National Association of Geoscience Teachers’ Post

AGU ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS JULY 31! Do you have research, best practices, or projects in Geoscience Education that you would like to share with an engaged group of like-minded people? Submit an abstract to present an oral or poster session at AGU24 in Washington, D.C. December 9-13, 2024. Be sure to check out the NAGT co-sponsored sessions at https://lnkd.in/gSkvTZSA Here are some sessions focused on Community Science and Informal Learning: SY008 - Advancing Water Resource Management through Community Collaboration and Co-Design of Data and Tools SY047 - Science and Society: Community and Citizen Science SY025 - Extending Science Through Public Participation: Community Science, Citizen Science and a Changing World SY014 - Building Community Cooperation in Developing and Sharing Science Applications for National Security, Natural Hazards Preparedness and Response, and Public Safety ED015 - Empowering A Diverse and Global Earth and Space Science Community through Education and Public Engagement ED003 - Arctic Education & Outreach - Effective ways of engaging diverse learners in Arctic science ED005 - Beyond the Talk: Meeting the Continuing Challenge of Diversifying the Geoscience Profession Through Experiential Learning Programs or Internships ED009 - Climate Empowerment: Simulations & Gamification of Climate Education

In honor of #InternationalDayofEducation, we're reminding you that we believe everyone should have access to #oceanexploration and #oceanscience! That's why we host a suite of free #educationalprograms and resources to introduce #teachers, #students, science centers, and local communities to the excitement of discovery and the role models who push back the boundaries of the unknown and inspire explorers around the world: https://lnkd.in/d_6GvsRz

The concept of learning ecosystems has a rich theoretical history. In our paper, Geo-STEM learning ecosystems: a transdisciplinary theory-based framework, we connect this history to the geosciences and related STEM fields. To learn more, check out the publication here https://lnkd.in/gvcEAnAA

Authors of ‘Emerging investigator series: kinetics of diopside reactivity for carbon mineralization in mafic–ultramafic rocks’ the winner of the #ESNANO outstanding emerging investigator paper tell us that they “hope that not only will this article help current researchers in geochemistry and carbon storage/sequestration, but also will show the capabilities of undergraduate students and inspire future students to apply for internships and explore research opportunities they thought might be out of reach”. Briana Aguila-Ames, Landon Hardee, Herbert Schaef, Siavash Zare, PhD, Mohammad Javad Abdolhosseini Qomi, Jarrod Crum, Jade Holliman Jr., Elena Tajuelo Rodriguez, Larry Anovitz, Kevin Rosso and Quin R. S. Miller. 📷 Pictured are Briana Aguila and Landon Hardee. Briana tells us more about their research group below: “Working at a predominantly undergraduate institution, my group consists of undergraduate students who are relatively new to the world of research. One of my students and I were fortunate enough to work over the summer at Pacific Northwest National Lab as part of the DOE Visiting Faculty Program, which resulted in the work published here. This was a pivotal research experience for all involved and personally helped kickstart an exciting new research direction as part of my independent career.” Check out their full paper here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePscHKhJ #EnvSciOutstandingPapers #OpenAccess #EnvironmentalScience #RSCEnv

Spark Curiosity and Ignite Innovation: Why Science Fairs Matter (and Fun Science Games You Can Try at Home!) Ever wondered why that volcano erupts in baking soda or how a homemade battery can light up an LED? Science fairs are fantastic opportunities for students (and adults!) to explore these questions and delve deeper into the fascinating world around us. Here's why science fairs are so important: Learning by Doing: Science fairs encourage hands-on exploration and experimentation. They allow students to move beyond textbooks and lectures, actively engaging with scientific concepts through projects they design and build themselves. Boosting Creativity and Critical Thinking: Science fairs spark curiosity and challenge students to think creatively. They learn to formulate hypotheses, test their ideas, analyze results, and draw conclusions – all valuable skills for life. Building Confidence and Communication Skills: Presenting projects at a science fair fosters confidence and public speaking skills. Students learn to explain their work clearly and concisely, making them more effective communicators. Problem-Solving Prowess: From troubleshooting experiments to analyzing data, science fairs encourage students to develop problem-solving skills that benefit them both in and out of the classroom. #UlaanbaatarEmpathySchool #ScienceFair #ScienceExhibition

