IMPROVING GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION PATHWAYS THROUGH ENGAGING SCIENTIFIC AND CAREER EXPERIENCES

Recognizing the growing importance of two-year colleges (2YCs) as a starting point for students who earn bachelor's degrees at 4-year institutions (4YCs), Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and University of Rhode Island (URI) are implementing a number of modifications and new programs that are aimed at increasing the number and diversity of geoscientists in each institution's programs. The goals of this program are to: (1) improve the 2YC/4YC transfer rate in the geosciences in Rhode Island; (2) increase the number and diversity of geoscience graduates; (3) enhance student training in geoscience and STEM­related fields; and, (4) contribute to the evidence base of successful practices in geoscience education. CCRI and URI are putting in place both on and off-campus components, including: targeted improvements to gateway courses; systematic enhancements of the undergraduate curriculum in terms of data-rich activities, collaborative learning, and field experiences; streamlining of the transfer path into geosciences; a new research-focused course team-taught across institutions; a workshop engaging students in the process of applying for internships and research opportunities; a series of information-sharing and mentoring events for prospective geoscience majors. These experiences are being integrated into and scaffolded with the undergradute curriculum that are based on research­identified recommendations and strategies to reduce barriers for becoming and remaining a geoscience major. The relative importance of each factor for increasing student involvement and greater diversity is being evaluated, with specific attention to the case of 2YC-4YC geoscience transfer students. In this way, future programs can focus policies and resources on highly effective and data-backed geoscience recuritment and retention activities.