Track 1: Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences: Mentoring and Research Modeling for Middle School and University Students

南卡罗来纳州立大学（SCSU）将与COSEE SE、南卡罗来纳州自然资源部海洋资源研究所（MRRI）、NOAA霍林斯海洋实验室（HML）和奥兰治堡国家鱼类孵化场（ONFH）合作，为中学生开发海洋科学研究经验。该项目的目标是通过对海洋科学设施的实地考察和少数民族本科生的指导，让来自传统上在STEM领域代表性不足的社区的中学生参与海洋科学的实践经验和科学的探究方法。在与中学生合作的过程中，将在中学教师、地球科学高等教育专业人员和地球科学研究人员之间建立一个网络。设想这种多层次指导和研究经验的模式将改变中学生和本科生对地球科学职业的重要性和可实现性的看法。该项目预计将涉及60名来自少数民族学校的中学生，10名来自SCSU的少数民族本科生和5名中学教师。

South Carolina State University (SCSU) will collaborate with COSEE SE, SC Department of Natural Resource- Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI), NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML), and the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery (ONFH) to develop a research experience for middle school students in the ocean sciences. The goal of this project is to engage middle school students from communities traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields with hands-on experiences in ocean sciences and the scientific method of inquiry using site visits to ocean science facilities and mentoring by minority undergraduate students. In the process of working with the middle school students, a network will be built between middle school teachers, geosciences higher education professionals and geosciences researchers. It is envisioned that this model for a multilevel mentoring and research experience will change the middle school and undergraduate students' perceptions of the importance and attainability of careers in the geosciences. The project is anticipated to involve 60 middle school students from a predominately minority schools, 10 minority undergraduate students from SCSU, and 5 middle school teachers.