BUILDING A PIPELINE FROM HIGH SCHOOLS TO COLLEGE GEOLOGY PROGRAMS: INSIGHTS FROM A 20-YEAR PROGRAM IN MICHIGAN

Since 2001, 2,677 high school students have taken a geology exam for college credit. 1,519 students have passed the exam. At least 65 have completed geology as their major with 17 going on for a Master’s degree and 2 earning PhDs. Most of these students are from Hudsonville High School. The exam mirrors a general education physical geology class. The program was supported by two NSF grants to grow the number of participating universities and high schools. More than 15 universities and colleges have awarded credit and 20 high schools have tested their students. The impacts are numerous. The program supports Earth science teachers to offer a rigorous geology course. All students are exposed to the basic concepts of geoscience. Students passing the exam earn credit and save money and time. Exposure in high school leads some students to careers in geoscience. Factors leading to success include teacher background and motivation, years in program, course duration, field trips, and alumni support. Although complicated, factors influencing lower success rates include teacher motivation and engagement with the program, experience in teaching geology, significance of the exam to their high school grade, and school support.