IRIS Develops a New Program in Education and Outreach

One year ago, IRIS formally created the Education and Outreach program. In the past year, several new education and outreach activities have been initiated and some existing programs enhanced. The E&O program is aimed at improving seismology and related Earth science education in K-12 schools, colleges and universities and in adult education. IRIS and the E&O committee have obtained some NSF funding for initial program development and support for the Program Planning workshop to be held in April of 1998. Several of the E&O activities are described in the following articles.

Recently, there has been considerable discussion by educators, scientists, and government officials concerning the performance of the US educational system in science and mathematics teaching and of the apparently low level of science literacy within the public. (As I continue to investigate the subject of science education in America, I find that the issues are complicated, there is an extensive and sometimes conflicting literature, and there are plenty of opinions.) Recent studies and surveys have documented a low level of understanding by the general public of the nature of science. Furthermore, the benefits of scientific research and development are not sufficiently recognized or appreciated. However, as the accompanying figure shows, during the last few decades, as the US population has increased to nearly 270 million people, education in America has been increasingly valued and record percentages of Americans have attained basic and higher levels of education. Increasing technology and employment demands have encouraged these trends.

Below are some data that I compiled from various sources (NSF reports, US census data, the Educational Digest) that are related to science education in America.

UNITED STATES CURRENT TOTALS 270,000,000 Americans 50,000,000 K-12 Students 14,000,000 College Students 3,000,000 K-12 Teachers 2,000,000 New K-12 Teachers needed in next decade 1,650,000 Physical and Mathematical Scientists 670,000 College Faculty (FTE) 120,000 Earth Scientists 4,000 Seismologists (estimate) UNITED STATES CURRENT YEARLY TOTALS 2,600,000 High School Graduates 1,200,000 Bachelor´s Degrees awarded 370,000 Science and Engineering Bachelor´s Degrees 58,000 Physical, Math., Earth, Ocean, and Atmos.Sci. Bachelor´s Degrees 3,266 Geoscience Bachelor´s Degrees 1,073 Geoscience Master´s Degrees 509 Geoscience Doctoral Degrees

It is clear that if we wish to contribute to enhancing science education, our efforts need to be targeted toward all students, at all levels (science literacy goal), not just (the few) future scientists (or seismologists). It is also clear that making a significant impact will be a formidable task because of the large numbers of students and the relatively small numbers of scientists who are willing and able to participate in these efforts. I also infer from these numbers that science education programs with the potential for high impact will involve teachers and college faculty as part of the effort to reach students of all ages.

Improving science education in the US is a goal that is clearly worthy of our substantial efforts. These efforts can also be interesting and rewarding, and seismology is an excellent subject for engaging students in the the world around them and in the excitement of science! We invite your ideas, suggestions and involvement in the IRIS education and outreach program. The IRIS E&O Committee consists of Karen Fischer, Glenn Kroeger, Guust Nolet, Michelle Hall-Wallace, Jeff Barker, Bob Hutt, and Larry Braile, Chair. Greg van der Vink has been working with the committee to help develop the program. Catherine Johnson has recently been selected as the new IRIS Education and Outreach Program Manager.