GP-IMPACT: Leveraging Adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Improving Geoscience Education in the State of Iowa

爱荷华州于2015年通过了下一代科学标准（NGSS）。地球科学以前不是国家课程的必修课，爱荷华州高中现在必须迎接挑战，在一个只有很少的K-12教育工作者在地球科学认证或认可的国家实现NGSS地球科学熟练目标。很少有爱荷华州高中教授地球科学，通常将其作为“补救科学”，而不是所有科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）学科的整合和应用。最近通过NGSS在国家，迫切需要培训K-12教育工作者全州地球科学，并需要在地球科学的介绍纳入更严格的提供了一个机会，重新定义地球科学教育在爱荷华州作为顶点STEM学科。改善该州的地球科学教育有可能在早期阶段显著增加学生对地球科学的接触，并提高他们对该领域作为跨学科STEM学科和潜在职业道路的认识。对地球科学感兴趣的高中生也必须有参与和专业准备的机会，因为他们被学院和大学录取，如果他们最终成功过渡到地球科学职业生涯，并帮助重建老化的地球科学劳动力。该项目通过爱荷华州大学、柯克伍德社区学院和爱荷华州地质调查局之间的一系列合作伙伴关系，解决全州范围内地球科学教育的改革问题。有针对性的活动遵循国家研究理事会关于培养下一代地球科学家的建议，专门针对K-12，社区学院，四年制大学和专业地球科学家水平，以显着提高学生认识，参与，该项目致力于通过四个项目来极大地重塑爱荷华州的地球科学教育，机制：1）通过继续教育学分直接资助教师培训和再认证课程; 2）在课堂上为NGSS地球科学内容开发和传播K-12课程内容材料; 3）吸引爱荷华州大学和柯克伍德社区学院的未决定和早期职业本科生从事地球科学，透过一系列实地考察及独立研究的机会;及，4）为有意从事地球科学工作的学生提供实习机会，作为专业准备。该项目的重点是从K-12到大学，社区学院到四年制大学，大学到地球科学劳动力的关键过渡。这种加强地球科学教育的综合性和系统性方法有可能改变爱荷华州的地球科学教育，并建立一个有效实施NGSS地球科学组成部分的模式，这些组成部分可能在其他采用NGSS的州具有实用性。到三年项目结束时，共有225名K-12教师将获得继续教育学分，350多名社区学院和四年制大学本科生将参加一系列地球科学实地考察课程，45名本科生将参加指导研究/实习机会。

The State of Iowa adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2015. Earth Science was not previously a required course in the State curriculum, and Iowa high schools must now meet the challenge of achieving NGSS Earth Science proficiency objectives in a state with very few K-12 educators certified or endorsed in Earth Science. What few Iowa high schools do teach Earth Science typically present it as a 'remedial science' instead of as the integration and application of all of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The recent adoption of NGSS in the State, the critical need to train K-12 educators statewide in Earth Science, and the need to incorporate more rigor in the presentation of Earth Science provide an opportunity to reframe Earth Science education in Iowa as the capstone STEM discipline. Improving Earth Science education in the state has potential to significantly increase the exposure of students to Earth Science at an early stage and improve their awareness of the field as an interdisciplinary STEM discipline and potential career path. High school students who become interested in Earth Science must also have opportunities for engagement and professional preparation as they matriculate to colleges and universities if they are eventually to transition successfully into an Earth Science career and help to rebuild the aging geoscience workforce. This project addresses reform of Earth Science education statewide through a series of collaborative partnerships between the University of Iowa, Kirkwood Community College, and the Iowa Geological Survey. Targeted activities follow National Research Council recommendations for Preparing the Next Generation of Earth Scientists and are aimed specifically at the K-12, community college, four-year university, and professional geoscientist levels to dramatically improve the opportunities and outcomes for student awareness of, engagement with, and professional preparation for a potential career in geoscience.This project is working to dramatically reshape geoscience education in the State of Iowa through four mechanisms: 1) directly funding teacher training and re-certification courses through continuing education credits; 2) developing and disseminating K-12 course content materials for NGSS Earth Science content in the classroom; 3) engaging undecided and early career undergraduate students at the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College in the geosciences, through a series of field trip experiences and independent research opportunities; and, 4) providing internship opportunities as professional preparation for students who intend to pursue a career in the Earth Sciences. This project focuses on the critical transitions from K-12 to college, community college to four-year university, and university to the geoscience workforce. This integrated and systemic approach to strengthen Earth Science education has the potential to transform Earth Science education in the State of Iowa, as well as establish a model for effective implementation of the NGSS Earth Science components that may have utility in other states that have adopted the NGSS. By the end of the three year project, a total of 225 K-12 teachers will receive continuing education credits, more than 350 community college and four-year college undergraduate students will engage in a series of geoscience field trip courses, and 45 undergraduate students will participate in mentored research/internship opportunities.