Leckie, University of Massachusetts–Amherst; Jessica Smay, San José City College; Karen Kortz, Community College of Rhode Island
Research indicates that shifting instruction from lecture-centered to student-centered improves students' learning. Participants in this half-day workshop will learn classroom techniques to make lectures more interactive. The techniques presented, such as Lecture Tutorials, ConcepTests (with or without clickers), Think-Pair-Shares, Minute Papers, and Pyramid Exams, can be used in classrooms of any size, without special tools. Each teaching technique will be demonstrated using multiple classroom-ready examples, and participants will be guided as they create and practice their own examples. Participants will leave the workshop with a set of techniques they can apply to their own courses to better engage their students and improve their learning.
511B.Teaching about Hazards in the Geoscience Classroom.Sat., 3 Nov., 8 a.m.–noon. US$45 for one course—OR get two for one!—US$45 for combined courses (add 511C or 511D); includes lunch. Limit: 40. CEU: 0.4.
Cosponsors: GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
John McDaris, Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College; Wendi Williams, Northwest Arkansas Community College.
Natural and environmental hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or oil spills provide opportunities for students to understand the relevancy of the geosciences in society. This half-day workshop will showcase several strategies for engaging students in learning about hazards. Approaches for teaching about hazards can range from use of case studies to investigating locally-relevant hazard risks and scale from single learning activities to full courses. Participants will explore teaching activities that can be used in a variety of course settings and will share ideas with each other for using hazards to create appealing and engaging learning experiences for geoscience students.
511C. Making the Invisible Visible: Assessing Higher Order Thinking in your Students.Sat., 3 Nov.,1-5 p.m. US$45 for one course—OR get two for one!—US$45 for combined courses (add 511A or 511B); includes lunch. Limit: 40. CEU: 0.4.
Cosponsors: GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Bruce Herbert, Texas A&M University.
This workshop will explore assessment of student learning through a backwards design framework championed by Wiggins and McTighe. The workshop will provide concrete examples of specific assessment techniques that can provide insight on student skill development towards general higher order thinking skills as well as disciplinary expertise. These techniques can be used to inform your day-to-day teaching practice, future course design, or help meet accountability programs on your campus. Participants will have an opportunity to collectively develop assessment strategies for their own classes.
511D.[link http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/field/design.html GSA12_d.html 'Design an Effective Field Experience'].Sat., 3 Nov., 1-5 p.m. US$45 for one course—OR get two for one!—US$45 for combined courses (add 511A or 511B); includes lunch. Limit: 40. CEU: 0.4.
Cosponsors: GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
David Mogk, Montana State University; Steven Whitmeyer, James Madison University.
Learning in the field can be one of the most enriching experiences for our students in the Earth science curriculum. This workshop will help participants design and implement a field experience to optimize learning by your students. We define field experiences broadly to include any number of instructional activities such as exploring, collecting, monitoring, and mapping outside the classroom and in Nature. Topics that will be covered include definition of learning goals for your students and in your field setting, planning logistics, preparation of students to be ready to learn in the field, alignment of field activities with the learning goals, and assessments of learning outcomes. Workshop products will be a fully developed plan for your next class field experience, and for inclusion in the NAGT Field Guide database.
519. Mars for Earthlings: Teaching Modules Integrating Earth and Planetary Science.
Sat., 3 Nov., 1–5 p.m. US$20; registrants will receive a coupon redeemable at the onsite GSA bookstore for US$20 upon signing in at the course. Limit: 30. CEU: 0.4.
Cosponsor: NASA; National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Marjorie Chan, University of Utah; Julia Kahmann Robinson, University of Utah.
This workshop will provide lesson modules integrating Earth analog concepts and recent Mars imagery to engage students in STEM disciplines. Lesson modules are easily integrated into any introductory classes. Accompanying hands-on activities will utilize Google Mars and JMARS software, as well as covering topical themes: "What is the evidence for water on Mars? (mineralogy, diagenesis, sedimentary geology, and surfaces processes)", "Is there life on Mars? (extremophiles and habitable environments)", and "How do craters shape the Martian landscape? (relative dating, stratigraphy, surfaces processes)". This workshop is for any faculty and postdoctoral scientists/graduate students teaching undergraduate introductory earth or planetary science. Fee to include a coupon redeemable at the GSA bookstore onsite for $20 when registrant signs in at the course.
Field Trips
There are a number of fantastic field trip opportunities being planned for the 2012 Annual Meeting. To see descriptions of all the others, see the
Field Trips information page on the Annual Meeting website.
