Preparing Students from a 21 st Century Demographic for the Geoscience Workforce

1. Preparing Students from a 21st Century Demographic for the Geoscience Workforce Diane Doser and Aaron Velasco, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) ED12A-03

2. Challenges • UTEP is commuter campus (40% part-time) • 83% undergrads from El Paso County • 76% Hispanic • ~50% first in their family to attend college • Relevance of geoscience to community

3. Some solutions? • Annual student research colloquium • Pathways program (high school to graduate school) • Curriculum design

4. Student Research Colloquium • Celebrating our 25th year in 2011! • Modeled after professional meeting, student run • Students at all levels involved • Students produce abstract volume, organize field trip, etc. • Industry support covers major costs, professionals serve as judges

5. Oral presentation Poster presentation

6. Positive Outcomes • Prepares students! • Alumni surveys rate colloquium a highlight of their UTEP experience • Maintains strong industry connections • Recruiting tool (both by Department and industry) • Feedback used for program assessment

7. Pathways to the Geosciences Two pronged approach: • Two week summer field experience (paid) for high school students and teachers, learning is hands on and field based • Undergraduate mentoring (as group and one-on-one) and paid research experience • Support from NSF and Shell

8. Classroom demonstrations - seismology Field activities – sediment sampling in Rio Grande

9. Outcomes • High school students and teachers learn about career opportunities in the geosciences (few students study earth science topics after 8th grade) • Undergraduates write resumes, learn how to conduct research, write progress reports, attend meetings, make presentations

10. Curriculum Development – Senior Seminar in Environmental Science • Career exploration (resumes, visits) • Communication of science to the public (service learning activity) • Semester project to write environmental assessment – professionals assist with organization and writing, judge oral presentation

11. Earth Science Week - 2010 Wind power Biofuels, hydro power

13. Outcomes • Interaction with professionals helps students see relevance of course work • Service learning challenges students to communicate science to everyone • Development of oral and written communication skills

14. Future Improvements • More collaboration with local 2 year college and early college high schools • Funding – industry sponsors, college office of undegraduate research • Need for business skills