This article explores learning communities within geoscience field courses that have been purposely establshed to creative inclusion for students with physical disabilities.
Although there has been a welcome increase in discussion about gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), broad participation of women in STEM will not be achieved until institutions are transformed. A long-range view is needed to change the rules of the game…
People with disabilities make up the largest minority population in the U.S. yet remain sorely underrepresented in scientific disciplines that require components of field-based training such as the geosciences. This paper provides…
This commentary examines the role faculty play in broadening participation in the geosciences through the implementation of equitable and inclusive pedagogy.
Navigating a field based learning environment presents many challenges for students with physical disabilities, this article explores the outcomes of a field trip experience that was designed for students with disabilities.
Geoscience department websites are a public representation of the department and discipline. This exploratory study investigated the characteristics and culture communicated about geoscience departments through their website…
Geoscience education researchers are working to understand how we can most effectively increase our overall geoscience workforce capacity. The present study employed an inductive approach to explore the critical experiences that…
Data available from the National Science Foundation Division of Science Resources Statistics demonstrate that since 1966 fewer bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees have been awarded in the geosciences than in any other STEM…
Place-based education is locally situated, experiential, and transdisciplinary. It is informed not only by scientific knowledge of places and regions, but also by the humanistic meanings and affective attachments (senses of place)…
There is a lack of diversity in the geosciences and on contributing factor might be the lack of representation of diversity faculty. In addition to that the geosciences discipline tends to attract students that have had more exposure to the outdoors, which can be unfamiliar terrain for students…
The geosciences benefit from diverse student perspectives and backgrounds, but the field-based learning requirements pose barriers to students with disabilities. If carefully designed, fieldwork can be made…
The geosciences have the lowest ethnic and racial diversity in all of the STEM fields and this might be related to students' sense of belonging. Underrepresented students in the geosciences are often faced with imposter syndrome and or stereotype threat, which influences how they perceive…
We describe a philosophy and process by which cultural awareness and traditional ways of knowing were incorporated into courses on communicating ocean sciences for college and graduate students in Hawai‘i. The result is a…
This article presents an assessment of a field camp experience that focuses on a more relevant curriculum for the students being served today. These efforts are being made to impact the declining numbers of students interested in geoscience majors.
This paper examines past and current experiences with fun and playfulness of participants in two summers of an NSF funded summer research experiences for undergraduates (REU) geosciences program. Thirty students responded to…
The author discusses their experiences as a member of the LGBT community within the geosciences discipline. The author references a study conducted in 2015 that surveyed LGBT people in STEM fields.
Despite gains over the last decade, the geoscience student population in the United States today continues to lag other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines in terms of diversity. Minority-serving…
The author describes their personal experience as a person with a disability in the geosciences. Given the physical demands of the discipline, this presents challenges for participants, but a better understanding and more inclusive practices in the geosciences can create a more welcoming…
NOVA interviewed a geoscientist to inquiry about the diversity gap within the geosciences. The geoscientist outlines reasons such as limited opportunities to take geoscience courses in high school as well as limited exposure to earth sciences knowledge through field trips, museum visits or…
This is a case study of an NSF funded program to increase participation in STEM and geosciences for American Indian students. Culturally relevant practices were utilized such as the Circle of learning, a conceptual framework that emphasizes trust and relationship building between researchers,…
Queer Science is a new program at the University of Minnesota that invites queer and transgender high school students to the university. Students participate in college-level hands-on experiments with transgender and queer scientist who serve as mentors and role models for the participants.…
The geosciences are considered by many to be inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Challenging traditional perceptions of identity in the geosci- ence community is an important step to removing…
The authors surveyed individuals working within STEM fields who identify as part of the LGBTQA community. The authors analyzed 1,427 responses from a 58-item questionnaire reporting the experiences the participants in regard to whether their work and social communities were welcoming to their…
This article studies the effect of an Earth systems Science for All program intervention. This intervention was aimed at cultivating a sense of success and developing cognitive skills among students in classes with a dominant…
The NASA and NSF-funded Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science® Professional Development Program (MS PHD'S PDP) initiative provides professional development and mentoring experiences that…