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

明尼苏达大学双子城分校正与萨利什·库特奈学院合作，召开地球科学联盟第二次会议，通过将地球科学家、土著领袖、教育工作者和学生聚集在一起，促进美国原住民学生参与地球科学和相关的STEM领域，目的是推进研究，确定最佳做法，改进评估，促进教育机会，并促进新的合作。会议将于2012年3月在萨利什·库特奈学院举行，预计将有大约125人参加。地球科学联盟的工作建立在改善美洲原住民参与STEM领域，特别是地学领域的最佳做法的基础上，包括：1)文化背景；2)社区相关性；3)考虑到整个学生的整体方法；4)社区、家庭和长辈的参与；5)共同学习环境；以及6)基于问题或基于现实世界的活动。会议将讨论以下研究方向：与美洲原住民地球科学和STEM学习有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。参加会议的人将包括：美洲原住民K-12、本科生和研究生，以及来自部落学院和其他大学的教职员工、教师、长辈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、GLOBAL、LacCore，将分享有关在土著社区工作的土著学生和教育工作者的机会和计划的信息。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地球科学联盟在会议后的延续。这次会议的联合资金是由NASA单独提供的(通过弗吉尼亚太空赠款联盟)。

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).