Brownlee, Diane K.1
(1) Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute at Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, TX
ABSTRACT: The Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute and Brookhaven Community College: Partnering for Geoscience Outreach and Education
Professional geoscientists often feel frustrated in their efforts to interact with
teachers and students in K-12. The local Community College is overlooked as a resource
offering long-standing relationships with local Independent School districts. Working with
the College, the geoscientist (and professional group) can get access to more students and
teachers, for longer periods of time, to produce ongoing results. The EMGI has been
working with Brookhaven College for two years and has been successful in increasing
geoscience input to students and teachers K-12.
In Texas, school counselors frequently advise students not to choose geoscience classes,
which do not count as science credits for graduation. Students are also advised that there
are only geoscience jobs in undesirably primitive locations. Through the Community
College, geoscientists may address counselors groups directly to help change this untrue
perception.
The industry is generally disappointed in the numbers of undergraduate geology students.
However, two-year CC students often go on to a four-year college. With encouragement, many
of these students could be considering a university degree in geology. The EMGI has
facilitated an increase in interest in geology on the BHC campus, and this year sent the
first EMGI scholarship recipient on to a four-year college in pursuit of a geology degree.
This presentation will demonstrate how the "Partnering Process" can be
facilitated, and offers an outline for other geoscientists and their societies to use
these ideas in their own area.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.