About the GETSI Program

GEophysics for Societal Issues brings together two projects which created teaching resources to support undergraduate learning in geodesy and near-surface geophysics.

Central to both projects is a focus on the societal context for learning and doing science. The resources were all developed and tested in varied institution types with the aim of being impactful to a wide range of students and helping to broaden participation in geoscience and geophysics.

EarthScope Consortium logo. Concentric circles in red grading to purple.
The expanded program, continuing past the end of the original funding, is run by the EarthScope Consortium and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) geophysical facilities.

Original GETSI - GEodesy Tools for Societal Issues

Originally started in 2013, this project features geodetic data and methods. Geodesy is the study of the size, shape, and mass of Earth and their changes with time. Recent advances have revolutionized our understanding of Earth processes and produced discoveries of major societal impact related to climate change, water resource management, and mitigation of natural hazards. The diverse toolbox of geodetic methods includes GPS, gravity, laser ranging, radar, sea level altimetry, and more.

Funded by: US NSF Directorate for STEM Education's Division of Undergraduate Education.
Collaborators: EarthScope Consortium (formerly UNAVCO), Indiana University, Mt. San Antonio College, and Idaho State University.

IGUaNA - Introducing Geophysics for Urban and Near-surface Applications

Initiated in 2019, the goal of the IGUaNA project was to attract a diverse population of students to geophysics through the development of teaching materials that highlight the application of near-surface geophysical tools and methods to societally-relevant questions, including environmental, engineering, and forensic questions in urban settings. Featured methods include electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar, gravity, and magnetics.

Funded by: US NSF's Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE).
Collaborators: EarthScope Consortium (formerly IRIS), University of Wyoming, University of South Florida, and Rutgers University Newark.

Common elements

Both projects:

  • Developed ~2-week modules featuring geophysics data, quantitative skills, and data analysis applied to societally important issues.
  • Modules for both introductory and majors-levels. Many modules have also been adapted to secondary K-12. 
  • Adoption of the produced teaching materials is promoted via webinars and virtual and in-person workshops.
  • Assessment, evaluation, and website support have been provided by the Science Education Resource Center (SERC) in coordination with the InTeGrate Project. 
  • Sponsored by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), which aids in recruitment and dissemination efforts.

Team members

photo of PI Beth Pratt-Sitaula Beth Pratt-Sitaula, EarthScope

Bruce Douglas (Indiana University) Bruce Douglas, Indiana University

Becca Walker Becca Walker, Indiana University

Benjamin Crosby Benjamin Crosby, Idaho State University

Andy Parsekian Andy Parsekian, University of Wyoming

Sarah Kruse Sarah Kruse, University of South Florida

Slater Lee Slater, Rutgers University Newark

Donna Charlevoix Donna Charlevoix, EarthScope

Other team members

John Taber, IRIS
Danielle Sumy, EarthScope Consortium
Ellen Iverson, SERC, Carleton College
Kristin O'Connell, SERC, Carleton College
Carol Ormand, SERC, Carleton College
John McDaris, SERC, Carleton College
And many invaluable student interns and teaching assistants.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact education@earthscope.org

Disclaimer: Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US National Science Foundation.