About DC Rocks
Overview:
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and partnering geoscience organizations strive to introduce the geosciences to local students by highlighting the geology in students’ backyards. DC Rocks provides students with an exciting introduction to the world of geoscience with place-based educational opportunities with the goal of making geoscience relevant to their lives and their futures. The Washington DC area has interesting natural sites and many federal agencies that deal with the geosciences.
Rationale:
Prior to college, many DC public school students have limited exposure to the geosciences. Without early exposure, geoscience is not often considered as a career option by students, and the geosciences have the lowest racial diversity of all the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields at all levels of higher education. There is currently no geoscience information required in DC curriculum/SOLs. DC Rocks is an effort to fill that gap and bring geoscience to a diverse young audience of future scientists. Geoscience education researchers recommend several methods to increase the participation of minority students in the geosciences, including providing “critical incidents” or profoundly positive experiences in a student’s life that spark interest in the geosciences (Levine et al., 2007); increasing students’ sense of belonging in the geosciences by recognizing potential, encouraging aspiration, and providing accurate information to students about how to achieve their academic goals (Huntoon, et al, 2016); and place-based teaching practices that emphasize the study of local places and the synthesis of local cultural knowledge (Semken, 2005). DC Rocks applies all of these methods by having local geoscientists provide real-world examples of how geoscience impacts students’ lives.
How to Participate:
Choose a visiting scientist based on the topic and type of activity for your class. Contact the scientist directly to schedule a date, time and details for him or her to visit your classroom.
What to expect:
Teachers can choose a scientist from our list and schedule a DC Rocks Event (classroom visit or field trip). Click here to get started.
Questions for teachers:
- What are your goals for bringing a scientist into your classroom?
- What topics would you like to the presenter to cover? What, if any, Standards of Learning (SOLs) or NGSS topics you'd like to see addressed?
- What is the age range of the students?
- How many students will attend the presentation?
- How long will the presentation be?
- What range of days and times would work for the presentation?
- Do any of the students have special needs that the presenter needs to accommodate?
- Please list any special requirements for a presenter to enter the building (presenting photo ID, etc.).
- Please briefly describe the room set up (single tables, groups, etc.).
- Please list any photo restrictions
- Optional:
- Are there any restrictions on equipment scientists can bring into the building?
- Will the scientist have access to a projector?
- Please list any topics that you are currently covering or that you would like for a scientist to discuss.
USGS-DC Rocks Partners
DC Rocks partners, listed below, have the shared goal of promoting geoscience in the D.C. region.
George Mason University (GMU) is the largest public research university in the D.C. metro area, and has a robust Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Science department.
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) represents and serves the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Science Center in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (NCAS-M) is funded by the NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions Cooperative Agreement.
The Association for Women Geologists (AWG, DMV Chapter) is an internationally renowned non-profit organization that encourages the participation of women in Earth science.