EarthConnections Pathways: Linking Geoscience Learning and Community
Involvement to Develop Community Science Literacy
Abstract
Community science is a collaboration between scientists and communities
including their citizens and their leaders. In this collaboration, the
scientists and communities together determine the questions to be
studied, the approaches to be taken, and the interpretation of the
results. Such a collaboration requires a foundation of scientific
literacy within the community to enable both individuals and the
community as whole to access the needed scientific understanding and to
participate in the scientific process. It also requires that scientists
and educators learn about the knowledge, values, norms, and priorities
of the communities in which they are working—a kind of scientific
community literacy. The EarthConnections Alliance supports the
engagement of educational institutions and programs in community science
while building community science literacy and scientific community
literacy. The EarthConnections Alliance is formed of regional groups
that are invested in linking geoscience learning and community service
across grade levels within their communities as well as program partners
who have expertise needed to create these learning opportunities. All
members share a vision of creating learning pathways with four critical
elements: 1) they connect opportunities to learn geoscience with
opportunities to use this knowledge in service to the local community;
2) they link geoscience learning opportunities and learners across grade
levels; 3) they use signposting and mentoring to guide and support
students; and 4) they lead to local employment opportunities and
geoscience-related careers. Initial funding for EarthConnections
explored the creation of regional pathways in diverse sites across the
country, the development of strategies and tools for supporting pathway
development, and mechanisms for sharing resources and expertise within
the Alliance. Over 125 individuals and groups are now engaged in this
effort. Further information is available on the EarthConnections
website: serc.carleton.edu/EarthConnections.html.