August 25, 2019
What it means to students when you can pronounce their names – and when you can’t
I don’t think we can over-emphasize the importance of learning student names and the correct pronunciation of their names in our courses. Our introductory-level geoscience classrooms are especially important for recruiting new majors and producing Earth science-literate citizens. If we don’t have a class identity as a supportive and inclusive community for learning and working together, what impact can and will that have for our departments, the discipline, and society as a whole?
August 15, 2019
Help students with a “gravity assist”
This semester, think about providing students a “gravity assist”, a moment in their lives where something or someone helps propel them to their goal(s)
August 7, 2019
Drawing Down in Pennsylvania – a mini-podcast series showcasing local efforts to reverse global warming
A summer science communication REU that produced a mini-podcast series exploring efforts and successes in the state of Pennsylvania to reverse global warming, aligning with the mission of Project Drawdown
August 5, 2019
Introducing students to Drawdown actions and solutions
Project Drawdown helps students see beyond the “doom and gloom” with climate change impacts and shows them how to take actions that move us towards reversing global warming
June 19, 2019
Hydrographic information driving marine knowledge [World Hydrography Day 2019]
First celebrated in 2006 and on June 21st every year since, World Hydrography Day aims to make the public aware of the increasing the coverage of hydrographic information on a global basis, as well as the work to promote safe navigation, especially in the areas of international navigation, ports, and where there are vulnerable or protected marine areas.
June 17, 2019
Don’t just #ShowYourStripes – engage others with them
Scientists – as we explore and discuss #ShowYourStripes, let’s make sure we share this data visualization with our non-science networks and engage in some science communication
June 16, 2019
The color of the year is Living Coral [World Oceans Day/National Ocean Month]
Pantone describes its 2019 color of the year as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” Others feel it is “a stinging reminder of the cycle of constant growth driven by fossil fuels that’s brought the world to this point.”
June 10, 2019
Presidential proclamations of National Ocean Month, 2006-2019
Did you know that NOAA wasn’t even mentioned in the first Presidential proclamation for this celebration? And the first celebration was for a National Ocean Week, not a month? And that the Great Lakes are mentioned in several of these statements? Explore links to these Presidential proclamations going back to President Bush in 2006.
June 8, 2019
Focus for 2019: Gender and the Ocean [World Oceans Day]
From the United Nations: “We have an opportunity to explore the gender dimension of humankind’s relationship with the ocean. This year, we strive to build greater ocean and gender literacy, and to discover possible ways to promote gender equality in ocean-related activities such as marine scientific research, fisheries, labour at sea, migration by sea and human trafficking, as well as policy-making and management.”
May 26, 2019
IPBES Global Assessment Report – Communicating Hope in a Sea of Despair
I see myself bringing up this report early and often to students to introduce options and actions instead of doom and gloom. A message of hope will make for a much greater level of engagement and productivity. Let’s keep the conversations going.
Laura Guertin is a Professor of Earth Science at Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA. Her research focuses on how technology can enhance teaching and student learning in introductory-level geoscience courses for non-science majors. Her blog focuses on geoscience education/outreach, science communication, and technology tools in the classroom, online, and in the field.