Brownlee, Diane K.¹
(1) Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute at Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, TX

ABSTRACT: The Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute and Brookhaven Community College: Partnering for Geoscience Outreach and Education

Professional geoscientists often feel frustrated in their efforts to interact with teachers and students in K-12. The local Community College is overlooked as a resource offering long-standing relationships with local Independent School districts. Working with the College, the geoscientist (and professional group) can get access to more students and teachers, for longer periods of time, to produce ongoing results. The EMGI has been working with Brookhaven College for two years and has been successful in increasing geoscience input to students and teachers K-12.
In Texas, school counselors frequently advise students not to choose geoscience classes, which do not count as science credits for graduation. Students are also advised that there are only geoscience jobs in undesirably primitive locations. Through the Community College, geoscientists may address counselors groups directly to help change this untrue perception.
The industry is generally disappointed in the numbers of undergraduate geology students. However, two-year CC students often go on to a four-year college. With encouragement, many of these students could be considering a university degree in geology. The EMGI has facilitated an increase in interest in geology on the BHC campus, and this year sent the first EMGI scholarship recipient on to a four-year college in pursuit of a geology degree.
This presentation will demonstrate how the "Partnering Process" can be facilitated, and offers an outline for other geoscientists and their societies to use these ideas in their own area.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.