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Cultivating the Next Generation Geoscience Workforce: The View from NSF

This presentation discusses the challenges and investments in cultivating the next generation of geoscience professionals. Topics include the need to attract students to geoscience careers, improving K-12 geoscience education, evolving undergraduate programs, and addressing the needs of a diverse talent pool.

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Cultivating the Next Generation Geoscience Workforce: The View from NSF

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  1. Cultivating the Next Generation Geoscience Workforce: The View from NSF Jill L. Karsten & Lina C. Patino NSF Directorate for Geosciences 2008 Joint Annual Meeting

  2. ALL GEOSCIENCES DIRECTORATE 50% SENIOR OTHER GRAD STUD % of Total Personnel $ Awarded POST DOC Undergrad YEAR

  3. DIVISION OF EARTH SCIENCES 45% SENIOR GRAD STUD % of Total Personnel $ Awarded OTHER POST DOC Undergrad YEAR

  4. EAR - NUMBER OF PROPOSALS 2,500 2,000 ALL PIs 1,500 Number of proposals 1,000 NEW PIs FEMALE PIs 500 URM 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 YEAR

  5. EAR - FUNDING RATE 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% Funding rate within group 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 YEAR ALL NEW PI URM FEMALE

  6. 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

  7. GEO’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

  8. Current 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

  9. Integrating 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

  10. Developing 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.

  11. Strengthening 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

  12. Broadening 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.

  13. Promoting 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 10/6 12:00 – 1:00 PM in CC Room 342 AD PRESENTATIONS – Tuesday 10/7 2:00 & 2:15 PM in CC Room 330 B

  14. Fostering 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

  15. Final Thoughts • Community needs to articulate common messages / goals • The ‘demand side’ of the equation needs more focus: • Career opportunities • Social relevance • National priorities • STEM reform linkages • The problem is bigger than each of us – solution requires collaboration & coordination between public, private, academic, and non-profit efforts

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