An interdisciplinary Earth System Science (ESS) program for minority students at Jackson State University

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded a contract to the Departmetn of Biology at Jackson State University (JSU) to establish a program which supports 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 choosing professional careers in ESS and related fields. The three primary approaches used to achieve this goal are: (1) development of a pre‐college outreach program for high school students and teachers, (2) establishment of an ESS undergraduate academic curriculum, and (3) initiation of an interdisciplinary EOS‐oriented research program which focuses on coastal ecosystem dynamics along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. JSU has developed various programs for minority high school students and teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty to address this challenging issue. This new program will: (1) produce highly trained and qualified minority scientists in ESS, (2) provide professional role models to minority students, (3) enhance the research scope and capabilities of participating faculty, and (4) significantly contribute to a better understanding of the total Earth system.