The Second Geoscience Alliance National Conference in spring 2012 at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana,

明尼苏达大学双城分校正在与萨利什库特奈学院合作召开第二次地球科学联盟会议，该联盟通过将地球科学家、土著领导人、教育工作者和学生聚集在一起，促进美国土著学生参与地球科学和相关STEM领域，以推进研究、确定最佳实践、改进评估、促进教育机会和促进新的合作。会议将于2012年3月在Salish Kootenai学院举行，预计约有125人出席。地球科学联盟的努力建立在改善美国原住民在STEM领域，特别是在地球科学领域参与的最佳实践的基础上，包括：1)文化背景；2)社区相关性；3)考虑整个学生的整体方法；4)社区、家庭和长者的参与；5)公共学习环境；6)基于问题或现实世界的活动。会议将讨论以下研究方向：与美洲土著地球科学和STEM学习相关的教育和评估主题，以及影响土著社区的地球科学研究主题。会议的与会者将包括：美国本土K-12，本科生和研究生，以及来自部落学院和其他大学的教师，教师，长老和其他感兴趣的研究人员。来自主要联邦机构支持的研究和教育中心和设施的科学家，包括CUAHSI、EarthScope、UCAR/NCAR、GLOBE、LacCore，将为土著学生和在土著社区工作的教育工作者分享有关机会和项目的信息。会议结束后，地球科学联盟将通过在专业会议（如SACNAS）上组织会议和招待会，通过技术和传统手段进行交流，以及通过新的正在进行的研究和教育合作，来促进会议后地球科学联盟的继续发展。本次会议的共同资金由美国宇航局（通过弗吉尼亚空间资助联盟）单独提供。

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is collaborating with Salish Kootenai College to convene a second conference of the Geoscience Alliance, which fosters engagement of Native American students in the geosciences and related STEM fields by bringing together geoscientists, Native leaders, educators and students for the purpose of advancing research, identifying best practices, improving evaluation, promoting educational opportunities, and fostering new collaborations. The conference is being held at Salish Kootenai College in March 2012, with an anticipated attendance of ~125 participants. The Geoscience Alliance effort builds on best practices for improving participation by Native Americans in STEM fields, and particularly in the geosciences, including: 1) cultural context; 2) community relevance; 3) a holistic approach that considers the entire student; 4) involvement of the community, family, and elders; 5) a communal learning environment; and, 6) problem-based or real-world-based activities. The conference will address the following research strands: Topics in Education and Evaluation Related to Native American Geoscience and STEM Learning, and Topics in Geosciences Research Affecting Indigenous Communities. Attendees at the conference will include: Native American K-12, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty from Tribal colleges and other universities, teachers, elders, and other interested researchers. Scientists from major Federal agency-supported research and education centers and facilities, including CUAHSI, EarthScope, UCAR/NCAR, GLOBE, LacCore, will share information about opportunities and programs for Native students and educators working in Native communities. Continuation of the Geoscience Alliance after the conference will be fostered by organizing sessions and receptions at professional conferences (e.g., SACNAS), through communication by technological and traditional means, and via new ongoing research and education collaborations. Co-funding for this conference is being provided through a separate contribution from NASA (via the Virginia Space Grant Consortium).