From GSA: GeoCorps Positions Now Available for Summer 2015

GeoCorps Positions Now Available for Summer 2015!

Are you interested in doing geoscience in some of America’s most beautiful public lands?

The Geological Society of America (GSA) has posted 125+ new GeoCorps America positions for summer 2015 on the GeoCorps website! Applications can be submitted online from now through February 3, 2015 (noon, Mountain Time).

Once again, GeoCorps features paid geoscience projects in some of America’s most amazing public lands, which are managed by our partner agencies—the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. This round of projects features some of the nation's premier public lands, such as the BLM San Juan Islands National Monument (WA), White Mountain National Forest (NH), Mesa Verde National Park (CO), and Grand Canyon National Park (AZ). It also includes some extremely remote, wild places, like Denali National Park (AK), as well as sites closer to an urban setting, such as Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA). GeoCorps project areas cover a broad range of subjects, including geology, hydrology, paleontology, mapping, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), geo-hazards, education, and interpretation. There are even positions relating to astronomy and archaeology this season.

Benefits
These temporary, paid opportunities provide on-the-ground geoscience experience and include a stipend of $2,750 (or more), free housing (or a housing allowance), and in some cases, a travel allowance. Watch this video to hear directly from recent GeoCorps America participants about their experiences.

Eligibility
Geoscientists of all levels are eligible to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, professionals, faculty members, teachers, and retirees. Past GeoCorps participants are eligible to apply for "Guest Scientist" positions and "GeoCorps Diversity" positions.

Apply Now!
The GeoCorps website’s online application system is now open to receive applications, so get started on yours today! The final application deadline is February 3, 2015 (noon, Mountain Time). Apply online at the GeoCorps website.

More Information
For more information, see the official GeoCorps website, follow the GeoCorps Facebook page, subscribe to the GeoCorps Twitter feed, or contact Matthew Dawson at mdawson@geosociety.org or 303-357-1025.

Quick Links
• GeoCorps Home Page
• Summer 2015 Position Descriptions 
• How to Apply
• Eligibility Requirements
• Flier, poster, and brochure to print for friends and colleagues

Education Related Sessions at the Joint Cordilleran-Rocky Mountains GSA Meeting in Bozeman Montana May 19-21, 2014

From the GSA Education Section:

Please consider submitting an abstract to one of the four education sessions at the forthcoming joint meeting of the Rocky Mountain and Cordilleran Sections of the Geological Society of America. Many faculty teach geology using the iconic sites in the western United States and we welcome contributions with examples at all instructional levels. Place-based instruction is also a demonstrated instructional practice to help recruit students from underrepresented groups. We are also convening sessions on Field-Based Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Education and Outreach activities related to the EarthScope Program. Authors can submit abstracts for an education session in addition to another theme session.

The Rocky Mountain/Cordilleran Section meeting will be held on May 19-21 at Montana State University, Bozeman MT. There is also an extensive pre- and post-meeting field trip program. Abstract deadline is February 11, 2004. More details about this meeting can be found at: http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/rm/2014mtg/

Please forward this announcement to any interested contributors. We'll look forward to seeing you at springtime in the Rockies. Dave Mogk, Cathy Manduca, Basil Tickoff, Emily Geraghty Ward, Derek Sjostrom, Kim Hannula Education Session Conveners

T25. Teaching the Geology of Western North America. Cosponsored by National Association of Geoscience Teachers. David Mogk, Montana State University; Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin; Cathy Manduca, SERC at Carleton College

This session will feature teaching strategies that focus on the geology of western North America from introductory courses to “core” geoscience courses for majors. Examples and case studies that cover geoscience resources, hazards, geology of the national parks, use of geoscience databases, and EarthScope science are encouraged.

