National Association of Geoscience Teachers

National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Name	National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Abbr	NAGT
Formation	1938
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	North America
Membership	Educators, researchers, students

National Association of Geoscience Teachers is a professional association that supports instructors of geology-related subjects across secondary and postsecondary levels, aiming to improve teaching about Earth-related topics and to connect educators with resources, research, and peers. The association engages with classroom teachers, university faculty, museum educators, and informal-education professionals to advance instructional practices and public understanding concerning topics such as plate tectonics, paleontology, meteorology, and hydrology. It maintains links with organizations and institutions across the United States, Canada, and beyond, collaborating with entities like the Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, National Science Teachers Association, and museums such as the Smithsonian Institution.

History

Founded in 1938 amid expanding interest in formalizing the teaching of geological surveys and classroom practice, the association grew alongside curricular reforms influenced by events like the Sputnik crisis and the National Science Education Standards. Early leaders included university faculty and secondary instructors who had connections to institutions such as Columbia University, Ohio State University, University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University. Over decades the organization interacted with agencies including the United States Geological Survey and programs like the Teacher in Space Project and initiatives tied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It expanded during eras of increased attention to environmentalism and landmark reports from bodies like the National Research Council and adapted to curricular shifts prompted by publications from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and standards developed in states such as California and Texas.

Mission and Goals

The association's mission emphasizes improving the quality of Earth science instruction, promoting evidence-based pedagogy, and fostering diversity among educators and students. Core goals include supporting professional development through partnerships with the National Science Foundation, advocating for robust science standards influenced by documents from the Next Generation Science Standards consortium, and increasing access to field-based learning opportunities associated with parks and geologic sites like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and the Rocky Mountains. The group also prioritizes equity initiatives aligned with organizations such as the American Educational Research Association, outreach models exemplified by the National Park Service, and collaborations with museums including the Natural History Museum, London and the American Museum of Natural History.

Organization and Governance

Governance is typically carried out by an elected Board of Directors, committees, and regional coordinators with officers drawn from institutions such as state universities, liberal arts colleges like Amherst College, research universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and community colleges. The structure mirrors nonprofit bylaws similar to associations like the American Chemical Society and the Ecological Society of America, with standing committees on membership, finance, professional development, diversity, and policy. The association maintains formal partnerships with societies such as the Seismological Society of America and advisory input from federal laboratories including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and university research centers like the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs include field-based workshops, online webinars, and semester-long professional development cohorts connected to projects funded by the National Science Foundation and sponsored collaborations with the U.S. Geological Survey and regional museums. Signature initiatives have involved field experiences at sites like Big Bend National Park and pedagogical projects inspired by work at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The association runs teacher-training programs informed by scholarship from journals such as Science and Nature and works with networks including the GIFT program and local science centers like the California Academy of Sciences. Outreach efforts often coordinate with governmental efforts such as the National Weather Service and conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy.

Publications and Resources

The association publishes peer-reviewed and practitioner-focused materials comparable to journals like Journal of Geoscience Education and produces classroom-ready resources, field guides, and digital modules. Resources draw on standards from the Next Generation Science Standards and curricular frameworks used in states like New York and Florida, and include lesson plans referencing case studies from locations such as the Chesapeake Bay, Bering Sea, and Appalachian Mountains. Educational materials are developed in collaboration with university presses, museum education departments, and federal partners including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Conferences and Awards

Annual and biennial meetings convene educators and researchers at venues ranging from campuses like University of Colorado Boulder and University of Washington to conference centers in cities such as Denver, San Francisco, and Boston. The association confers awards and recognitions for excellence in teaching, innovative curriculum design, and lifetime achievement, akin to prizes given by the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America. Awardees often include faculty from institutions like University of Arizona, Pennsylvania State University, University of Texas at Austin, and community leaders from state education boards and institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution.

Membership and Chapters

Membership comprises K–12 teachers, college and university faculty, museum educators, graduate students, and retired professionals from institutions across North America and partner regions. Local chapters and regional sections operate similarly to divisions in the Geological Society of America and coordinate events, workshops, and field trips in association with state geological surveys, community colleges, and university departments at places including Indiana University, University of Michigan, and Texas A&M University. Special-interest groups focus on areas like informal education, online pedagogy, and field methods, engaging contributors from organizations such as the American Meteorological Society and the International Union of Geological Sciences.

Category:Professional associations