Building an Effective and Affordable K-12 Geoscience Outreach Program from the Ground Up: A Simple Model for Universities

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Building an Effective and Affordable K-12 Geoscience Outreach Program from the Ground Up: A Simple Model for Universities
Language: English
Authors: Dahl, Robyn Mieko, Droser, Mary L.
Source: Journal of Geoscience Education. Feb 2016 64(1):5-16.
Availability: National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Carleton College W-SERC, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Tel: 540-568-6675; Fax: 540-568-8058; e-mail: jge@jmu.edu; Website: http://nagt-jge.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2016
Sponsoring Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Junior High Schools
Descriptors: Earth Science, Science Course Improvement Projects, Cost Effectiveness, STEM Education, College School Cooperation, Mentors, Community Education, Demography, Institutional Characteristics, Behavioral Objectives, Program Design, Program Implementation, Case Studies, Middle School Students, Program Descriptions
Geographic Terms: California
DOI: 10.5408/15-100.1
ISSN: 1089-9995
Abstract: University earth science departments seeking to establish meaningful geoscience outreach programs often pursue large-scale, grant-funded programs. Although this type of outreach is highly successful, it is also extremely costly, and grant funding can be difficult to secure. Here, we present the Geoscience Education Outreach Program (GEOP), a small-scale, very affordable model tested for 5 y in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). GEOP provides in-class presentations for local K-8 classrooms; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentoring for middle and high school students; day-long events on the UCR campus for middle and high school students; and it allows UCR Department of Earth Sciences to participate in a wide range of community events. The program is managed by UCR graduate students, affects ~4,000 people (K-12 students, UCR students, the Riverside community at large) and operates for less than $3,000 U.S. annually. The GEOP model prioritizes simplicity, flexibility, and affordability to best meet the educational needs of Riverside County, California.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 36
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1091118
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:University earth science departments seeking to establish meaningful geoscience outreach programs often pursue large-scale, grant-funded programs. Although this type of outreach is highly successful, it is also extremely costly, and grant funding can be difficult to secure. Here, we present the Geoscience Education Outreach Program (GEOP), a small-scale, very affordable model tested for 5 y in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). GEOP provides in-class presentations for local K-8 classrooms; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentoring for middle and high school students; day-long events on the UCR campus for middle and high school students; and it allows UCR Department of Earth Sciences to participate in a wide range of community events. The program is managed by UCR graduate students, affects ~4,000 people (K-12 students, UCR students, the Riverside community at large) and operates for less than $3,000 U.S. annually. The GEOP model prioritizes simplicity, flexibility, and affordability to best meet the educational needs of Riverside County, California.
ISSN:1089-9995
DOI:10.5408/15-100.1