Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Abstracts: 22

CIRES Contributions to Education: Outreach and Postcollegiate Opportunities

S.M. Buhr, S. Laursen, M. McCaffrey, M. Rundle, L.K. Smith

The Integrating Activities theme includes education and outreach efforts at CIRES, activities that further student and public understanding of the Institute's research themes and of the processes of scientific research. CIRES education projects range from work with teachers, school districts and students to opportunities for graduate and postgraduate work. The Outreach program also helps further the CIRES research mission by providing NOAA and CIRES investigators with required education and broader social impact components of research grant proposals, while undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate level opportunities help to develop the next generation of scientists.

Work within formal education brings the strengths of CIRES and NOAA to bear, providing an interdisciplinary Earth science perspective to the education of teachers and the science curriculum of school districts. The hallmarks of CIRES education outreach activities are an understanding of the needs of the audience, involvement of CIRES and NOAA researchers, an interdisciplinary Earth systems approach, and promotion of authentic scientific practices within the classroom. Current projects include a workshop in which new teachers learn to guide field-based student research projects, a partnership to restore the rare Sombrero Marsh ecosystem through educational development and the use of student research data, and long-term work within the St. Vrain Valley School District to implement accurate, cohesive Earth science curriculum. Education outreach components for NOAA and CIRES research proposals are even more varied, including museum exhibits, public events and partners University- and nation-wide.

CIRES develops the next generation of scientists through educational opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Summer internships for members of under-represented groups and the broader community are arranged in every research area of CIRES. Graduate student researchers and visiting postdoctoral fellows conduct their research in an interdisciplinary atmosphere that includes twelve University programs and departments, including Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Political Science, Economics and Environmental Studies.

Through CIRES involvement in education and outreach, more sectors of the community benefit from the cutting-edge research conducted at NOAA and CIRES, furthering the related goals of a scientifically literate citizenry and a prepared workforce.