Beyond Baking Soda Volcanoes: Why Science Fairs Spark a Love of Learning The science fair. For some, it conjures memories of erupting volcanoes and the ever-present vinegar and baking soda reaction. But these exhibitions are about far more than just a fizzy display. Science fairs are crucial events that ignite a passion for science, cultivate essential skills, and prepare students for a future driven by innovation. At the heart of a science fair lies the scientific method. Students embark on a journey of discovery, formulating questions, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. This hands-on approach transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences. They don't just learn about photosynthesis, they design experiments to observe it in action. Science fairs aren't just about scientific knowledge; they're about building essential skills. From research and critical thinking to problem-solving and communication, the process of creating a project hones these abilities in a real-world context. Students must manage their time, overcome challenges, and present their findings clearly and concisely – all valuable tools for future success, regardless of their chosen path. The exhibition itself fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration. Students are exposed to a wide range of scientific topics, sparking an interest in areas they may not have considered before. Witnessing the creativity and ingenuity of their peers can further ignite their passion for scientific exploration. Science fairs also play a role in shaping future generations. By showcasing the practical applications of science, they open students' eyes to the exciting possibilities of STEM careers. They might discover a fascination with environmental science, be inspired by the latest robotics project, or develop a talent for medical research. The impact of science fairs extends beyond the individual student. These events cultivate a community of scientific inquiry. Students have the opportunity to share their work, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative spirit is essential for fostering a future generation of scientists and innovators who can tackle complex challenges together. So, the next time you see a science fair project, remember, it's not just about the volcano or the prize. It's about igniting a love of learning, developing critical skills, and inspiring the next wave of scientific discovery. #ScienceFair #ScienceExhibition #InquiryBasedLearning

Congrats, to MnDRIVE Environment/Louis Stokes NorthStar STEM Alliance Summer research intern, Lay Lay (Mentor: Dr. Cara Santelli)! She will assist the Santelli lab summer research project which is focused on examining the impact of contaminants such as metals and microplastics within Twin Cities soils and stormwater as well as understanding how these contaminants move through urban ecosystems to design better remediation and mitigation strategies. Research will include fieldwork to collect samples and lab analysis, and Lay Lay will choose a geochemistry or microbiology-focused project. The geochemistry project will compare the amount and type of contaminants within water, soil, and stormwater sediment samples using analytical chemistry techniques. Students in the microbiology-focused project will identify the microbial communities in soil and water samples using DNA-based approaches to analyze potential interactions between microbes and contaminants. #MnDRIVE #MnDRIVEEnvironment #UMN #LSNSSA

Great opportunity to help Virginia Institute of Marine Science forge the way for future ocean careers. To summarize their description: A Virginia Institute of Marine Science study “Pathways to Ocean Science Careers: Which significant life experiences play a key role?” will help end users make data driven decisions about future programming and educational support pathways. The target end users are educators, faculty who mentor and recruit students, and funding agencies that offer internships/fellowships in ocean sciences. https://lnkd.in/eRUwzX3y They are including estuary, coastal, great lakes, and marine science under the umbrella term Ocean Science. "Ocean Science Career" is any work related to oceans, estuaries, the coastal zone or great lakes regions, and not exclusive to academia. They are looking for survey respondents from industry, government, and non-profits as well. It only takes about ten minutes. A little hint - when using the sliders to show amount of agreement, you still have to move the slider a little to register a "1" or it thinks you did not answer the question.

My work is all about getting young people doing real scientific research. This isn’t only to make their lessons more engaging and relevant or prepare them for future careers in STEM, although these are brilliant benefits. It's also about the incredible insights these young people have to offer to science today. Whether mapping penguin colonies in the Antarctic or exploring new materials for speed bumps, students love to experiment. But what about us? Curricular reform is long overdue and there is a chance for change. Are we ready to transform our approach so that we really get the best of our young people, today and in the future? https://lnkd.in/djPEa5CZ

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY Program: REU Summer Undergraduate Research Focus (SURF): Anthropogenic Impacts on Coastal and Marine Systems Entity: Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi Location: Texas, US Stipend: $7,000 Term: Summer 2024 Deadline: March 15, 2024 Description: “SURF REU students will engage in multidisciplinary research that addresses contemporary societal challenges such as climate change, coastal and oceanographic environmental issues, water resource management, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. Activities will include field sample collection, analytical instrumentation theory and application, laboratory training, modeling, and ethics and professionalism preparation.” Eligibility: -Students enrolled in geosciences or related programs at 2- or 4-year institutes.  -Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.  -We encourage applicants from institutes with limited research opportunities, underrepresented groups in STEM, first and second year undergraduates and persons with disabilities. For more information: https://lnkd.in/e555yzk2 #conservationopportunity #conservationopportunitypr #researchopportunities #texas #corpuschristi #research