Geoscience Education  (GeoEd)  

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Solicitation  10-512

Please be advised that the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) includes revised guidelines to implement the mentoring provisions of the America COMPETES Act (ACA) (Pub. L. No. 110-69, Aug. 9, 2007.) As specified in the ACA, each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do not comply with this requirement will be returned without review (see the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II for further information about the implementation of this new requirement).

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Deadline Date:  March 8, 2010

Full Proposals Due

The GeoEd Program holds competitions on a biennial schedule, when sufficient program resources are available.  The current solicitation invites proposal submissions for the FY 2010 and FY 2012 competitions.   

SYNOPSIS

The Geoscience Education (GeoEd) Program is part of a portfolio of programs within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) that seeks to increase public understanding of Earth system science and foster recruitment, training and retention of a diverse and skilled geoscience workforce for the future.  The program achieves these goals by supporting innovative or transformative projects that improve the quality and effectiveness of formal and informal geoscience education at all educational levels, increase the number of students pursuing geoscience education and career paths, broaden participation of traditionally underrepresented groups in the geosciences, and promote public engagement in Earth system science. 

In FY 2010 and FY 2012, the GeoEd program invites proposals in four main areas:

• advancing public Earth system science literacy, particularly through strengthening geoscience education in grades K-14 and informal education settings;
• fostering development and training of the diverse scientific and technical workforce required for 21st century geoscience careers;
• utilizing modern technologies to facilitate and increase access to geoscience education and/or develop innovative approaches for using geoscience research activities and data for educational purposes; and,
• establishing regional networks and alliances that bring together scientists, formal and informal science educators, as well as other stakeholders, in support of improving Earth system science education and broadening participation in the geosciences. 

Proposals focused on basic research that might catalyze discovery and innovation at the frontiers of geoscience learning, education, and evaluation will be considered by the GeoEd Program, but are not viewed as a priority in this solicitation.  However, the GeoEd Program expects all proposed project activities to be grounded in current understanding of how students learn and effective STEM education practices.  Proposals must include an appropriate evaluation or assessment plan that will help to document project effectiveness and/or impact.

The GeoEd Program accepts proposals for pilot or proof-of-concept projects (Track 1) and integrative collaborations (Track 2) , as well as for conferences or workshops related to the mission of the program. 

RELATED PROGRAMS

Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG)

Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence

EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships

Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering

Discovery Research K-12

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers

Informal Science Education

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program

RELATED URLS

GEO Education and Diversity Program

What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)