T216 Research and Instructional Approaches of Access and Inclusion to Increase Diversity in the Geosciences

Wednesday, 7 November 2012
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
209AB

MINORITY EDUCATION THROUGH TRAVELING AND LEARNING IN THE SCIENCES: A COLLABORATION TO ENGAGE UNDERREPRESENTED TEENS IN FIELD-BASED EARTH SCIENCES

Paper number: T216-16
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

The NSF funded project Minority Education Through Traveling and Learning in the Sciences (METALS) program aligns four universities with strong field geology programs, an institutional history of emphasizing teaching and mentoring in the geosciences, and a commitment to providing access to college for underrepresented minorities. The METALS partnership between geoscience diversity programs at San Francisco State University (SFSU), the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the University of New Orleans (UNO), and Purdue University is designed to create unique and pivotal learning experiences for high school students in field settings. To this end, SFSU, UTEP, and UNO each recruit 10 minority high school students for the summer trip and Purdue recruits current college minority students to serve as mentors for the high school students. The four groups meet to travel together to learn about the geology of the US; field trip areas have included the Colorado plateau, Mississippi delta, and the northern Rocky Mountains. A centerpiece of the course is hands-on exercises built around introducing minority students to the role of earth sciences in their personal lives and in their communities.

Results from METALS field trips year one and two are clearly articulated in the evaluation materials produced by evaluator Elsa Bailey. Overall, the METALS program field trip experience is perceived as (1) providing new opportunities for students who are unfamiliar with geoscience in the field; (2) a very engaging experience; (3) a unique and innovative effort; and (4) a combination of both geology and societally-connected content. Further recommendations resulting from the program evaluation include: Building on the successful practices of the program, which include small group, hands-on activities, daily interactions among students and mentors, and journaling and note-taking; and expanding student preparation prior to the field trips.

This paper will discuss the near-term results of strategies applied to implement field experiences for a large, diverse group and the longer term results of the collaborating programs. We will also look to the future, exploring ideas for continuing mentorship for students as they progress in their academic lives and careers, and ways in which to sustain the METALS model beyond the four year NSF grant.