GEOBACKGROUNDS: A BRIEF SURVEY OF EXPOSURE AND KNOWLEDGE OF GEOLOGY AMONG INTRODUCTORY LEVEL GEOLOGY STUDENTS IN FLORIDA

This survey is designed to quantify knowledge of and interest in geosciences among groups of students in an introductory level geology course (ESC1000) at the University of Florida. Two unique categories define these groups: 1) timing of the most recent earth science-type course taken by the study subject (either 6th grade earth science, high school earth science, ap environmental science, or post-secondary education earth science), and 2) demographic information (detailed in design section below). A set of thirty-six questions a) identify subject’s exposure to formal geoscience teaching, demographic information, and career interests, b) evaluate the subject’s prior knowledge of broad geoscience topics that constitute a university level introductory class, and c) highlight the subject’s awareness of local Florida geology and its relation to society. The survey will be conducted from a large sample consisting of University of Florida introductory-level geology students during their first week of class in fall 2018. An analysis of variance (anova) test is appropriate to compare groups’ knowledge and interest in geoscience. Survey responses will provide valuable preliminary data for a national science foundation (NSF) grant proposal that aims to study university student’s motivations for choosing geoscience majors and careers and to broaden diversity within geoscience disciplines through a several-semester program of innovative coursework.