Geological Society of America

T233 Better Together: Partnerships That Facilitate or Enhance Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Geoscience Education

Tuesday, 24 October 2017
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 3A

SUPPORTING LOCAL PATHWAYS LINKING GEOSCIENCE LEARNING TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE EARTHCONNECTIONS ALLIANCE

Paper number: T233-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:50 PM – 3:10 PM

Authors

Cathryn Manduca Presenting Author
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Barbara Nagle
University of California, Berkeley, CA
Norma Neely
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Rajul Pandya
American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC
Karen Peterman
Durham, NC
John Taber
IRIS, Washington, DC
Mark Benthien
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Donna Charlevoix
UNAVCO, Boulder, CO
Felicia Davis
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Kathy Ellins
The University of Texas at AustinJackson School of Geosciences, Austin, TX
Darryl Haddock
Atlanta,, GA
Ellen Iverson
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Sally McGill
California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA
Aisha R. Morris
UNAVCO, Inc, Boulder, CO

Abstract

The EarthConnections alliance is developing regionally focused, Earth education pathways. These pathways support and guide students from engagement in relevant, Earth-related science at an early age through the many steps and transitions to geoscience-related careers. Rooted in existing regional activities, pathways are developed using a process that engages regional stakeholders and community members with EarthConnections partners. Together they connect, sequence, and create multiple learning opportunities that link geoscience education and community service to address one or more local geoscience issues. By intertwining Earth education with local community service, we aspire to increase the resilience of communities in the face of environmental hazards and limited Earth resources while increasing the diversity of students seeking to enter the geoscience workforce.

Learning from its three initial pilots (Atlanta, Oklahoma Tribal Nations, and San Bernardino), the EarthConnections alliance is developing processes and activities that can help other communities develop geoscience pathways that engage students with geoscience-related opportunities or challenges in their communities. These include a collective impact framework to support and monitor progress, pathway mapping tools, access to national partners, and a growing collection of examples and pathway elements. The alliance approach strengthens partnerships within the local community while leveraging national geoscience education programs.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-307372

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