Effectively Teaching Diverse Students Workshop

Sunday 4 December, 0800h-1700h

This participatory teaching excellence institute introduces college science faculty and faculty who work with future teachers to research-based practices aimed at improving learning, and engagement in science, among diverse students. Participants are introduced to the most recent education research related to assisting diverse learners as they interact with the content and processes of geosciences. Particular emphasis will be given to teaching techniques that engage students in managing, and asking, questions or authentic geoscience data. In addition, the workshop will feature a content update from scientists who are research active. Post-docs, graduate students, and K-12 teachers may also attend on a space-available basis. Presenters include Stephanie J. Slater, Center for Astronomy & Physics Education Research; and Timothy F. Slater, University of Wyoming.

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Salons 10-12
Cost: $25.00

Teaching Earth’s Climate History Workshop

Sunday 4 December, 0800h-1700h

This 1-day short course is designed for faculty teaching undergraduate geoscience courses in climate change, oceanography, historical geology, or Earth science. Exercises introduced in the short course are classroom tested and are anchored in fundamental practices and discoveries of scientific ocean drilling research programs (IODP and ANDRILL). The exercises infuse essential scientific observational, analytical, and synthesis skills and critical thinking into inquiry-based classroom exercises for group work in both small and large classes. Presenters include Kristen St. John, James Madison University; Mark Leckie, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Kate Pound, St. Cloud State University; Megan Jones, North Hennepin Community College; and Larry Krissek, Ohio State University.

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Golden Gate A
Cost: $50.00

Heads and Chairs Workshop

Sunday 4 December, 0800h-1800h

This one-day workshop provides an opportunity for heads and chairs of Earth and Space Science departments to discuss issues and strategies for building a strong department, meet other heads and chairs, and learn more about faculty diversity issues. Information about the workshop is given on the workshop web page, which includes a link to the program. The workshop is offered at no cost to participants. Please register by 4 November.

Location: Moscone Center South, Mezzanine Rooms 222-226

Communicating Your Science: Panel and Workshops

Sunday 4 December, 1000h-1700h

Want to be able to communicate your science easily and skillfully to non-scientists? Improve your ability to talk with the public, the press, policy makers and others at our Sunday panel and workshop! There, you’ll learn effective science communication strategies and have opportunities to try out your new skills. It all starts with a morning panel including a USA Today science reporter, an ocean scientist/book author, an expert on how people’s values affect their perceptions of science, and more. In the afternoon, you’ll choose from among four workshops to help you hone your communication skills. The event is free and lunch will be provided. For more details and to sign up, click here. (Registration for this workshop is now closed.)

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Salons 1-6
Cost: Free

Geophysical Information for Teachers (GIFT) Workshop

Monday 5 December and Tuesday 6 December, 0700h-1530h

The AGU-NESTA GIFT Workshop is held in conjunction with the annual meeting. This 2-day workshop for current and preservice middle and secondary school teachers includes talks by leading research scientists coupled with take-it-to-the-classroom activities!

This year’s presenters are:

Todd Ellis, Deanna TeBockhorst, and Susan Moore; The Importance of Studying Clouds: NASA Cloud Science

Kathryn Bertram and Peter Webley; Using Earth Science Data and Technology to Mitigate the Dangers of Airborne Volcanic Ash

Margie Turrin, Robin Bell, and Missy Holzer; The Climate Canary: Measuring Change on Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier (PIG)

Becca Hatheway,Allison Rockwell,Vidal Salazar, and Sarah Bruemmer; Using Scientific Field Campaigns to Learn About Climate Science

Cindi Preller, Glenda Findlay, Walter Dudley, Cynthia Pridmore, Kara Sterling, Gary Cooper, and William Knight; When Minutes Matter, Children Can Save Lives (tsunami preparedness in the classroom)

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Golden Gate A
Cost: Free

Congressional Science Fellowship and Mass Media Fellowship Luncheon

Tuesday 6 December, 1230h-1330h

Have you ever considered spending the summer as a science reporter in a mass media outlet? Or taking 1 year to work for a Member of Congress on Capitol Hill? AGU gives you the opportunity to do both through our Mass Media Fellowship and Congressional Science Fellowship. Learn from current fellows and ask them questions at this luncheon event.

Location: Moscone South, Room 300
Cost: Free

How To Get an Undergraduate Research Program Started: A Workshop for New and Future Faculty

Tuesday 6 December, 1400h-1800h

This workshop will present strategies and approaches for developing and sustaining research programs at the undergraduate level. It is designed for new and future geosciences faculty, including graduate students and post-docs preparing to enter academic positions, who are interested in developing an undergraduate research program, as well as faculty interested in expanding their research programs to include undergraduates. The workshop will cover, and participants will receive materials on, funding opportunities (including National Science Foundation, NSF), project selection and mentoring of undergraduates, and institutional support for undergraduate research. Facilitators will work with the participants to develop their own strategy for developing a research program involving undergraduates. This workshop is sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Geosciences Division.

