Underserved

1
Underserved Under-represented groups

• Breakout Session I
• Thursday, May 19, 2005

2
Overarching Guidance Formulation of a coherent
and unified approach to increase the
participation and engagement of groups
traditionally underserved by NASAs Earth science
programs, data and resources. The objectives are
to (1) Increase NASAs awareness of the needs of
various populations who have been traditionally
underrepresented as participants in NASA Earth
Science programs and as users of NASA Earth
Science data and resources (2) Increase the
awareness amongst these groups of NASAs key role
in Earth Science and the relevance of its results
and resources (3) Improve the capacity of
individuals from these groups to become engaged
in NASA programs and help shape its future plans
to increase awareness of NASA Earth Science among
all relevant stakeholders.
Earth Science content embedded within cultural
contexts channeled through museums, planetaria
etc.
Cultural Events Community Involvement
Increased exposure to NASA Earth Science
resources (data, images, activities) for a more
diverse and inclusive audience
Identify develop versions of NASA resources
that are appropriate for special needs
populations (e.g. physically handicapped)
those without Internet access
Access to Resources
Increased access to NASA Earth Science resources
(data, images, activities) for a more diverse
and inclusive audience
Teacher Education
Continue basic research opportunities for
undergraduates and graduate students both at
research-intensive sites on MSI campuses
INVOLVEMENT/REPRESENTATION ? ?
Research/Mentoring experiences for students
Build awareness amongst next generation of
explorers of (I) range of activities that
geoscientists engage in (ii) future employment
prospects
Promote continue programs for faculty research
and engagement both at research-intensive sites
on MSI campuses
Research/Mentoring Experiences for MSI Faculty in
Sciences Education
Improved capacity to produce next generation of
explorers - future scientists future educators.
Community feedback, qualitative and quantitative
data on how to target NASA earth science
programming, funding, and resources effectively
and over a sustainable period
Convene diverse and inclusive review panels
forums
Understand the varied needs of the different
segments of underserved populations
Develop broader understanding of the communities
NASA is trying to serve
Identify various underserved populations
Build an extensive database of community
representatives with cooperationof professional
societies and other geoscience-related
organizations
NEEDS
ACTIONS
OUTCOMES
(0-3 YRS) ? ? ? (3-6 YRS) ? ? ? (6-10 YRS) ? ? ?
ROADMAP Underserved Groups
3
Overview

• Overarching guidance
• Community Building
• Research/Mentoring Experiences
• Students Faculty
• Workforce Development
• Teacher Education
• Access to Resources
• Community Culture

4
Overarching guidance

• Increase NASAs awareness of groups their needs
• Increase groups awareness of NASA relevance to
  their lives
• Improve capacity of individuals from these groups
  to become engaged in NASA programs

5
Community Building

• Develop broader understanding of groups and their
  diversity
• Focused workshops on cultural issues
• Inform NASA educators NASA leadership

6
Research/Mentoring Experiences

• STEM Students
• STEM Faculty
• Education Faculty

Workforce Development
Awareness of NASA hiring practices
7
Teacher Education

• National trends (NCLB) require highly qualified
  Earth Science teachers - shortages abound
• Foster Earth Science certification programs to
  increase diversity in Geoscience teacher pool

8
Access to Resources

• NASA has lots of free stuff but
• Focus on reaching those who dont have Internet
  access
• Identify and develop resources appropriate for
  special needs groups

9
Community Culture

• Schools, churches community centers as
  catalysts
• Low cost ways to engage inNASA science
• NASA content in informal learning centers - e.g.
  musuems

10
Next steps?

• How to prioritize the overall roadmap?
• How to sequence activities on a timeline?