 T27. Field-Based Research Experiences for Undergraduates. Cosponsored by Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR); National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Emily Geraghty Ward, Rocky Mountain College; Derek Sjostrom, Rocky Mountain College; David Mogk, Montana State University; Kim Hannula, Fort Lewis College

This session will highlight the variety of undergraduate research projects happening in the geosciences and how they are being implemented at different types of institutions. The session is open to students who would like to present their research findings and faculty mentors who can speak to the effectiveness of these research experiences on student learning.

 T28. Teaching Geoscience in the Context of Place and Culture for Sustainability and Diversity. Steven Semken, Arizona State University; David Mogk, Montana State University

 Our senses of place and cultural perspectives influence—and provide relevant context and meaning for—the ways that we teach about geoscience. Place-based and culturally informed geoscience teaching is that which intentionally leverages the diverse meanings people make in geologically illustrative places, the attachments students and instructors affix to such places, and the cultural knowledge of groups that reside in these places (whether indigenous, historically resident, or recent arrivals). These methods, applied in formal or free-choice learning contexts, are advocated to better engage underrepresented minority students, enrich the senses of place of all learners, and to promote environmental and cultural sustainability in places and regions. This session welcomes presentations that highlight current practices, theoretical models, and authentic assessment of place-based and culturally informed geoscience teaching.

 T24. EarthScope: Innovative Research, Education, and Outreach Activities. Steven Semken, Arizona State University

The EarthScope Program began its scientific journey in the western United States, then traversed eastward over the past decade, and will soon cover Alaska. Data from this unprecedented high-definition, continental-scale study of crust, mantle, and other Earth systems, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, have already led to new findings on the evolution and dynamics of the Cordillera and Rocky Mountains (including the overlying cryosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere). EarthScope education and outreach programs are sharing these findings with diverse stakeholders in the region. This session welcomes presentations by all geoscientists and geoscience educators who use EarthScope science and products in their work, in any and all ways.

Subaru/GSA Minority Scholarships Announced

From the Geological Society of America:

We are pleased to announce that Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with GSA, has funded a scholarship program to encourage minority undergraduate students to continue their studies in the geosciences.

The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program provides $1,000 to one student at an accredited university or college in each of the six North-American GSA regional Sections as nominated by the GSA Campus Representatives. The funds are to be used to purchase text books, pay college fees, or attend GSA field trips or conferences.

In addition to the cash award, a complimentary student membership for 2014 will be granted. Meeting registration for this year’s GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado will also be provided where a student awards reception will be held.

We are asking our Campus Reps to nominate one (1) minority student whom they believe will benefit and be encouraged to continue their studies in the geosciences by receiving this award.

Student Requirements for Nomination:

Be a U.S. citizen and a member of a minority group (a ‘minority’ is described by the U.S. Census Bureau as being of Hispanic or Latino, African-American or Black, Asian, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander ethnicity/race);

Has taken at least two (2) introductory (first year) geoscience courses;

Be enrolled in additional geoscience courses in the upcoming academic year; and

Be a current undergraduate student member of GSA. Please find information on our membership assistance program here.

Campus Rep Responsibilities and Timeline

Verify with the student that he/she is a member of a minority group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Verify that the student has completed two introductory geoscience courses and is enrolled in geosciences classes for the upcoming academic year.

Complete and return the nomination form (from the GSA campus representative) via email to awards@geosociety.org no later than 8 March 2013.

Nominations will be forwarded to the GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee for review.

All awards will be announced by 1 June 2013.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for your minority students, sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Diane Lorenz-Olsen
Grants, Awards, and Recognition
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO 80301
awards@geosociety.org 
 (303) 357-1028

The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program for 2012

From the GSA Education Division:

GSA is pleased to announce that Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with GSA, has funded a scholarship program to encourage minority undergraduate GSA student members to continue their studies in the geosciences. The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program provides US $1,500 to one student at an accredited university or college in each of the seven GSA Sections as nominated by the GSA Campus Representatives. The funds are to be used to purchase text books, pay college fees, or attend GSA field trips or conferences.