Topical Sessions Abstract Deadline - August 14, 2012
These educational sessions are sponsored in part by NAGT. For a full listing of the educational sessions at the meeting
check out the GSA website or
see below.
T58. Formative Assessment in Geoscience Education (Posters)
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Matthew A. Ludwig, Heather L. Petcovic
Classroom formative assessment can significantly improve student achievement through feedback during the learning process, rather than by grading. This poster session explores research, practical examples, and technology related to formative assessment in college geoscience courses.
Geoscience Education
T60. EarthScope in Geoscience Education and Outreach: Past Successes and Future Opportunities
National Association of Geoscience Teachers; GSA Geoscience Education Division; GSA Geophysics Division
Steven Semken, J. Ramón Arrowsmith, Steven J. Whitmeyer
Educators and scientists who use EarthScope facilities, projects, data, or scientific findings in support of geoscience education and outreach for students, teachers, decision makers, and the public can feature and share their practices, materials, and outcomes.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Geophysics/Tectonophysics/Seismology
T62. Geology Careers for New Geology Graduates
GSA Geophysics Division; American Institute of Professional Geologists; National Association of Geoscience Teachers
John M. Stewart, Ronald J. Wallace
Geologists working in different areas of employment will advise students regarding their career opportunities and highlight many areas where jobs are available about which students may not be aware.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication
T66. New Strategies for Teaching Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry, and Volcanology (MPVG) to Geoscience Majors and General Education Students (Posters)
GSA Geoscience Education Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Elizabeth A. Johnson, Jodie Hayob, Shelley Jaye, Elizabeth McClellan
This session explores (1) strategies for teaching MPGV topics, including energy and mineral resources, to geoscience majors or students in introductory courses, and (2) ways to transfer pedagogy and content between introductory and advanced courses.
Geoscience Education | Mineralogy/Crystallography | Petrology, Igneous
T70. Fostering the Next Generation: Support for Pre-College Teachers and Students by Professional Societies, Institutions, and Federal Agencies
National Association of Geoscience Teachers; National Earth Science Teachers Association; GSA Education & Outreach Teacher Advocate Program; American Geophysical Union Education Program
Michael J. Passow
Sharing exemplars of programs created by professional societies, educational institutions, organizations, and federal agencies that effectively support K–12 teachers and students and foster the next generation of geoscientists.
Geoscience Education
T72. Geology in the National Parks: Research, Mapping, and Resource Management
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Bruce A. Heise, Jason P. Kenworthy
This session addresses the role of geoscience in the National Parks. Presentations on geologic research, geologic mapping, paleontology, coastal geology and geomorphology, and resource management in National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, and Historic Sites are encouraged.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Marine/Coastal Science
T73. Successful Strategies for Teaching Online Geoscience Courses
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Shane V. Smith
This session will focus on successful pedagogical strategies, laboratory activities, and assessment tools that can be used to improve and support teaching and learning in online geoscience courses.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication
T74. Teaching Controversy in the K–16 Earth Science Classroom
GSA Geoscience Education Division; Paleontological Society; National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Laura A. Guertin, Tanya Furman
Evolution, climate change, offshore drilling, nuclear energy—all are topics rich in content and controversial in nature. We seek presenters to share approaches and strategies for introducing controversy in the K–16 classroom.
Geoscience Education
T76. Teaching Teachers: Examples of Successful Geoscience Content Courses and Workshops for Pre-Service and in-Service Teachers
GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Kyle Gray, Jennifer Anderson, Amy L. Ellwein
This technical session brings together presentations that illustrate courses or lessons designed for pre-service or in-service teachers including geoscience content courses, field-based courses, and summer workshops.
Geoscience Education
T77. Innovations and Challenges in Non-Major Instruction in Two- and Four-Year Colleges
National Association of Geoscience Teachers; Geo2YC; GSA Geoscience Education Division
David H. Voorhees, Suzanne T. Metlay
This session explores innovative pedagogy of part- and full-time faculty in geoscience classes predominantly of diverse students solely seeking general education requirements. This requires innovative strategies to ensure engagement and success in all learning environments.
Geoscience Education
T121.Rapid Sea-Level Rise and Its Impacts: Past, Present, and Future
GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; GSA Sedimentary Geology Division; National Association of Geoscience Teachers; GSA International Section
George T. Stone, Michael E. Mann, Stanley R. Riggs, Andrew M. Buddington
This session convenes leading scientists from diverse disciplines to present current research on one of the most compelling issues in the geosciences: rapid sea-level rise and the attendant threat to coastlines worldwide.
