January 31, 2020
World Wetlands Day 2020 – wetland biodiversity and why it matters
February 2nd is World Wetlands Day. This annual celebration began back in 1997 to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. There is a different theme determined each year, with the 2020 theme of Wetlands and biodiversity. The connection between wetlands and biodiversity is a critical one that needs urgent attention, according to the International Organization Partners to the Convention on Wetlands. In …
January 24, 2020
The Climate Trail – making a game of the climate apocalypse
I was teaching an introductory-level climate science course last semester, and a conference opportunity came up for me that would require I miss one day of classes. I decided to have students play The Climate Trail and write up a review of the game for an assignment.
January 18, 2020
Check for gender bias in letters of recommendation
Gender bias exists in letters of recommendation, and there are plenty of sources that document this across the years and across STEM fields. Fortunately, there are tools that exist to assist us with reducing the unintentional bias we may include as we write letters for our students and peers.
January 13, 2020
Start planning for Earth Day’s 50th anniversary
“Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.”
January 2, 2020
Top Science Stories of 2019 – what would our students say?
If you ask your students what were the major scientific accomplishments in 2019, what would they say? Are they aware of what happened in the previous year, as well as the major concerns and challenges in the sciences?
January 1, 2020
A New Year’s resolution: answer Dr. Lubchenco’s call for a renewed social contract
The new Contract should extend well beyond research and training activities. Some of the most pressing needs include communicating the certainties and uncertainties and seriousness of different environmental or social problems, providing alternatives to address them, and educating citizens about the issues. In parallel to initiating new research, strong efforts should be launched to better communicate scientific information already in hand. — Lubchenco (1998), Science
December 31, 2019
Dr. G’s #AGU19 Spotlight – The Future of Lunar and Mars Exploration
NASA Chief Scientist Dr. James Green spoke on the Inspire Stage in Centennial Central on The Future of Lunar and Mars Exploration. Sessions like this, where one doesn’t have to be a space scientist at an Earth and space conference to understand, are an excellent example of science communication at its best.
December 10, 2019
Dr. G’s #AGU19 Spotlight – Invisible Rules in the Classroom
Enter the idea of “invisible rules”. We all thought we knew the boundaries of the task at hand, of the assignment in front of us… yet we were mistaken. If this is what we as experienced instructors think, imagine what our students think.
December 9, 2019
Dr. G’s #AGU19 Spotlight – Scientist Spotlights and Profiles Online
As Scientist Spotlights require very little class time and complement existing curricula, they represent a promising tool for enhancing science identity, shifting stereotypes, and connecting content to issues of equity and diversity in a broad range of STEM classrooms.
December 8, 2019
Want to be more inclusive? Stop making geology conferences about the beer.
What are we to do? I don’t know the answer to this. But I wonder how many people are being excluded from our community (at least conference settings) because of alcohol at posters and receptions, which is then decreasing our diversity and impacting our inclusion efforts. It’s a conversation that needs to move beyond Twitter and into our departments and professional organizations.
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.