T122 Fostering the Next Generation: Support for Pre-College Teachers and Students by Professional Societies, Institutions, and Federal Agencies

Monday, 5 November 2012
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
210AB

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOSCIENCE TEACHERS (NAGT) SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Paper number: T122-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:55 PM – 3:10 PM

Authors

Abstract

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) works to foster improvement in the teaching of the earth sciences at all levels of formal and informal instruction, to emphasize the cultural significance of the earth sciences and to disseminate knowledge in this field to the general public. NAGT members cross all educational contexts: university and 2-year college faculty, pre-college educators, informal educators, and resource developers. Member professional roles include teacher preparation, professional development, pre-college instruction at the secondary and elementary levels, and development of learning resources. Because the Next Generation Science Standards will include geosciences to a much greater extent than in the past, teachers will need support. NAGT members are uniquely positioned to provide this support for pre-college educators as they implement the new standards.

Contributions to pre-college education include providing a voice for geoscience education through critical stakeholder comment on documents such as the Next Generation Science Standards, providing position papers on geoscience education issues such as the importance of high school Earth science instruction, and providing access to like-minded colleagues through workshops and events. NAGT has been instrumental in fostering the development of a large number of activities, including the Teach the Earth portal. NAGT provides benefits for pre-college teachers through the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award, professional development grants and the Geoscience Teachers in the Parks program. Members learn about geoscience education through the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE), the premier peer-reviewed publication for geoscience education research, through In The Trenches, a print venue for contributors to share their best teaching ideas and resources, and through newsletters. Through ten regional sections, educators participate in field excursions and develop local networks.