Marine/Coastal Science | Paleoclimatology/Paleoceanography | Environmental Geoscience
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Other Geoscience Education Sessions
T49. Geology in the National Forests and Grasslands—Stewardship, Education, and Research
GSA Hydrogeology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; USDA Forest Service
Christopher P. Carlson, Michael A. Crump
This session will explore aspects of the geological sciences related to the National Forests and Grasslands. Topics include paleontology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geoecology, natural-hazard mitigation, cave and karst resources, and interpretive and recreational geology.
Environmental Geoscience | Geoscience Education | Public Policy
T51. Geology and Health: Getting the Word Out
GSA Geology and Health Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division; Geoscience Information Society
Julia Linnaea Wise, Robert B. Finkelman
This session will highlight examples of how to successfully communicate the value of geoscience input in health to the health/biomedical communities, decision makers, and to the public.
Geology and Health | Geoscience Education | Public Policy
T57. Building a Professional Portfolio through Hands-On Research Activities in the Geosciences: Focusing on Early Involvement of Undergraduate and K–12 Students (Posters)
GSA Geology and Society Division; Council on Undergraduate Research; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division
Nazrul I. Khandaker, Stanley Schleifer
This session is open to faculty mentors and students interested in general geology and environmental topics that warrant field, computational, and laboratory-based data as part of their research tools. Domestic and international geoscience-related issues are highly welcome.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Environmental Geoscience
T59. Seeing through the Eyes of the Geologist: Eye Tracking, Video, and Image Analysis in Geoscience Education and Geocognition Research (Digital Posters)
GSA Geoscience Education Division
Caitlin N. Callahan, Julie Libarkin
This session focuses on the use and analysis of eye-tracking, video, and still images within empirical research in geoscience education and geocognition. Presentations may describe novel methodologies, applications, and/or results from research studies. digital poster session
Geoscience Education
T61. Research and Instructional Approaches of Access and Inclusion to Increase Diversity in the Geosciences
GSA Geoscience Education Division; International Advisory for Geoscience Diversity
Christopher Atchison, Sharon Locke
Geoscience educators and students are encouraged to disseminate research findings and instructional experiences that promotes the enhancement of a diverse participation in the geosciences through increased access and inclusion.
Geoscience Education | Geology and Health | Geoscience Information/Communication
T63. Digital Education Resources and Strategies: Best Practices and Content That Support Hybrid Learning K–20 and Professionally
GSA Geoscience Education Division; On the Cutting Edge
Christopher Thomas, Jennifer A. Nelson, Karin B. Kirk
This session showcases strategies for digital instructional content, collections, or teaching/training strategies that enhance or replace traditional face-to-face approaches. The emphasis is on approaches that are researched and assessed and are shareable, open source, and scaleable.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication
T64. Informal Geosciences Education and Learning Environments
UNC Charlotte Ctr. for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Educ.
Andy R. Bobyarchick, David K. Pugalee
Informal learning environments support community science literacy beyond traditional academic venues through the use of designed spaces where people pursue interests in science, engage in inquiry, and reflect on those experiences.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Public Policy
T65. Student Use of Smart Phone/Tablet Technology in the Field or Classroom: An Educational Resource or the Bane of Your Existence? (Posters)
GSA Geoscience Education Division
J. Armour
This session addresses the costs/benefits and successes/failures in student use of smart phone and tablet technology within geoscience learning environments.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Remote Sensing/Geographic Info System
T67. Innovative Classroom Approaches to Teaching Biogeochemistry
Council on Undergraduate Research; International Association of GeoChemistry (IAGC); Geochemical Society
Steven Goldsmith, Sarah K. Fortner, Stephen Levas
We seek contributions that entail innovative classroom approaches to teaching biogeochemistry at a variety of levels (K–12, undergraduate, and graduate). Of particular interest are approaches that blend research and classroom experiences.
Geoscience Education | Geochemistry | Limnogeology
T68. Undergraduate Research as Teaching Practice
Council on Undergraduate Research
Patricia Manley, Jeff Ryan, Edward C. Hansen
This session will deal with educational aspects of undergraduate research ranging from assessments of the pedagogical effectiveness of different approaches, mentoring students, and the nuts and bolts of setting up and doing research with students.
