Geoscience In Schools

Is our communication as geoscientists failing to reach the general public due to their knowledge base?

Do we need to educate the older generations who understand implication of actions, such as climate change, recourses and hazards alike or should we think about getting a younger audience involved.

Any society that is serious about the education of its children must be equally serious about supporting the continuing education of those charged with that task.... Rapid and extensive improvement of science education is unlikely to occur until it becomes clear to scientists that they have an obligation to become involved in elementary- and secondary-level science."

The Role of Scientists in the Professional Development of Science Teachers
Chapter 3, NRC, 1996

Wendy Van Norden is a science teacher of 27 years has said that we do not teach enough geology. We do not graduate enough geology majors, and, worst of all, we are not doing enough to educate the public about the geosciences. Colleges and middle schools, for the most part, are doing a fine job of teaching the Earth sciences. But, most high school curricula do not include a substantial geology component. The resulting gap not only has lowered the level of geology literacy in our citizens but also has resulted in too few college students choosing to study geology.

I also agree that not enough geology is taught in school, considering our entire economy does filter down to a geologist at some point. With such a multitude of knowledge and implications it is fundamental that more people are educated in basic geology, as this may help correct the miscommunication between the general public and geoscientists.