Earth Science Education

Abstract

Earth science is struggling. Despite the economic and social impacts of natural hazards, the growing need for minerals, oil, gas, and other resources extracted from the planet, the loss of clean water and soil resources resulting from human activity, and the looming climate crisis - earth science remains undertaught and undervalued. A direct result of this undervaluing is a severe shortage in scientists trained to work in environmental, energy, and earth-related fields. This chapter reflects on the status of earth science in schools and universities across the globe, as well as recent developments in earth science education and education research. We suggest that earth science education researchers should adopt a more holistic research agenda and to turn their attention to the lack of earth science education in schools and universities as well as the limited focus of earth science curriculum. We suggest that increased attention to earth systems education, environmental insight, and social well-being in the context of earth science is needed to prepare students for effective decision-making around earth phenomena. Rethinking the earth science curriculum to build greater links between science and society would have the added benefit of encouraging more people from many backgrounds to participate in earth science education and careers. This curriculum will also include new avenues of research focused on changing the attitudes of geoscientists toward their role in society and the adoption of geoethical values.