Geoscience Education
T69. Uncertainty in Earth and Climate Science: Integrating Uncertainty in the Classroom
GSA Hydrogeology Division
Amy Pallant
The session introduces the High-Adventure Science project, which created computer-based investigations around compelling unanswered questions in Earth and space science and assessments that stimulate students to explore evidence and certainty in the science under study.
Geoscience Education | Environmental Geoscience
T71. Climate Literacy: Research and Evaluation Outcomes from Informal and Formal Climate Education Efforts
GSA Geoscience Education Division; Climate Literacy Network; GSA Geology and Society Division
Susan Buhr, Karen S. McNeal
This session encourages abstracts which provide evidence-based knowledge and guidance for the climate education community from a variety of formal and informal educational contexts.
Geoscience Education
T75. Climate Literacy: Formal and Informal Educational Activities and Community Outreach to Support an Informed Society
GSA Geoscience Education Division; Climate Literacy Network; GSA Geology and Society Division
Tamara Shapiro Ledley, Jeffrey Ryan
This session will focus on descriptions of efforts for pre-college (students & teachers), higher education, informal education audiences and community outreach, including materials, activities, curriculum, capstone projects, service learning, professional development programs, and community activities.
Geoscience Education | Geoscience Information/Communication | Public Policy
T79. Uncertainty in Earth and Climate Science: Communicating Uncertainty to the Public
GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division; GSA Geology and Public Policy Committee; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA International Section
David W. Szymanski, J.E. Fryxell, Tamara Shapiro Ledley
The term "uncertainty" carries a dramatically different meaning in the public realm compared to the way it is used by scientists. This session will cover pitfalls and strategies in communicating uncertainty in scientific data.
Geoscience Information/Communication | Geoscience Education | Public Policy
T80. Geoscience Information: Investing in the Future
Geoscience Information Society
Robert L. Tolliver
How are libraries investing in the future of geoscience information? This session will look at traditional print and online publications, non-traditional information sources, data management and digital repositories, preservation, and other future information resources.
Geoscience Information/Communication | Geoinformatics | Geoscience Education
T81. Don't be a Dinosaur: Geoscience Information in the 21st Century (Posters)
Geoscience Information Society
Robert L. Tolliver
This poster session will provide a glimpse of the different ways that geoscience librarians and others are addressing the information challenges of the 21st century.
Geoscience Information/Communication | Geoinformatics | Geoscience Education
T87. Building Capacity for Hydrologic Science in Water-Stressed Regions of the World (Posters)
GSA Hydrogeology Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geology and Health Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division; International Association of Hydrogeologists, U.S. National Chapter; National Ground Water Association; Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science Inc.; GSA Limnogeology Division
Alan E. Fryar, Adam Milewski, Mohamed I. Sultan
The development and prudent management of water resources depends upon the appropriate training of hydrologists. We seek posters on integrating hydrologic education with research and practice in water-stressed regions, especially in Africa and Asia.
Hydrogeology | Geoscience Education
T130. Bloss Mineralogical Session: In Honor of the Life-Time Accomplishments of F. Donald Bloss, Emeritus Alumni Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech, as a Researcher, Author, and Teacher in the Field of Optical Mineralogy
GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; Mineralogical Society of America
Mickey E. Gunter, Nancy Ross
Contributions are broadly oriented toward teaching and research in optical mineralogy and applications of polarized light microscopy (e.g., petrology, forensics, asbestos identification, etc.) and those wishing to honor Professor Bloss for his contributions in mineralogy.
Mineralogy/Crystallography | Petrology, Experimental | Geoscience Education
T151. Linking Earth-Observing Data and Planetary Mission Data in the Teaching and Presentation of Basic Geoscience to K–12 Students, Teachers, and the General Public
GSA Planetary Geology Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division
Jayne C. Aubele, Eric J. Pyle, Jeannie Allen
We encourage abstracts on programs that combine NASA's Earth Observing Data with Planetary Mission Data to teach geoscience at all levels and to present geoscience topics in museums and other informal science education venues.
Planetary Geology | Geoscience Education | Remote Sensing/Geographic Info System
T157. Gridview Image Manipulation for LOLA and MOLA Topographical Data (Posters)
GSA Planetary Geology Division
Rosemary A. Millham
GRIDVIEW software, an image manipulation tool, is decidedly an innovative tool for use in the study of planetary geomorphology using IDL created data images for Earth's Moon and Mars.
Planetary Geology | Geomorphology | Geoscience Education
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