AGU awarded grant to establish program on engaging 2‐year‐college students in research

Abstract

Students at 2‐year colleges are a critical part of the future Earth and space science workforce, and undergraduate research experiences provide a hook to retain and ultimately to graduate students in the field. AGU was awarded a planning grant by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences (Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences award 1201578) to help launch a new initiative concerning these issues; education and public outreach staff are the principal investigators. This new initiative, titled Unique Research Experiences for Two‐Year College Faculty and Students (URECAS), will begin with a planning workshop this summer (11–13 July). The workshop will bring together faculty from 2‐year colleges, 4‐year colleges and universities, and representatives from professional societies and federal organizations to learn more about how to support 2‐year‐college faculty and students engaged in Earth and space science research and to discuss the development of a program to strengthen the role of 2‐year‐college Earth and space science students in the future workforce