INCREASING ENGAGEMENT & INTEREST IN GEOSCIENCES AT GARRETT HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, & RELATIONSHIPS WITH ACADEMIA

The future of geoscience education is often depicted as bleak, surrounded by the closure of geoscience departments in universities all across the country. Remaining universities are looking toward research to find methods to maintain their numbers. However, universities are missing the key to survival, and that is a strong connection to the K12 system. This presentation discusses the challenges facing K12 Earth Science education and how connections, partnerships, and relationships are critical to the survival and growth of geosciences within academia. This is a story of a small, rural school in northeast Indiana which has revolutionized its approach to teaching Earth Science, and the roles universities, geoscience organizations, and educators have played in exciting and engaging Garrett High School students in the geosciences. Strategies include immersive, guided field trips, tailoring curriculum around the earth science literacy standards, workshop opportunities for teachers and students, and strong connections to outreach teams from colleges and universities. There are simple and inexpensive measures academia can implement which may help improve interest in their departments. Learn how universities could perhaps increase enrollment in their geoscience departments through the use of immersive learning experiences, meaningful connections, and building relationships with students in the K12 environment.