GEOSCIENCE PROFESSIONAL POLICY, PUBLIC POLICY, AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF GEOSCIENCES: CONTEXT FOR SCIENCE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT IN GEOSCIENCES

The relationships among geoscience professional policy, national and state public policy, and the public understanding and uses of geosciences are examined as context for science teacher development in the geosciences. Models for preparing teachers to teach the geosciences can be effectively developed and implemented when definitions of the context in which the preparation of teachers to teach geosciences are established.

Preparation of teachers to understand and effectively teach geosciences is an effort that exists as a result of national and state education policies requiring K-12 science education which includes the geosciences to a greater or lesser extent. Without that public policy, geoscience teacher preparation would generally not proceed, and general geoscience illiteracy would persist.

Likewise, the extent to which geoscience literacy development is effective depends on the geoscience professional system in which it exists. National and state public policy is influenced to a greater or lesser extent by the scientific community, especially as represented by their professional societies and academic departments policies and practices. Definitions of the place of public geoscience literacy development within the geosciences systems are required. The context for effective development of geoscience literacy exists either as integral, essential, and focused in the geosciences community, or development of public knowledge will continue to be less than effective nation-wide.

The extent to which the public, who develop public policy through their representatives in various areas of responsibility, will know, understand, and use the contributions of the geosciences is determined by the importance afforded geoscience literacy by the geoscience professional systems. The corollary to that also exists: lack of importance to the professional systems equals lack of public geoscience literacy and research funding.

Based on examination of the context for development of public understanding of geosciences, recommendations for specific actions related to internal policy and public policy contributions of the geoscience professional and academic community are suggested to provide enhanced context for improving the public understanding and use of the contributions of geosciences.