T184 Strategies and Best Practices in the Development and Execution of Youth Outreach Programs (Posters)

Tuesday, 24 September 2024
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Hall D

DEVELOPING A HOLISTIC, YOUTH-LED AND COMMUNITY-CENTRIC GEOSCIENCE OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS IN CALIFORNIA’S SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Paper number: T184-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) region has been affected by severe environmental challenges (drought, water and air pollution, extreme heat), the effects of which are compounded by climate change and disproportionately impact socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. As a regional comprehensive university, Fresno State serves the SJV and hosts a diverse student body where the majority of undergraduates are Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Black (55%, 9.8%, and 2.7%, respectively); 68% are First Generation college students; and 64% are Pell-grant eligible. Given that most of our students come from and stay in the SJV, they come with robust “funds of knowledge” and a commitment to serve their community that directly contributes to solving current and future environmental challenges. Despite being underserved by Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as environmental movements and careers, these students report a greater commitment to addressing social justice issues than their White peers. However, these student perspectives and voices are often missing from the content and conversation in geoscience classes and environmental movements. To support geoscience workforce needs, climate literacy, and address environmental justice issues in the SJV and beyond, there is a critical need to engage students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, especially students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities. Here, we share our results from the past two years, where we leveraged several initiatives to support the development of holistic, youth-led and community-centric geoscience outreach efforts. Definitive features of these efforts include externally funded programs such as California Climate Action Corps (CCAC), Central Valley College Corps (CVCC), Community-Based Research Assistantships (CBRA), Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) and Americorps, all of which are designed to financially support students or early career professionals. Utilizing the structure and resources provided through these programs, combined with additional grant funding, we integrated youth-led education and outreach into curriculum, co-curricular activities and student life across our campus. These efforts also contribute to the >1 million hours of service our university provides each year to our local communities.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 56, No. 5

doi: 10.1130/abs/2024AM-404938

© Copyright 2024 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.