In addition to the cash award, a complimentary student membership for 2013 will be granted. Meeting registration for this year’s GSA Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina will also be provided where a student awards reception will be held.

We are asking our Campus Reps to nominate one (1) minority student whom they believe will benefit and be encouraged to continue their studies in the geosciences by receiving this award.

Student Requirements for Nomination:
• Be a U.S. citizen and a member of a minority group (a ‘minority’ is described by the U.S. Census Bureau as being of Hispanic or Latino, African-American or Black, Asian, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander ethnicity/race);

• Has taken at least two (2) introductory (first year) geoscience courses;

• Be enrolled in additional geoscience courses in the upcoming academic year; and

• Be a current undergraduate student member of GSA. Students who cannot afford the cost of membership may apply for a dues waiver through the membership assistance program.

Campus Rep Responsibilities and Timeline:

• Verify with the student that he/she is a member of a minority group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau;

• Verify that the student has completed two introductory geoscience courses and is enrolled in geosciences classes for the upcoming academic year;

• Complete and return the nomination form (from GSA Campus Representatives) via email to awards@geosociety.org no later than 9 April 2012;

• Nominations will be forwarded to the GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee for review; and

• All awards will be announced by 1 June 2012.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for your minority undergraduate students to be sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Diane Lorenz-Olsen
Grants, Awards, and Recognition
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO USA 80301
awards@geosociety.org
(303) 357-1028

Paid Geoscientist Opportunities on National Parks, National Forests, and BLM Lands

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah

GeoCorps America is a program of the Geological Society of America , in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. The program offers paid short-term geoscience positions in some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world. GeoCorps project areas include geology, hydrology, paleontology, mapping and GIS, minerals, soils, glaciology, geo-hazards, karst, education, interpretation, and more.

Spring/summer 2012 positions have been posted, and candidates may begin applying now! Additional positions will be posted over the next week. The 2012 positions include more Guest Scientist positions and GeoCorps Diversity Internships than in 2011, and will soon feature positions with the State of California Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program.

For more information, click here: http://rock.geosociety.org/g_corps/index.htm

Subaru/GSA Minority Scholarships Announced

From the Geological Society of America:

We are pleased to announce that Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with GSA, has funded a scholarship program to encourage minority undergraduate students to continue their studies in the geosciences.

The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program provides $1,000 to one student at an accredited university or college in each of the six North-American GSA regional Sections as nominated by the GSA Campus Representatives. The funds are to be used to purchase text books, pay college fees, or attend GSA field trips or conferences.

In addition to the cash award, a complimentary registration for this year’s GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado will be provided. The awardees will be acknowledged at a student awards reception on Monday, 1 November.

We are asking our Campus Reps to nominate one (1) minority student whom they believe will benefit and be encouraged to continue their studies in the geosciences by receiving this award.

Student Requirements for Nomination:

Be a U.S. citizen and a member of a minority group (a ‘minority’ is described by the U.S. Census Bureau as being of Hispanic or Latino, African-American or Black, Asian, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander ethnicity/race);

Has taken at least two (2) introductory (first year) geoscience courses;

Be enrolled in additional geoscience courses in the upcoming academic year; and

Be a GSA student member in good standing.

Campus Rep Responsibilities and Timeline

Verify with the student that he/she is a member of a minority group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Verify that the student has completed two introductory geoscience courses and is enrolled in geosciences classes for the upcoming academic year.

Complete and return the nomination form via email to awards@geosociety.org no later than 17 May 2010.

Nominations will be forwarded to the GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee for review by 1 June 2010.

All awards with be announced by 1 August 2010.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for your minority students, sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Diane Lorenz-Olsen
Grants, Awards, and Recognition
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO 80301
awards@geosociety.org
(303) 357-1028

GSA Session - Geoscience Programs at Community Colleges: Models for Success and Innovation

This note came across my virtual desk....I pass it on for your perusal (thanks to Greg Wheeler)

Hello everyone...

