{"id":49,"date":"2015-05-27T14:28:44","date_gmt":"2015-05-27T14:28:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.ldeo.columbia.edu\/2015report\/?page_id=49"},"modified":"2016-02-26T22:33:13","modified_gmt":"2016-02-26T22:33:13","slug":"education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.ldeo.columbia.edu\/2015report\/education\/","title":{"rendered":"Education"},"content":{"rendered":"

A vigorous set of education and outreach programs complements our research agendas.<\/p>\n

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory offers students and educators access to world\u2010class research laboratories with a wide range of educational programming. Lamont has over 300 scientists, engineers, Ph.D. candidates, and postdoctoral fellows studying Earth and its processes. Our public events calendar offers seminars and lectures with the opportunity to network with researchers. In addition to hosting many school groups throughout the academic year, Lamont currently runs five prominent education programs for K-16 students and educators, and we are continuing to develop new engagement opportunities for learners of all ages through our Education and Outreach Office.<\/p>\n

Field Trips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past year, Lamont-Doherty formalized a field trip program to the Observatory, providing opportunities for students of all ages to interact with science and scientists on campus. We offer tailored lab visits and activities for groups to explore our ocean sediment core repository, seismic sounds, polar and tree ring research, and much more. Fifteen groups visited campus from New York and New Jersey during the year.<\/p>\n

Research Opportunities for High School Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"High

High school students work on a core sample as part of the Secondary School Field Research Program. (John Bjornton)<\/p><\/div>\n

Many of our education and outreach efforts have focused on creating research opportunities on the Lamont campus for high school students. Our Summer Intern Program<\/a> and Secondary School Field Research Program<\/a> partner students with scientist mentors to conduct research on campus over several weeks and prepare to formally present their findings. In the summer of 2015, 26 undergraduate students worked on a variety\u00a0of\u00a0projects across Lamont\u2019s divisions\u00a0as part of the intern program, and the secondary school program brought 45 students and nine teachers to campus for a six-week program focused on environmental and wetlands chemistry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We are building on the success of these programs to bring additional students to campus during the school year to participate in internships and work on research projects under the mentorship of our world-renowned scientists.<\/p>\n

A new program for high school students will emphasize learning science by doing science. Students will read peer-reviewed literature, participate in discussions on scientific papers, receive advice from Columbia University students about the transition to college, and have ample opportunity to practice their presentation skills. The main focus of their time at Lamont will be in hands-on work on their research projects. Putting students in the role of active participants in their own learning builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills, independence, and confidence, and provides students with a glimpse of life as a research scientist. Lamont has initiated a program with the Lyc\u00e9e Fran\u00e7ais de New York and is in discussions with other schools to provide similar programs. More broadly, we hope that this kind of experience introduces students to important concepts in Earth science to pique their interest in STEM subjects and engage potential future scientists through participatory research and an outstanding academic experience.<\/p>\n

Community Science<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Observatory also shares its innovative research in Earth and environmental sciences through outreach events in New York and New Jersey. In fiscal year 2015, the Observatory participated in Kids Week at the Intrepid<\/a>, Sun and Earth Day at the American Museum of Natural History, the Great Fish Count<\/a>,\u00a0and the World Science Festival<\/a>. In total, these events attracted over 4,000 people. The Observatory also hopes to develop more on-campus events, including a career day in Earth science and sustainability in late spring, where local students can\u00a0visit campus to learn more about careers in the STEM fields and hear firsthand from Lamont scientists, postdocs, and graduate students about their own paths from high school to successful science careers.<\/p>\n

Lamont Open House<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"In

In the Rock Mechanics Lab, Heather Savage helps young Open House visitors explore some of the properties of rocks. (Kim Martineau)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Observatory has a long history of public education through its biennial Open House<\/a>, featuring free lectures, demonstrations and hands-on workshops that share important research findings beyond the academic community. Audiences of all ages are introduced to concepts in Earth Science and have an opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary projects that the Observatory\u2019s scientists are engaged in. The one-day event draws over 3,000 visitors to campus.<\/p>\n

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n

Much of our formal education is taught through the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences<\/a> (DEES), which has been named by the National Research Council\u00a0as the best Earth science Ph.D. program in the country, a ranking that reflects Lamont\u2019s exceptional people, resources and affiliated programs. The students in DEES bring enthusiasm and innovative ideas, lend fresh energy to our investigations and help inspire future research.<\/p>\n

In Fall 2015, DEES welcomed 18 new graduate students from five different countries. Many of our new and continuing graduate students were\u00a0recipients of prestigious fellowships this past year. Among them:<\/p>\n