Geoscience Education and Diversity

he Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) recognizes that active support of geoscience education and workforce development must be a significant element of GEO's mission to promote the overall health of the geoscience enterprise. This commitment extends beyond the familiar tradition of support for the training of graduate students to embrace geoscience education reform at the undergraduate and pre-college levels and active outreach to the public.  Included in these activities are focused efforts to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in the geosciences. 

The Geoscience Education and Diversity (GEO E&D) Program is assisted in program planning by several groups, including the GEO Advisory Committee and the Geoscience Education Working Group (GEWG). The report of the Second GEWG can be read here. In order to continue the positive impacts of the GEO E&D program, a strategic plan has been developed to advance the goals of the program over the next five years. An overview of the strategic plan can be read here (MS-Word).

The GEO Directorate supports geoscience education and diversity efforts in several ways. Programs that cover a broad range of geoscience topics are administered out of the GEO Office of the Assistant Director (GEO/OAD). The Divisions of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS), Ocean Sciences (OCE), and Earth Sciences (EAR) also offer specific programs that support education and outreach efforts with more of a disciplinary focus.

In addition, research facilities supported by GEO have education and outreach programs to facilitate direct interactions among scientists, educators, students, and the general public (GEO Centers and Large Facilities Education and Outreach Information).

GEO Directorate-wide Programs:

The GEO/OAD offers the following education and diversity programs on an on-going basis. The OEDG program solicitation is currently in revision and will be re-issued in Spring 2008 (for a Fall 2008 competition). It is anticipated that the GLOBE and GEO-Teach program solicitations will be re-issued in 2009, assuming adequate program resources. By following the links below, you will be able to see current solicitations as well as previous awards for each program.

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

GEO Division-specific Programs:

OCE Education

EAR Education and Human Resources (EH)

NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF)

Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS)

Other NSF-wide Related Programs:

• Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)
• Faculty Early Development Program (CAREER)
• Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT)
• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
• Ethics Education in Science and Engineering (EESE)
• Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

• Programs with a postdoctoral level focus
• Programs with a graduate level focus
• Programs with an undergraduate level focus
• Programs with a K-12 level focus
• Programs with a focus on broadening participation

Additional Resources and Guidance:

• Overview of GEO E&D Programs (.pdf)
• Guidance for PI's regarding Postdoctoral Appointees
• Geoscience Education and Diversity: Vision for the Future and Strategies for Success (.pdf)
• Strategy to Increase Diversity in the Geosciences (NSF 01-53)
• Report of the Geosciences Diversity Workshop, August 2000
• Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
• Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA)
• Transforming Earth System Science Education (TESSE)
• Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE)
• Making a Broader Impact: Geoscience Education, Public Outreach, and Criterion 2
• The Broader Impacts Toolbox Workshop: Helping Researchers Effectively Meet the National Science Foundations' Broader Impacts Criterion
• Merit Review Broader Impacts Criterion: Representative Activities

Participate in the GEO E&D Review Process

As part of its merit review process, NSF relies on expert input from the scientific and science education communities when identifying which proposals are worthy of funding. If you have never served as a reviewer and/or panelist for the GEO E&D programs and would like to participate in the review process, please send your contact information and a brief curriculum vita to geoed@nsf.gov.