Eric Baer (Highline Community College in Des Moines WA) and I will be co-chairing what looks like a first time event at GSA, a topical session on community college earth science programs. Our proposal to do this was not only accepted by GSA, but is also sponsored by both NAGT and GSA GED. Furthermore, the NSF GEO Diversity and Education program is interested helping this session go forward by providing funds that would subsidize presenter travel and expenses. Many community college geoscience instructors don't attend conferences like GSA due to lack of funds. The two caveats that come with this offer are that the presenters and advocates meet with NSF to discuss what they can do to aid community college earth science and that we include a list of potential speakers for the event. It is because of this second caveat that I am writing this to all of you. I am looking to put together in the next three weeks a list of community college instructors and university faculty involved in community college / university collaborations who would be interested in speaking at the session. See below for a description of the session. If you have recommendations of community college or university faculty that you think would be interested in speaking and have experience in addressing the questions listed in the description, please forward me their names or have them contact me directly. If NSF accepts the proposal from my college (Portland Community College) then we would pay for travel and conference expenses for the presenter and a student of their choosing.Feel free to contact me if you need additional information.I look forward to hearing from you.

Frank D. Granshaw
Earth Science Instructor
Portland Community College
Sylvania Campus, Portland, OR 503-977-8236

---------------------------------------------
Session #T104: Geoscience Programs at Community Colleges: Models for Success and Innovation

Conveners
Frank D. Granshaw – Portland Community College, Portland Oregon
Eric M. Baer – Highline Community College, Seattle Washington

Description
Community College programs are diverse and multifaceted. This session will highlight a variety of programs and how they successfully achieve their goals.

Rationale:
Community College Geoscience programs are a critical part of the geoscience education system. Because they serve more than 10 million students currently enrolled in these institutions, they play a critical role in educating the general public and future graduates of colleges, training future K-12 educators and recruiting geoscience majors from a diverse and variable pool. This session will look at the questions that community college geoscientists face in fulfilling this mission. Chief among these are following:

• What makes for a strong community college earth science program?
• Given the student population of most community colleges, what is the focus of these programs, career training, geoscience literacy, or both?
• What strategies are useful for helping students become geoscience literate?
• How do community college earth science department successfully encourage and prepare geoscience majors?
• What role does university - community college and high school-community college collaborations play in making a strong program?
• How do community college geoscience programs relate the vocational programs in their own institutions?
• What role do community college geoscience courses have in providing science background for future teachers?
• How do professional networks enhance the mission of community college geoscience program?
• Given the large number of adjunct faculty teaching community college earth science courses, how do science departments mentor these faculty to help them address these questions?

Opportunities for Students with the Geological Society of America

Information from the Geological Society of America of interest to students. See your campus representative for more information. (I'm the rep for MJC).

1. 2009 Subaru Minority Student Scholarship
Follow the links for information the 2009 Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program. The details of the scholarship and eligibility are included in the application. The deadline for submitting this application is 15 August, and we hope by receiving it now we allow you sufficient time to encourage undergraduates to apply before the summer recess. As the Campus Rep, you will make the final decision on which student application to forward to GSA.

Please contact Chris McLelland or call 1.800.472.1988, ext. 1082 if you have any questions about the scholarship.

2. Submit an Abstract for the GSA Annual Meeting
Encourage your students to submit an abstract to the GSA Annual Meeting in Portland Oregon, 18-21 October 2009. Not only do we have 162 topical sessions proposed, 40 field trips, and eight enlightening Pardee Sessions, we are also lining up a number of spectacular opportunities especially for students.

3. GSA Student Membership
GSA Student membership is an incredible value. If you have students who are not members of GSA, please encourage them to join and to take advantage of this discount: Join online and save US $5 by using promotion code: Student09. Membership dues are only US $25 with this offer.