Thursday, September 8, 2011

New NAGT Division: Geoscience at Two-Year Colleges

The Geo2YC Organizational Committee is pleased to announce that the Geoscience at Two-Year Colleges (Geo2YC) Division has become the first professional interest division of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). The Geo2YC Division has received start-up funding from the NAGT Executive Committee to launch its mission to:

1) serve as a forum for exchanging information about 2YC geoscience programs
2) create a professional network for geoscience education at two-year colleges and other institutions with shared interests
3) sponsor NAGT 2YC activities and make recommendations to the NAGT Council
4) support and coordinate research on 2YC geoscience education
5) advocate for 2YC geoscience education within NAGT and other organizations

We welcome all NAGT members, including four-year college and university faculty with similar interests and concerns, to join the Geo2YC Division.

For Geo2YC to become a success we need your ideas and participation. One way to participate is to nominate yourself or a colleague to become an officer. Below are the primary duties and requirements for Geo2YC officers:

President - current or former 2YC professor serves 1-year term followed by 5 years on the Nominating and Election Committee
a. Convenes and chairs Executive Board meetings
b. Attends NAGT Council meetings or designates an alternate
c. Writes Division newsletter column and annual report for NAGT
Vice-President - current or former 2YC professor serves 1 year-term before becoming President
a. Participates in Executive Board meetings
b. Coordinates with liaisons to NAGT sections
Secretary/treasurer - serves 3-year term
a. Takes Executive Board meeting minutes
b. Tracks budget and maintains financial records and bank account
Newsletter Editor - serves 3-year term
a. Participates in Executive Board meetings
b. Edits quarterly electronic newsletter and sends news to other media
Webmaster - serves 3-year term
a. Participates in Executive Board meetings
b. Maintains and updates Division website on NAGT server
Archivist - serves 3-year term
a. Participates in Executive Board meetings
b. Archives documents, records, and images, and maintains membership roster

Please send the names and contact information for officer nominations to me at this address by Thursday, September 15. Membership sign-up, election of Geo2YC officers, and adoption of Division bylaws will occur later this month on the NAGT website.

We'd love to have you join Geo2YC!

Regards,

Bob Blodgett

UPDATE: Here is the URL for Geo2YC: http://nagt.org/nagt/divisions/2yc/ . The actual page is http://nagt.org/nagt/divisions/2yc/index.html but you can access it within out adding index.html.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Celebrate National Earth Science Week 2011!


From Missy Holzer at NESTA...

National Earth Science Week is around the corner! The celebration will take place October 9-15, 2011 and this year’s theme is “Our Ever Changing Earth.” Not sure what to do for that week? Go to National Earth Science Week Homepage http://www.earthsciweek.org and you will find numerous ideas related to this year’s theme. You may also purchase an Earth Science Week kit for $6.95 which is filled with posters and resources to use during the celebration and the rest of the year.

The first day of the school year can set the tone for the entire year, and we as Earth Science teachers have the best resources to ensure a terrific opening to the new school year. We have access to images and animations of exciting events, fascinating phenomenon, and perplexing puzzles in the Earth Sciences. We can stop our students in their tracks as they ask “why do we have to learn Earth Science?” by using video clips like "Why Earth Science" from AGI and available on the AGI website http://www.agiweb.org/education/resource/index.html and on YouTube. This free 7 minute video will give your students a taste of what’s in store for them for the school year, and will entice them to choose a career in one of the many fields of Earth Science. They will be captivated by the footage and the message it has that Earth Science includes everything everywhere! Best Wishes for a new school year!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Geoscience Teaching Opportunities in the California Community Colleges

Canada College in the San Mateo Community College District is seeking applicants for a full-time Earth Science Instructor. The position is open until filled, but the first screening date is 8/15/2011. There are four other part-time positions being advertised on the CCC Registry: https://www.cccregistry.org/jobs/searchForm.aspx, with the search terms "earth science" or "geology".

NSF Announces $10 Million grant to Improve Geoscience Education and Integrate with other Disciplines

"The National Science Foundation (NSF) today announced a $10 million grant for a new center to improve geoscience education and integrate the geosciences across other academic disciplines.With the support from the five-year grant, "Interdisciplinary Teaching of Geoscience for a Sustainable Future," or InTeGrate, will develop teaching materials and model programs for use in undergraduate education.

InTeGrate activities specifically target the large majority of undergraduates who do not elect to take geoscience courses, with the goal of improving overall geoscience literacy and increasing the number and diversity of graduates who will utilize this literacy to address societal issues ranging from water resource management to hazardous waste disposal."

For more information, see the announcement here

Monday, August 1, 2011

AGU Abstract Deadline - August 4

NAGT is pleased to outline a variety of geoscience education sessions planned for the Fall 2010 AGU Meeting held in San Francisco, CA, from 5-9 December, 2011. There are more than 50 education sessions at this year's meeting and you can easily see all the session names, abstracts, and conveners by going to the NAGT website - http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/meetings/AGU2011.html  .
Please submit abstracts (http://agu-fm11.abstractcentral.com/) and take part in the sessions highlighting key issues of importance to geoscience educators

The deadline for submitting an abstract to the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco is 11:59PM EDT Thursday, August 4.

