A Focus on the Geoscience (and STEM) Professions
Jump down to: National Mandates | Geoscience Professional Societies and Diversity
National Mandates
- Rising Above the Gathering Storm--Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future (National Academy of Sciences, 2007): "need [was] identified for a comprehensive and coordinated federal effort to bolster U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in the STEM disciplines.
- National Research Council (NRC), Rising Above the Gathering Storm Two Years Later: Accelerating Progress Toward a Brighter Economic Future, Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, D. C., 2009.
- Engage to Excel, Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Acrobat (PDF) 5.3MB Feb8 17) (PCAST, 2012) is a report from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST, 2012) that addresses the challenges of recruiting and training 1 million more college graduates in STEM disciplines to meet future economic needs of the United States. Three imperatives are defined: Improve the first two years of STEM education in college; Provide all students with the tools to excel. Diversify pathways to STEM degrees. See Contributions from the Earth Sciences.
- Prepare and Inspire: K-12 Education in Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for America's Future (Acrobat (PDF) 1.5MB Feb8 17) -- PCAST (2010) "To meet our needs for a STEM-capable citizenry, a STEM-proficient workforce, and future STEM experts, the Nation must focus on two complementary goals: We must prepare all students, including girls and minorities who are underrepresented in these fields,to be proficient in STEM subjects. And we must inspire all students to learn STEM and, in the process, motivate many of them to pursue STEM careers."
- Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM Education 5 year Strategic Plan (Acrobat (PDF) 1.1MB Feb8 17) -- Committee on STEM Education National Science and Technology Council (COSTEM, 2013) Key findings for undergraduate education: Identify & broaden implementation of evidence-based practices & document their impacts on learning & retention; Improve STEM Ed support at 2-year colleges & create bridges between 2-year and 4-year programs; Incentivize & support university-public-private partnerships to provide relevant & authentic STEM learning experiences; Address high failure rates in gatekeeper introductory math classes.
- Investing in Science, Engineering and Education for the Nation's Future: NSF Strategic Plan for 2014-2018.
- Dynamic Earth: GEO Imperatives and Frontiers 2015-2020 -- Advisory Committee NSF GEO (2014).
- Strategic Re-envisioning for the Education and Human Resources Directorate -- Advisory Committee NSF/EHR (2014).
- The NRC (2012) report Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER): Understanding and Improving Learning in Undergraduate Science and Engineering provided the evidence that demonstrates effectiveness of instructional strategies, methods, pedagogies and assessments. This link leads to a summary of DBER Contributions and Opportunities for the Geosciences.
- Kober, N. (2015) Reaching Students: What Research Says About Effective Instruction in Undergraduate Science and Engineering. Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
- National Science and Technology Council, Committee on STEM Education (2013) Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-Year Strategic Plan (Acrobat (PDF) 1.1MB Feb8 17).
- Preparing the Next Generation of Earth Scientists: An Examination of Federal Education and Training Programs -- NRC Board on Earth Sciences and Resources (2013).
- National Research Council. (2012). Education for life and work: Developing transferable knowledge and skills in the 21st century Committee on Defining Deeper Learning and 21st Century Skills, J.W. Pellegrino and M.L. Hilton, Editors. Board on Testing and Assessment and Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
- Olson, Steve and Adam P. Fagen, Editors (2007) Understanding Interventions that Encourage Minorities to Pursue Research Careers: Summary of a Workshop. National Research Council, National Academies Press.
- National Science Board (2003) The science and engineering workforce: Realizing America's potential. NSB 03-69. National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.
- Broadening Participation -- National Science Foundation. Includes A Framework for Action and Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Broadening Participation Projects reports.
- National Science Foundation (2001) Strategy for developing a program for opportunities for enhancing diversity in the geosciences. (NSF 01-53), Arlington, VA: NSF
- Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering- - NSF (2015) provides statistical information about the participation of these three groups in science and engineering education and employment.
- In Pursuit of a Diverse Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Workforce: Recommended Research Priorities to Enhance Participation by Underrepresented Minorities -- George, Y.S., Neale, D.S., Van Horne, V., and Malcom, S.M. (2001) American Association for the Advancement of the Sciences (AAAS).
Geoscience Professional Societies and Diversity
A key in increasing participation of students from underrepresented groups in the geosciences is a greater public awareness of what the geosciences are, why they are important, contributions made to society, and potential career pathways. The geoscience professional societies play a major role in promotion, and even marketing, of the geosciences to the public.
- Geological Society of America position statement on Expanding and Improving Geoscience in Higher Education.
- American Geosciences Institute's Geosciences Currents has a wealth of information about diversity and workforce:
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) Diversity Programs; AGU Bright Stars Program for middle and high school students participating in after-school and summer research experiences in the Earth and space sciences.
- Institute for Broadening Participation
- Pathways to Science -- Use this website to find programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities, graduate fellowships, postdoctoral positions, as well as resources and materials pertaining to recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
- SACNAS -- Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
- National Association of Black Geologists
- Marketing Earth Science Education -- Snieder, R., and C. Spiers, Eos Trans. AGU, 8312, 131, 2002
Geoscience Programs and Projects that Support Diversity Initiatives
Numerous programs funded by the National Science Foundation and other institutions have developed substantial resources to support broadening participation in the geosciences:
- Broadening Access to the Earth and Environmental Sciences: Increasing the Diversity of Undergraduate Students learning About Earth--InTeGrate Project Workshop, Arizona State University, February 23-25, 2014.
- Increase the Diversity of Your Graduates--InTeGrate Project, includes modules on
- Attract Diverse Students to STEM,
- Support the Whole Student, and
- Examples of Successful Strategies with a list of
- Working with Diverse Students on Societally Relevant Geoscience Issues--InTeGrate program webinar, May 11, 2016.
- Teaching Environmental Justice: Interdisciplinary Approaches--InTeGrate program workshop, April 2013.
- Resources and Strategies for Recruiting a Diverse Faculty--from NAGT's Building Strong Geoscience Department program.
- The International Association for Geoscience Diversity--"Promoting access, accommodation and inclusion for students and geoscientists with disabilities."