SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND ENCOURAGING INNOVATION IN GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

Education has always had a core role in the mission of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). This relates in part to the fundamental connection between the early development of a strong foundation of geoscience knowledge and the vitality of the geoscience workforce, as well as an overarching need for members of the public to understand the importance of the geosciences. AGI’s Education and Outreach Department undertakes projects in areas such as curriculum design and teacher professional development to support the work of geoscience teachers and encourage innovation by exploring the connections between geoscience education and themes such as geoheritage, sustainable development, data literacy, and more. AGI's education programs engage partners from our member societies; federal and state agencies; corporations; and elsewhere, to build resources, relationships, and strategies that enable this work. Influencing these efforts, too, is a recognition that Earth and space science teachers face challenges related to such things as the status afforded to Earth Science courses, a lack of opportunities for authentic field-based professional development, limited diversity in the geosciences, and a low level of public awareness of the significant roles that the geosciences play in society, the economy, and environmental integrity. Among those challenges, too, is a sense that Earth science teachers are seen (and/or see themselves) as separate from the rest of the geoscience community by their work, their professional contexts, and the knowledge base that informs their work. This presentation will outline the current and upcoming work of AGI’s Education and Outreach Department relative to these themes and challenges, while describing ways that members of the geoscience community can actively supporting geoscience teachers, and how enhancing that support can promote the goals of high quality and innovative geoscience education at all levels.