(from John McDaris)

Monday, June 13, 2011

News from National NAGT (From John McDaris)


Eastern Mojave Desert (see announcement below about Far Western Section Spring Meeting, 2012)
 1. NAGT Outstanding TA Award Deadline: June 1
The deadline for nominations for NAGT's Outstanding TA Award is June 15. NAGT recognizes outstanding teaching assistants in geoscience education with up to 30 awards annually. Both undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants are eligible for the award which consists of a one year membership in NAGT, a one year subscription to the Journal of Geoscience Education, and a certificate. If there is a TA in your department that you think deserves recognition for their efforts in the classroom, nominate them using the form on the program's webpage (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/ta.html ).
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2. NAGT Activities at GSA: Meetings, Receptions, Sessions, Workshops, and Field Trips

http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/meetings/GSA11.html

NAGT Meetings and Receptions have been added to the Activities page for the 2011 GSA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN. Dates and times for these meetings still need to be confirmed but are available now so that members can begin making their plans to attend. Location information for the events will be added to the page as soon as it becomes available. In addition, the Activities page lists lists topical sessions, workshops, and field trips being sponsored by NAGT or it's sponsored projects.

Abstract submission for topical sessions is ongoing with a deadline of July 26 and registration for the meeting and workshops is now open as well with an Early Registration deadline of September 6. So check out the great offerings and join your fellow educators by taking part in several of these wonderful opportunities.
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3. New NAGT Officers for 2011-12

Please join us in congratulating the new officers that were elected in this year's election.

Aida Awad (Maine East High School) - 2nd Vice President

Tamara Shapiro Ledley, PhD (Center for Science Teaching and Learning, TERC) - Councilor

Karl Wirth (Macalester College) - Councilor

You can read more about each of the new officers on the new officers biography page (http://nagt.org/nagt/news/54555.html). Their terms in the NAGT leadership will begin with the Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the GSA meeting this October in Minneapolis.
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4. Draft Position Statement on High School Earth Science Instruction

In keeping with NAGT's core mission "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," a new draft position statement on High School Earth Science Instruction has been developed to establish NAGT's perspective on this important issue.

The Executive Committee invites all NAGT members to comment on the draft statement during the open comment period running from June 6 - September 6, 2011. The draft statement, along with all submitted feedback, will be presented to NAGT Council and voted upon at the Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the GSA meeting in October, 2011, in Minneapolis.

You can read and download the text of the draft position statement by going to http://nagt.org/nagt/policy/high-school.html. Comments can be left in discussion threads at the bottom of the page or emailed directly to the Executive Director.
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5. 2011 Award Announcements
Some of the NAGT awards programs have announced their winners for 2011. Be sure to check out the program pages on the website for more information about the awards and recipients.

Neil Miner Award (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/miner.html)

Dr. Marjorie J. McKinney and the late Dr. F. Kenneth McKinney

James H Shea Award (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/shea.html)

Dr. Naomi Oreskes, University of California San Diego

Bob Christman Distinguished Service Award (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/christman.html)

Dr. Bob Ridky, US Geological Survey

USGS/NAGT Cooperative Field Training Program (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/usgs_field.html)

44 students have been selected as the 2011 class of USGS interns. These individuals will be hired by USGS for a period of up to 5 months and work on projects and be mentored by USGS scientists. Check out the program page for a full listing of the 2011 interns and the projects they will be working on this year.

Dottie LaLonde Stout Professional Development Grants (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/stout.html)

Pete Berquist, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA

Shelley Jaye, North Virginia Community College, Fairfax, VA

Kimberly Thompson, Annistown Elementary School, Snellville, GA

Christine Witkowski, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT

Scholarships for Field Study (http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html)

For 2011, scholarships were granted to 18 undergraduate students studying geoscience to help offset the cost of attending a field camp or other field-based course. Included in the total are two scholarships awarded in conjunction with the Association of Women Geoscientists. See the Field Scholarship page for a listing of the students and their institutions.
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6. North Central Section Meeting and Field Trip: Sinks Canyon Area, Lander, Wyoming, July 20-22

Share curriculum ideas with other geoscience educators in the peaceful setting of Sinks Canyon. Followed by an optional, two-day field trip. Information and registration materials are available on the North Central Section website (http://nagt.org/nagt/organization/north-central/11meeting.html). Contact Suki Smaglik with any questions or comments.
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7. Far West Section Spring 2012 Meeting: El Camino College, Torrance, California, March 2-4, 2012

El Camino College will be hosting the spring 2012 National Association of Geoscience Teachers Conference at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, California on March 2 - 4, 2012. Field trips will focus on various aspects of the Mojave Desert and are currently being planned. Zzyzx (which is pronounced zy - zicks with emphasis on the "zy"), California has a colorful history of its own and once was a resort which featured mineral springs and mud baths, and was renowned as a health resort. Some of these facilities are partially preserved and make for wonderful photographic opportunities with the background of Soda Dry Lake. Today, the California State University system has established a consortium which administers the Desert Studies Center, facilitates research in a variety of disciplines, and aids the preservation of the endangered Mohave tui chub.

