BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION A NEXT STEP: WORKING WITH EXPERT EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS TO CREATE MORE HIGHLY QUALIFIED EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS

The geologic community (industry, academia, government) needs to provide educators with age-appropriate resources as well as generate educational opportunities -- discussion, activities, and community participation. The foundation of education begins in the elementary school (K-5) where the most assistance is needed because teachers are least prepared to teach science. The middle and high school levels (6-12) have a shortage of geologically knowledgeable teachers, and all levels have pressures to teach to the End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests. Many times geology is pushed aside because of these pressures. These high school graduates are then ill prepared to be successful in college level science courses or make appropriate decisions as part of the general public regarding health, safety and economy in an era with increasing misinformation and disinformation.

More highly qualified earth science teachers are needed to teach and mentor students and new, or geologically inexperienced, teachers to understand the interconnectedness of geology over a wider range of topics than identifying rocks and minerals and learning the layers of the Earth. Industry, Government and Academia can support teachers by providing understandable information in an understandable format so that real world connections can be made. Another aspect to this process is the adoption of the newly revised National Curriculum and the Race to the Top program. We encourage educators and geoscientists to submit their best practices for engaging students, teachers and the public in Earth Science education.