Expanding the Geoscience Workforce through the Annual Technical Conference of the National Association of Black Geologists and Geophysicists

University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR

Investigators

Abstract

This award will defray costs associated with hosting the 31st Annual Technical Conference of the National Association of Black Geologists and Geophysicists (NABGG) in Washington DC (September 5-8, 2012). An important goal of NABGG is to encourage students of color to pursue baccalaureate and advanced (MS and PhD) degrees in STEM fields in order to help provide a competent and diverse workforce in these economically critical areas for the 21st Century and the conference will provide an opportunity for mentoring underrepresented students in the Earth and environmental sciences. The planned conference will have wide-ranging technical programs, career success workshops for students, and interactive exhibits with appeal to professionals, students, and science educators in the Washington DC are. The theme of the conference will be Focus on Environmental Change, emphasizing innovations in geosciences that facilitate the understanding environmental change. Faculty from the University of Arkansas and University of California Museum of Paleontology will facilitate student participation at the conference.