Baker, California is located 11 miles to the north east from the Desert Studies Center and has a variety of motels, restaurants, gas stations, and other facilities, some of which are quite unique. "Home of the World's Tallest Thermometer" is Baker's claim to fame and the height of the thermometer at 134 feet or 41 meters was selected when the community recorded the highest temperature ever recorded in the United States (in Death Valley) at 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913. However, it is also a gateway to Death Valley and other scenic areas of the Mohave Desert. Many travelers come to know Baker as they fill their gas tanks during their excursions to and from Las Vegas, Nevada to Los Angeles, California. Baker, California is approximately 177 miles or 285 kilometers north east of Los Angeles, California. Las Vegas, Nevada is located about 88 miles or 142 kilometers to the north east of Baker, California.

The Desert Studies Center has a meeting room, an area for social gatherings and poster sessions, audio visual capabilities with wireless internet, dormitory facilities (advanced registration required and individuals bring their own bedding or sleeping bag), shower facilities, a chef who will prepare the hot breakfasts, dinners and packaged lunches, a store which features items related to Zzyzx, wonderful star gazing opportunities (clear skies permitting), and a wonderful view of Soda Dry Lake, the California Fan Palms and the Chub Pond. All of the field trips will leave from the Desert Studies Center.

In addition to the field trips, workshops, the banquet, and the NAGT Far Western Section business meeting, student posters are strongly encouraged. It is hoped that each school with faculty in attendance will have at least one student poster. The best posters will receive special recognition. Please plan to attend!

Please contact Lynn Fielding with any questions about the spring 2012 NAGT Meeting.
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8. Field Experience for Earth Science Teachers - Learn About Groundwater and Wells - Flagstaff, AZ

NGWA, Arizona Project WET (part of the University of Arizona), and Northern Arizona University, as well as practicing groundwater professionals are collaborating to provide this nontraditional, insightful, and memorable educational opportunity taking place in the shadow of the Grand Canyon.

During the course, participants will:

Conduct an aquifer (pumping) test

Observe the influence of surface water/groundwater interaction in actual field conditions

Identify geologic formations and recognize their capacity for groundwater production

Experience the drilling, construction, and development of a water supply well

Interact and confer with practicing groundwater professionals in real-world circumstances

Learn how to infuse 21st century learning, communication, and collaborative learning skills into classroom instruction

Deepen your content knowledge about the groundwater resource

Discover how to model the inquiry process using problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with local, regional, and national content

More detail on the course is available at http://info.ngwa.org/events/137jul11.cfm.
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9. NESTA Survey of Earth and Space Science Teachers
In order to better serve Earth and space science teachers, the National Earth Science Teachers Association has prepared an anonymous survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NK7ZDGX) to gather information about your Earth and space science education needs and concerns, your satisfaction with NESTA services (if you are a member), and your ideas about how NESTA can serve you better. Please take a moment to complete this survey at your earliest convenience. You may receive notice about this survey from a variety of sources, but please be sure to only complete the survey once! Thanks so much for your time and effort!
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10. Community Advertisements

Freelance Writer Editor/Science

Words & Numbers (http://wordsandnumnbers.com/ ), a leading developer of educational content, is seeking contract or freelance writers and editors to work on a variety of projects.

http://nagt.org/nagt/news/ads/51260.html

Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Associate, Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center) at the University of Maine

The Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center) at the University of Maine seeks applicants for postdoctoral positions in physical sciences education research (chemistry, physics, Earth sciences). Candidates must have a Ph.D. in science, science education, or a closely related field; have a strong research record in discipline-based education research; and have demonstrated excellence in teaching.

http://nagt.org/nagt/news/ads/52381.html  

Historic Narrow-gauge Railroad Geology Train Trip

Geology Train Excursion on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad along the Colorado-New Mexico border with stops to examine geologically interesting sites. The day-long trip will be on June 26th, 2011.

http://nagt.org/nagt/news/ads/53032.html  

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Save the Date: March 2-4, 2012, Meeting at Zzyzx!


Save the Date!

El Camino College will be hosting the spring 2012 National Association of Geoscience Teachers Conference at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, California on March 2 – 4, 2012. Field trips will focus on various aspects of the Mojave Desert and are currently being planned. In addition to the field trips, workshops, the banquet, and the NAGT Far Western Section business meeting, student posters are strongly encouraged. It is hoped that each school with faculty in attendance will have at least one student poster. The best posters will receive special recognition. Please plan to attend!

Please contact Lynn Fielding at lfielding@elcamino.edu with any questions about the spring 2012 NAGT Meeting.