Cultivating the Next Generation Cultivating the Next Generation Geoscience Workforce: Geoscience Workforce:

The View from NSFThe View from NSF

Jill L. Karsten & Lina C. PatinoJill L. Karsten & Lina C. PatinoNSF Directorate for GeosciencesNSF Directorate for Geosciences

2008 Joint Annual Meeting2008 Joint Annual Meeting

GEOSCIENCES DIRECTORATE

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The Geosciences are a highly attractive field . . . . .

• The work is sophisticated, interdisciplinary, socially relevant and fun!

• There is high demand – jobs to grow ~22% by 2016

• New industries and jobs will emerge in low-carbon economy

• Spatial and systems thinking skills are useful in many other occupations

. . . . . But, where are the students?!

• Career opportunities are unknown or unattractive

• Weakness of K-12 geoscience education is a barrier

• Undergraduate programs have not fully evolved

• The needs of a diverse talent pool are not being addressed

GEO’s Investments in Education & DiversityGEO’s Investments in Education & Diversity

• Emphasis Areas:

• Integrating Geoscience Research and Education

• Developing the Future Geoscience Workforce

• Strengthening Geoscience Education

• Broadening Participation in the Geosciences

• Promoting Public Literacy in the Geosciences

• Fostering Innovative Geoscience Education Research

Current Programs in the GEO PortfolioCurrent Programs in the GEO Portfolio

• Office of the Assistant Director Programs:• Geoscience Education (GeoEd)• Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG)• Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)• Geoscience Teacher Training (GEO-Teach)

• Division Programs:• Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE)• EAR Post-doctoral Fellowship Program• Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS)• REU, RET

• GEO also participates in NSF-wide programs:• Ethics Education in Science & Engineering• GK-12, IGERT, CAREER, ADVANCE

Integrating Geoscience Research and EducationIntegrating Geoscience Research and Education

• GLOBE Program Earth System Science Projects

• Research Experiences for Undergraduates

• Research Experiences for Teachers

• MREFC Education & Outreach Activities• EarthScope• SAHRA• NCED

Developing the Future Geoscience WorkforceDeveloping the Future Geoscience Workforce

• EAR Post-doctoral Fellowships

• Mentoring & early career networks

• Preparing Future Faculty / On the Cutting Edge Resources

• Regional grants conferences

. . . . . . . . But, emphasis has been on academic side; there is a need for greater collaboration with private sector.

Strengthening Geoscience EducationStrengthening Geoscience Education

• Professional Development for Teachers (GEO-Teach)• Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA)• Transforming Earth System Science Education (TESSE)

• Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE)• www.dlese.org

• Science Education Resource Center (SERC)• serc.carleton.edu

• Innovative, hands-on curricula

• Resources for informal science educators

Broadening Participation in the GeosciencesBroadening Participation in the Geosciences

GEO supports an array of programs that provide K-20 students with research experiences in the geosciences, mentoring, networking, and leadership professional development.

Promoting Public Literacy in the GeosciencesPromoting Public Literacy in the Geosciences

• Earth System Science Literacy Initiative:

• Literacy frameworks now exist for Ocean, Atmospheric Science, Climate and Earth Science (under revision)

• Next step is to integrate them into a comprehensive Earth System Science Literacy Framework

EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY – Learn More

TOWN HALL - Monday 10/612:00 – 1:00 PM in CC Room 342 AD

PRESENTATIONS – Tuesday 10/72:00 & 2:15 PM in CC Room 330 B

Fostering Innovative Geoscience Education ResearchFostering Innovative Geoscience Education Research

• Linking education theory, pedagogy, and cognitive science with geoscience content to improve:

• Using visualizations to teach geoscience• Using data in the classroom• Creating new K-16 curricula • Developing spatial thinking skills• Addressing common misconceptions• Evaluating student learning

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Community needs to articulate Community needs to articulate

common messages / goalscommon messages / goals

The ‘demand side’ of the The ‘demand side’ of the equation needs more focus:equation needs more focus:

Career opportunitiesCareer opportunities Social relevanceSocial relevance National prioritiesNational priorities STEM reform linkagesSTEM reform linkages

The problem is bigger than The problem is bigger than each of us – solution requires each of us – solution requires collaboration & coordination collaboration & coordination between public, private, between public, private, academic, and non-profit academic, and non-profit effortsefforts