NAGT Advocacy: Outreach to Support Geoscience Education

Wednesday 4:30pm-5:45pm Beren Auditorium
Poster Session Part of Wednesday Poster Session

Session Chairs

Michael Phillips, Illinois Valley Community College
Don Haas, Paleontological Research Institution
Wendi J. W. Williams, South Texas College
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers' (NAGT) mission has three primary goals: to improve geoscience education, to emphasize the relevance and cultural significance of the earth sciences, and to disseminate knowledge to educators and the general public. Since its inception, the NAGT has engaged members, the public, decision-makers, and partner organizations. The NAGT Advocacy Committee was established in 2015 to maximize the effect of NAGT's work on behalf of its membership. The committee monitors and supports initiatives at local, state, national, and international levels; develops position papers; authors letters of support pertinent to pressing issues; and works with other organizations on shared concerns.

The NAGT Advocacy Committee has adopted advocacy principles and guidelines to assist the committee and the NAGT leadership in identifying and responding to opportunities to advocate for geoscience education. The responses include partnerships with other organizations, submitting letters of support at the state and federal level, and authoring articles for publication in professional publications.

The NAGT Advocacy Committee is currently developing a strategic plan to improve its advocacy capabilities. The NAGT's overarching goal is to increase the number of members who participate in advocacy at all levels and to provide a structure and materials that facilitate members' ability to be advocates for sound science education policy.