Also known as

Earth science Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spheres ...

education, It is the study of Earth's physical features, processes, and systems, as well as the natural and human-induced events that shape it. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including

geology Geology (). is a branch of natural science concerned with the Earth and other astronomical objects, the rocks of which they are composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth ...

oceanography Oceanography (), also known as oceanology, sea science, ocean science, and marine science, is the scientific study of the ocean, including its physics, chemistry, biology, and geology. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of to ...

meteorology Meteorology is the scientific study of the Earth's atmosphere and short-term atmospheric phenomena (i.e. weather), with a focus on weather forecasting. It has applications in the military, aviation, energy production, transport, agricultur ...

climatology Climatology (from Greek , ''klima'', "slope"; and , '' -logia'') or climate science is the scientific study of Earth's climate, typically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of at least 30 years. Climate concerns the atmospher ...

, environmental science, and more. Geoscience education plays a crucial role in fostering scientific literacy, environmental awareness, and sustainable development, as well as in preparing future generations of

geoscientists A geologist is a scientist who studies the structure, composition, and History of Earth, history of Earth. Geologists incorporate techniques from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and geography to perform research in the Field research, ...

policymakers Policy is a deliberate system of guidelines to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an orga ...

educators A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...

, and

citizens Citizenship is a membership and allegiance to a sovereign state. Though citizenship is often conflated with nationality in today's English-speaking world, international law does not usually use the term ''citizenship'' to refer to nationality; ...

. It is also a branch of

science education Science education is the teaching and learning of science to school children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education includes work in science content, science process (the scientific method), some ...

. The journals on this subject are the Journal of Geoscience education and th
Journal of Astronomy and Earth Science Education

Geoscience Education Resources and Institutions

In addition to traditional classroom education, there are many resources and institutions available for geoscience education worldwide. These resources include museums, institutions, and research groups, all of which can provide learning opportunities for students of all ages. One notable institution is the

Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre Canmore Museum (formerly Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre) is the public name used by the Centennial Museum Society of Canmore. The Society was incorporated in 1984 under The Societies Act of the Province of Alberta. The society is also a reg ...

in Canada. This museum offers a range of exhibits and interactive displays that explore the geological and cultural history of the Canadian Rockies. Visitors can explore local

and learn about the area's mining

heritage Heritage may refer to: History and society * A heritage asset A heritage asset is an item which has value because of its contribution to a nation's society, knowledge and/or culture. Such items are usually physical assets, but some countries also ...

, as well as delve into the stories of the people who have lived in the region over the centuries. Another prominent institution is the Geoscience Australia Education Centre in Australia. This centre offers a range of resources for students and educators, including online tools and interactive exhibits that cover topics such as geology,

mineral resources Natural resources are resources that are drawn from nature and used with few modifications. This includes the sources of valued characteristics such as commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest, and cultural value. ...

, and

natural hazards A natural disaster is the very harmful impact on a society or community brought by natural phenomenon or hazard. Some examples of natural hazards include avalanches, droughts, earthquakes, floods, heat waves, landslides - including submarin ...

. The centre also hosts educational programs for students of all ages, including hands-on workshops, guided tours, and outreach activities to schools and community groups. Other notable institutions for geoscience education include the

American Museum of Natural History The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a natural history museum on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Located in Theodore Roosevelt Park, across the street from Central Park, the museum complex comprises 21 interconn ...

in the United States, the

Geological Survey of Canada The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC; , CGC) is a Canadian federal government agency responsible for performing geological surveys of the country developing Canada's natural resources and protecting the environment. A branch of the Earth Science ...

, and the

British Geological Survey The British Geological Survey (BGS) is a partly publicly funded body which aims to advance Earth science, geoscientific knowledge of the United Kingdom landmass and its continental shelf by means of systematic surveying, monitoring and research. ...

in the United Kingdom. With such a wide range of resources and institutions available worldwide, students of all ages can explore the fascinating world of geoscience and deepen their understanding of the Earth and its processes. Geoscience Education Research Groups have been established around the world to address the challenges facing geoscience education and to improve the effectiveness of teaching methods. These groups bring together geoscientists, educators, and

researchers Research is creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to ...

to explore how to engage and motivate students to learn about the Earth and its complex systems. They conduct research to identify best practices in geoscience education, develop innovative teaching methods and materials, and evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches. These groups are supported by national and international geoscience organizations and have made significant contributions to advancing the field of geoscience education. The University of South Carolina's research groups at the Geoscience Department, for example, investigates new geoscience teaching methods and curricula, while th
University of Canterbury's Geoscience Education research group
focuses on geoscience education in the context of

sustainability Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time. Definitions of this term are disputed and have varied with literature, context, and time. Sustainability usually has three dimensions (or pillars): env ...

and

climate change Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in Global surface temperature, global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in ...

. Additionally, the Commission on Geoscience Education of IUGS (COGE), the International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) and the

American Geophysical Union (AGU) The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Earth, atmospheric, ocean, hydrologic, space, and planetary scientists and enthusiasts that according to their website includes 130,000 people (not members). AGU's ac ...

Geoscience Education Research Working Group also aims to expand the visibility of geoscience education research in the global Geoscience community by supporting geoscience education research and related initiatives.

Importance of Geoscience Education and future Directions

Geoscience education is a crucial component of understanding our planet and its complex systems. Educating young people about the diverse career opportunities and providing them with resources on geoscience is essential to sustain the industry and support the transition within the workforce. In this regard, some organizations such as the Australian Geosciences Council regularly publish reports on the state of Geoscience Education worldwide. Additionally, the Wuhan Consensus is an initiative that emphasizes the importance of promoting the habitability of the

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...

through

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

, in response to increasing threats to the planet caused by climate change, environmental pollution, and ecological damage. The Consensus advocates for a renewed perception and definition of humanity's role in the world, calling for concerted actions from global universities, research institutions, primary and secondary schools, and all sectors of society to implement the new geoscience education and promote harmonious co-existence between man and nature. As such, the future of Geoscience education must focus on preparing the next generation of geoscientists, policymakers, educators, and citizens to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the world today.

Challenges faced by Geoscience educators worldwide

One of the biggest challenges is raising awareness of the importance of geoscience education. While the majority of countries have compulsory geoscience education in their curricula, more efforts are needed to increase the availability of optional geoscience courses, particularly for students aged 16-18. Another challenge is the lack of support from national and international geoscience organizations, which could improve geoscience education. Increased funding and infrastructure are also necessary to provide students with necessary resources and tools to succeed in geoscience education. Continued efforts are necessary to promote geoscience education and increase its accessibility, resources, and funding to prepare the next generation of geoscientists to address the environmental challenges facing the world today.

References

{{Reflist Science education Earth sciences