EAGER-Indigenous Geoscience Community

University Of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth MN

Investigators

Abstract

This project brings together geosciences community members in an environment that will strengthen individuals, communities, academia, and professional spaces, by fostering cross-cultural exchange of disciplinary and experiential strategies for addressing environmental issues that directly impact environmental and human health, provide opportunity for cross-cultural collaborations to support workforce development through establishing strong professional relationships, identify workforce mentors to provide support for youth and early career professionals, foster the development of innovative solutions for geoscience research and education, and deepen the knowledge of geoscience. The PIs have developed a successful method of engaging communities in geoscience research in the lab, the field, classroom, and in work spaces using a variety of STEM methods and techniques to broaden workforce opportunities. Participant deliverables include developing research methods based on discipline and experiential backgrounds, blogs, research papers, posters, and conference presentations. The project aims to address obstacles encountered by geosciences students and professionals in order to foster a capable workforce. The project will provide a secure environment for participants to; 1-present discipline knowledge, 2- present geoscience education and career experiences, 3- build peer and mentor support networks, 4- identify geoscience mentors and industry partners, 5- establish a community that understands and applies ethical frameworks to the geosciences, and 6- develop a guide of best practices for engaging in research and education with communities using collective input from multiple groups. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.