An earth science community consensus-building initiative to define what all Americans

should know about earth science

Organizing Committee, et al.

Michael Wysession - Washington UniversityDavid Budd - University of ColoradoKaren Campbell - National Center for Earth-surface DynamicsMartha Conklin - University of California, MercedNicole LaDue, Jill Karsten, Lina Patino - NSFGary Lewis - GSARobert Raynolds - Denver Museum of Science and NatureRobert W. Ridky - USGSRobert Ross - PRIJohn Taber - IRIS Barbara Tewksbury - Hamilton CollegePeter Tuddenham, Tina Bishop, William Bragg - College of Exploration

Background

It is anticipated that from 2006 – 2016, the number of geoscience jobs will grow by 22%.

This is much faster than the projected 10% increase for all occupations.

Bureau of Labor and Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos288.htm

Background

From 1996 – 2006, the number of high school and middle school science teachers has

increased 20-30%.

Only 9.5% of those teachers are teaching Earth science.

Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), 2007: State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education 2007

BackgroundPast Literacy Efforts:

• Ocean Literacy (2005)NOAA, National Geographic Society, National Marine Educators, COSSE

• Climate Literacy (2007)NOAA, NSF, AAAS

• Atmospheric Science Literacy (2008)

NSF, NOAA, NAGT, NESTA, AGU, UCAR, CIRES

Ocean LiteracySeven Essential Principles:

1. Earth has one big ocean with many features.2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the

features of Earth. 3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and

climate.4. The ocean makes Earth habitable. 5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and

ecosystems.6. The ocean and humans are inextricably

interconnected.7. The ocean is largely unexplored.

Ocean Literacy2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the

features of Earth.

a. Many earth materials and geochemical cycles originate in the ocean. Many of the sedimentary rocks now exposed on land were formed in the ocean. Ocean life laid down the vast volume of siliceous and carbonate rocks.

b. Sea level changes over time have expanded and contracted continental shelves, created and destroyed inland seas, and shaped the surface of land.

Climate LiteracySeven Essential Principles:

1. Life on earth has been shaped by, depends on, and affects climate

2. We increase our understanding of the climate system through observation and modeling

3. The sun is the primary source of energy for the climate system

4. Earth’s weather and climate systems are the result of complex interactions

5. Earth’s weather and climate vary over time and space6. Evidence indicates human activities are impacting the

climate system7. Earth’s climate system is influenced by complex

human decisions involving economic costs and social values

Atmospheric Science

Seven Essential Principles:1. The Earth has a thin atmosphere that sustains life2. Energy from the Sun drives atmospheric processes3. Atmospheric circulations transport matter and energy4. Earth’s atmosphere changes over time and space,

giving rise to weather and climate 5. Earth’s atmosphere continuously interacts with the

other components of the Earth system6. We seek to understand the past, present, and future

behavior of Earth’s atmosphere through scientific observation and reasoning

7. Earth’s atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked.

Process

What has not been addressed in previous efforts?

Mineralogy•Petrology

•Economic Geology•Sedimentology/Stratigraphy

•Paleontology•Tectonics

•Geophysics•Geomorphology

•Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry•Continental Dynamics

•Volcanology•Geohazards

•Freshwater Hydrologic Sciences

Process

Organizing CommitteeChair: Michael Wysession, Washington University

Chair: John Taber, IRIS

David Budd, University of ColoradoKaren Campbell, National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics

Martha Conklin, University of California, MercedNicole LaDue, NSFGary Lewis, GSA

Robert Raynolds, Denver Museum of Science and NatureRobert W. Ridky, USGS

Robert Ross, PRIBarbara Tewksbury, Hamilton College

Process

Two-week asynchronous online workshop

May 11-23, 2008

~150 invited scientist participants

~200 scientist and educator observers

Process

Writing Workshop

July 21-23, 2008

Washington University, St. Louis MO

35 scientists and educators from

academia, K-12, agencies

Earth Science Literacy

Eight Essential Principles:1. Earth is 4.6 billion years old and the rock record

contains its history2. Earth is a complex system of interactions between

rock, water, air and life 3. Earth is a continuously changing planet 4. Earth is the water planet5. Life evolves on a dynamic Earth and continuously

modifies Earth 6. Humans depend on Earth for resources 7. Earth science reduces the impacts of natural hazards 8. Humans have become a significant agent of change

on Earth

Process

August / September – Committee/July participants comment on draft document

October - December – Community comment on draft document

Next Steps

• Website open for public comment at www.earthscienceliteracy.org

• Town Halls, talks, posters at GSA and AGU

• Two draft periods:– 1st Draft Comment Period closes October 31st, 2008 – 2nd Draft Comment Period closes late December

• January: alignment to NSES and final editing for first printing

Process

Questions for the community:

1) How do we get broad scientific community involvement with Earth Science Literacy?

2) How can this document make the greatest positive public impact?

3) How can ESLI be coordinated with other Earth Science E&O efforts?

4) How should the different scientific communities proceed with literacy efforts?

Contacts

Nicole LaDueGeoscience Education and Diversity Programs

National Science Foundation

nladue@nsf.gov

Michael WysessionWashington University

St. Louis, MO

michael@seismo.wustl.edu