An interdisciplinary Earth System Science (ESS) curriculum, community outreach, and research program

Abstract

The Department of Biology at Jackson State University (JSU) was awarded a contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish activities which support the goals and objectives of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Program. The primary goal of the JSU/NASA/EOS Program is to increase the pool of trained minority scientists pursuing postsecondary education and/or professional careers in Earth System Science (ESS) or related fields. The approaches used to achieve this goal are: (a) development of a precollege outreach program for high school students and teachers, (b) institution of an ESS undergraduate academic curriculum and training program, and (c) inception of an interdisciplinary EOS-oriented research program which focuses on coastal ecosystem dynamics along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. JSU has developed a variety of programs for minority high school students and teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty to address this challenging issue. This new program will provide an opportunity to: (a) produce highly trained and qualified minority scientists in ESS, (b) provide professional role models to minority students, (c) enhance the research scope and capabilities of participating faculty, and (d) contribute significantly to a better understanding of the total Earth system.