Location: Moscone South, Mezzanine, Room 230
Cost: $30.00 Register now.
NOTE: Participation is limited to 20 individuals. For additional information, contact Lydia Fox by email or phone at 209-946-2481.

The S Factor: Video Workshop with Randy Olson and Hollywood Filmmakers

Tuesday 6 December, 1900h-2130h

AGU Fall Meeting - Randy OlsonMake your science video a must-see! Three Hollywood filmmakers will critique 10 videos submitted by AGU scientists and talk about the secrets behind successful video storytelling at The S Factor video workshop. Oceanographer-turned-filmmaker Randy Olson, writer and director of the feature film documentaries Flock of Dodos and Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy and author of Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style, will lead The S Factor panel that includes screenwriter Sean Hood, co-writer of Halloween: Resurrection and the 2011 remake of Conan the Barbarian, and Jason Ensler, co-producer and director of TNT’s Franklin & Bash, who has also directed episodes of Gossip Girl, Chuck, and Psych, among others. Want to have your science video reviewed by The S Factor panel? Submit your video by Fri., Nov. 4! For details on how to submit a video or on attending the screening, click here. UPDATE: Be sure to check out The S Factor blog for Hollywood filmmaking tips, tools and tricks and also to preview the 10 movies that will be reviewed at the workshop!

Location: Moscone South, Room 300
Cost: Free

Climate Science: Reaching Audiences via TV, the Web, and more!

Wednesday 7 December, 0800h-1000h

Want to learn about communicating climate science across a variety of media platforms? Join this panel discussion with writers, filmmakers and speakers to see how they do it! Panelists include Richard Alley, host of EARTH: The Operators’ Manual series on PBS; John Cook, creator and author of the website Skeptical Science; Tony Strawa, a Catholic climate ambassador for the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change; and Dan Satterfield, author of Dan’s Wild Wild Science Journal blog and chief meteorologist for WHNT-TV.

Location: Moscone South, Room 300
Cost: Free

Reinforcing Quantitative Skills in Geoscience Classes Workshop

Wednesday 7 December, 0800h-1200h

The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a variety of exemplars that support the integration of quantitative reasoning skills into geoscience courses taught to grades 9-14. The approach is to build relevance for skills students acquired in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry through lessons, activities, and labs ranging from quick, back-of-the-envelope solutions and order-of-magnitude estimation to full labs with more complex data analysis all within the context of geoscience problems. Drawing on examples from across the spectrum of the Earth science curriculum, participants will explore the possibilities focused on students taking a “deeper dive” into understanding geoscience concepts supported by a more quantitative approach. We will also provide ideas for assessment of students’ quantitative learning. This workshop is being sponsored by NAGT and AGU Education.

Location: Moscone Center North, Room 124
Cost: $25.00

Navigating the NSF System Workshop

Wednesday 7 December, 0900h-1200h

How do you make your proposal as NSF-savvy as possible? How do you best describe your broader impacts? What is cutting edge in data management? How do you identify the best program for application? How do you access available education and outreach funds? There are always new initiatives starting at NSF, beyond core programs. How do you identify these opportunities? How are initiatives different than core programs? How can you design effective integrated research? Answer these questions and meet in small groups with Program Officers, get to know what they are looking for, and learn how to ask the right questions, give the right answers,and get funded. This workshop is open to all AGU Fall Meeting attendees and will be particularly helpful to early-career to mid-career participants, especially graduate students, post-docs, researchers, and tenure-track faculty thinking about applying for NSF funding for the first time. This workshop is being sponsored by ESWN and AGU Education.

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Golden Gate A
Cost: Free

How to Network Workshop

Wednesday 7 December, 1400h-1700h

Networking may be the most important scientific skill that we do not learn in grad school. Effective networking helps connect you with jobs, collaborators, funding, mentors, and recognition for your work. Person-to-person connections also lead to a more rewarding professional experience, reducing feelings of isolation and helping to build support systems and friendships. Our expert panel of networkers can advise on how to cultivate formal and informal mentors, including your peers and colleagues; to use social media and online tools to boost your image and perceived expertise; and to communicate effectively on personal and professional levels to a variety of audiences. This workshop is targeted to early-career to midcareer scientists, especially graduate students, post-docs, researchers, and tenure-track faculty. This workshop is being sponsored by ESWN and AGU Education.

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Golden Gate A
Cost: Free

Communicating With Congress Lunch Workshop

Thursday 8 December, 1230h-1330h

Fall Meeting - Communicating with Congress Workshop - Photo of Maeve BolandAs a scientist, you have every reason to establish a relationship with your legislators. Join the conversation with Maeve Boland, former AGU Congressional Science Fellow, and learn how to effectively communicate your science to local and national policymakers. This presentation and discussion session will give you the tools to communicate with Congress – even those with experience can pick up some important pointers at this event. Check out some of Maeve’s tips and challenges for scientist, when communicating their science with Congress. Lunch will be served, but space will be limited.

Location: Intercontinental, Ballroom A-B
Cost: Free