Education

Professional Development Workshops for AGU Scientists and Educators: Fall Meeting attendees are eligible to participate in several special workshops that offer professional development activities related to education, teaching, and research in the Earth and space sciences. Topics include: "Teaching Excellence Workshop on Testing and Grading Students"; "Scientific Inquiry in the K-12 Classroom"; and "How to Get a Research Program Started at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution". More information about these workshops and how to register for them can be found at Professional Development Workshops.

Education Lounge: Are you looking for a quieter place to follow-up on an engaging discussion prompted by an Education Session? Or trying to find a comfortable chair to read brochures from the Academic Showcase or chat with fellow job-seekers about career alternatives, while charging your laptop? Are you a graduate student or recent graduate interested in getting informal advice from program managers about how the federal funding system works? A special lounge for discussion of topics concerning education, career, and student issues has been created adjacent to the Career Center in the 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall and will be available to meeting attendees daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A schedule of daily lunch-time talks concerning specific education topics will be posted at the entrance. Grab a lunch and join your education colleagues!

Outreach

Geophysical Information for Teachers (GIFT) Workshop: Tuesday, 9 December, and Wednesday, 10 December, Argent Hotel (Olympia Room), 8:00 A.M.–3:30 P.M.

A workshop for teachers of pre-college students offers teachers a chance to meet the scientists doing the research that is defining our physical world and its environment in space. The theme for this year's workshop is "The Polar Regions—Bellwethers of Change." Recent research on polar environments, which are especially sensitive to the effects of global climate change, and supporting curricular materials and hands-on classroom activities related to this topic, will be presented. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend technical sessions and exhibits of the AGU meeting. This year's GIFT Workshop is being co-sponsored by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a joint institute between NOAA and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Registration deadline for teachers is Friday, 21 November 2003, and space is limited to 50 participants. To register or request additional information, please contact Kristin Schmelz, AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009; Tel: 800-966-2481, ext. 515; Fax: +1-202-328-0566; E-mail: kschmelz@agu.org.

Bright STARS (Students Training As Research Scientists): Thursday, 11 December, San Francisco Marriott Hotel (Golden Gate A2) & Moscone Center West, 8:30 A.M.–3:40 P.M.

A growing number of after-school and summer programs now offer hands-on research experiences in the Earth and space sciences for high school students. This special day-long program brings nearly 50 San Francisco Bay Area students engaged in geosciences research to the Fall Meeting. In the morning, the students attend a special symposium, where they hear AGU members describe the breadth of the Earth and space sciences and some of the current outstanding problems being investigated in particular sub-fields. In the afternoon, a dedicated Education Session at the Fall Meeting features the research being conducted by the students themselves. Meeting attendees are encouraged to come and meet these future stars of the geosciences community! AGU members interested in presenting a talk during the morning symposium should contact Jill Karsten, AGU; Tel: 800-966-2481, ext. 508; Email: jkarsten@agu.org.

Career Services

Career Center: Monday, 8 December, through Friday, 12 December, Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall, 8:30 A.M.–5:00 P.M.

AGU continues its acclaimed and successful Career Center, a valuable source for employment positions, current career information, and the latest data on employment trends in the geosciences.

Employers: Use the AGU Career Center Employer Pre-registration Form to post your positions, or register on-site. With the Fall Meeting attracting some of the most talented and promising geoscientists, the AGU Career Center is your ideal choice to recruit for positions, meet and interview candidates and access our extensive resume database. All employers must be registered to attend the meeting to participate in this activity.

Job Candidates: The Fall Meeting brings together top employers from academe, industry and government. The AGU Career Center provides a full range of job opportunities in the geosciences as well as post-doctoral opportunities, fellowships, and other valuable career information and services. All job candidates must bring 5 copies of their resume for consideration and be registered for the meeting to participate.

To request additional information, please contact Chet Migdalski, AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009; Tel: 800-966-2481, ext. 504; Fax: +1-202-328-0566; E-mail: cmigdalski@agu.org.

Career Planning Workshop—Topic: "Completing the Package: Why is it Hard to be Soft?": Monday, 8 December, San Francisco Marriott Hotel (Nob Hill A & B), 7:30–9:00 P.M.

You have trained hard to be a successful geoscientist and you know a lot about the Earth and the processes that shape it. But, what other skills are really necessary to compete effectively in today's job market? A panel of AGU members, employers, and recruiters, representing a variety of academic, government, and corporate careers, will discuss the critical "soft skills" that give you the edge in getting your perfect job in the academic and nonacademic sectors. Students and recent graduates concerned about employment and professionals considering career path changes are encouraged to attend. A brief reception will follow this workshop. To request additional information, please contact Chet Migdalski, AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009; Tel: 800-966-2481, ext. 504; Fax: +1-202-328-0566; E-mail: cmigdalski@agu.org.

Programs Especially for Students

Student Travel Grants: The deadline for Student Travel Grants (4 September) has passed.

Academic Showcase: Tuesday, 9 December, through Friday, 12 December, San Fransicso Moscone Center West, 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall, 8:30 A.M.–5:00 P.M.

Academic institutions offering Earth and space science degrees and programs will be showcased in this dedicated exhibition area. Up to 30 departments searching for graduate students or postdoctoral candidates, trying to fill open positions, or simply advertising their institutions and their programs will be participating. The Showcase offers a valuable opportunity for students to explore their graduate school and academic employment options. See the Exhibits section of the web site for a list of participating institutions.

ExxonMobil Morning Mixer for Students: Wednesday, 10 December, Yerba Buena Ballroom Salon 9, San Francisco Marriott, 6:30–8:00 A.M

A complimentary breakfast will be held in honor of all graduate and undergraduate students registered for the meeting. Students will have the opportunity to hear an overview of AGU programs that serve its student members, meet with AGU leadership and representatives from ExxonMobil, and network with other students and future colleagues attending the meeting.

Outstanding Student Paper Awards: Judges from most of the Sections and Focus Groups will be circulating throughout the meeting, in order to identify the best presentations by first-author students at the meeting. Judges will consider the scientific content of the work, but will place significant emphasis on the quality of the presentation delivery and graphics and the knowledge and poise of the student presenter. Winners, who will be informed by the end of January 2004, will receive a formal certificate and have their names published in Eos later in the spring.