ENGAGING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH AS A KEY COMPONENT TO STEM RECRUITMENT

A summer Shadowing Research and Mentoring Program (SRMP) is designed for STEM and diverse high school students who have an interest in research in geosciences and to expose them to career pathways or degrees in geosciences. First generation college-bound students, students with English as a second language, and those with disabilities were given priority consideration. The SRMP provides an opportunity for these students to participate in ongoing research conducted by geoscience and STEM faculty serving as mentors. The program develops research teams, each led by two faculty mentors, who collaborate and provide participants with opportunities to explore and conduct geoscience research projects that are aligned with the participants’ interests and background experiences. Goals of the SRMP include: a) changing common misconceptions of gender, ability, and cultural stereotypes associated with geoscientists, b) helping students understand how geoscience skills can prepare them for the workforce, c) practicing skills that can be leveraged into a wide range of jobs, and d) developing understandings on how to market their strengths to prospective employers. During the first run of the program, students participating in the research groups engaged in activities that centered on geospatial analysis, designing experiments to test sensitivity of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-Mounted LiDAR, understanding the intersection of science and policy through a case study involving the Savannah port facility, and sedimentology and micropaleontology. Of all the participants who completed the first SRMP, 85.7% were female, 14% identified as having a disability, at least 14% of participants were first-generation college-bound students, and at least 14% of participants were students who reported having English as a second language. Currently, 43% of first-run SRMP participants are enrolled in an introductory geology course at UNG (dual enrollment) and 43% of total participants showed strong interest in pursuing a geology degree. One student is accepted to the geology program at the Colorado School of Mines to pursue a geology degree commencing Fall 2024. Additionally, 100% of participants surveyed indicated that they are planning to attend a 4 year college or university in a STEM related field after graduating from high school.