Transcript GDEP The Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Program A Model for

Geosciences Student Recruitment Strategies at
California State University, Long Beach
(CSULB): Earth System Science/CommunityResearch Based Education Partnerships
Elizabeth L. Ambos, Richard Behl, David Whitney,
Christine M. Rodrigue,
Suzanne P. Wechsler, Gregory Holk, Christopher T. Lee,
R. Daniel Francis, and Daniel Larson
All at: California State University, Long Beach
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
Three Geoscience Departments:
Three Interdisciplinary Collaborations
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Geoscience departments at CSULB:
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Geological Sciences (geology, geophysics, geochemistry,
oceanography, meteorology)
Geography (biogeography, palaeo/climatology, geospatial technology)
 Anthropology (archaeology, geoarchaeology)
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Interdisciplinary collaborations:
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Materials,
Environments, and Societies (IIRMES)
 Environmental Science and Policy Major (ES&P)
 Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Project (GDEP)
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GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
IIRMES
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Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in
Materials, Environments, and Societies
Originally grew from collaborations among
Anthropology, Geological Sciences, Biological
Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
 Equipped with NSF funds
 5 labs: wet lab, ICP-MS, organic lab, SEM & TLC
lab, stable isotope lab, and thermoluminescence lab
 Provides contract access to facilities and analyses
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GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
ES&P
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Environmental Science and Policy Major
Curriculum comprised of math, biology, physics,
chemistry, geology, geography, economics, and
anthropology, designed to expose students
systematically to both natural and social sciences
 B.S. program emphasizes natural sciences, including
geology, physical geography, biology, chemistry
 B.A. program emphasizes policy and social sciences,
including economics, anthropology, and human
geography
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GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP: Interdisciplinary Partnerships
To Improve Opportunities for Students
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A 3 year teaming among CSULB faculty in Geological Sciences,
Geography, and Anthropology
Committed to working across departments and colleges and with 5
community colleges (CC) and 5 LBUSD high schools -- to provide
interdisciplinary earth system science research opportunities
Dedicated to closing the GAP between community demographics and
4-year college geoscience student demographics (i.e., fewer
underrepresented students in geosciences compared to their
community populations)
Activities include
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assessment of attitudes toward geosciences among CSULB, community college,
and LBUSD students
intensive eight-week summer research institute involving 25-40 CSULB, LBUSD,
CC students, and faculty)
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP Partners & Field Sites
Red = Low Income Areas
0
4 miles
CSULB
LBUSD HS
CC
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP Outcomes
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Extensive Summer Research Program:
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Student involvement: 29 students involved over 3 years (27 from underrepresented
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Faculty involvement: >30 CSULB, community college, and high school faculty
Observable Changes in Participant Attitudes:
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groups)
Students: greater self-confidence, higher educational aspirations
Community college and high school faculty: more hands-on class activities, more
knowledge of geoscience career possibilities
CSULB faculty : better understanding of challenges students face – particularly
students from urban, lower income areas; more interest in community-based,
interdisciplinary, earth systems science research projects
Dissemination:
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Publications: 5 papers published or in press in geoscience and/or education oriented
journals, 1 with student co-authors
Abstracts of presentations: >30, about half with student co-authors
Website: http://www.csulb.edu/geography/gdep/
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP Outcomes: Diversification
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
Conclusions
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Enrollments in geosciences CAN grow
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IF departments reach out to others with common interests in the
earth and environment, both on the same campus and at other
institutions nearby
IF departments implement structures and programs that reward
working together (e.g., IIRMES research facility, GDEP research
experience for undergraduates, coördinating curriculum as in ES&P)
Our appeal cannot be confined to a declining demographic
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Success in recruiting increasingly demands catching the attention of
underrepresented minority students, especially in California and
other border states
It also requires appealing to the job-centric working class and poor
student, particularly in comprehensive urban universities and
universities with rural service areas
Gender balance has improved but there are still expansion
possibilities in recruiting women and girls
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891
GDEP is funded by NSF GEO 01-19891