1. Cultivating the Next Generation Geoscience Workforce: The View from NSF Jill L. Karsten & Lina C. Patino NSF Directorate for Geosciences 2008 Joint Annual Meeting

2. ALL GEOSCIENCES DIRECTORATE % of Total Personnel $ Awarded YEAR 50% SENIOR OTHER GRAD STUD POST DOC Undergrad

3. SENIOR DIVISION OF EARTH SCIENCES OTHER GRAD STUD POST DOC Undergrad YEAR % of Total Personnel $ Awarded 45%

6. The Geosciences are a highly attractive field..... The work is sophisticated, interdisciplinary, socially relevant and fun! There is high demand – jobs to grow ~22% by 2016 New industries and jobs will emerge in low-carbon economy Spatial and systems thinking skills are useful in many other occupations..... But, where are the students?! Career opportunities are unknown or unattractive Weakness of K-12 geoscience education is a barrier Undergraduate programs have not fully evolved The needs of a diverse talent pool are not being addressed

7. GEO’s Investments in Education & Diversity Emphasis Areas: Integrating Geoscience Research and Education Developing the Future Geoscience Workforce Strengthening Geoscience Education Broadening Participation in the Geosciences Promoting Public Literacy in the Geosciences Fostering Innovative Geoscience Education Research

8. Current Programs in the GEO Portfolio Office of the Assistant Director Programs: Geoscience Education (GeoEd) Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG) Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Geoscience Teacher Training (GEO-Teach) Division Programs: Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) EAR Post-doctoral Fellowship Program Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) REU, RET GEO also participates in NSF-wide programs: Ethics Education in Science & Engineering GK-12, IGERT, CAREER, ADVANCE

9. Integrating Geoscience Research and Education GLOBE Program Earth System Science Projects Research Experiences for Undergraduates Research Experiences for Teachers MREFC Education & Outreach Activities EarthScope SAHRA NCED

10. Developing the Future Geoscience Workforce EAR Post-doctoral Fellowships Mentoring & early career networks Preparing Future Faculty / On the Cutting Edge Resources Regional grants conferences........ But, emphasis has been on academic side; there is a need for greater collaboration with private sector.

11. Strengthening Geoscience Education Professional Development for Teachers (GEO-Teach) Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) Transforming Earth System Science Education (TESSE) Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) www.dlese.org Science Education Resource Center (SERC) serc.carleton.edu Innovative, hands-on curricula Resources for informal science educators

12. Broadening Participation in the Geosciences GEO supports an array of programs that provide K-20 students with research experiences in the geosciences, mentoring, networking, and leadership professional development.

13. Promoting Public Literacy in the Geosciences Earth System Science Literacy Initiative: Literacy frameworks now exist for Ocean, Atmospheric Science, Climate and Earth Science (under revision) Next step is to integrate them into a comprehensive Earth System Science Literacy Framework EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY – Learn More TOWN HALL - Monday 10/6 12:00 – 1:00 PM in CC Room 342 AD PRESENTATIONS – Tuesday 10/7 2:00 & 2:15 PM in CC Room 330 B

14. Fostering Innovative Geoscience Education Research Linking education theory, pedagogy, and cognitive science with geoscience content to improve: Using visualizations to teach geoscience Using data in the classroom Creating new K-16 curricula Developing spatial thinking skills Addressing common misconceptions Evaluating student learning

15. Final Thoughts  Community needs to articulate common messages / goals  The ‘demand side’ of the equation needs more focus: Career opportunities Career opportunities Social relevance Social relevance National priorities National priorities STEM reform linkages STEM reform linkages  The problem is bigger than each of us – solution requires collaboration & coordination between public, private, academic, and non-profit efforts