Carla McAuliffe Candidate Statement
Candidate for Education Committee Chair
I am a science educator with several decades of experience developing instructional materials and professional development programs, conducting educational research, and teaching K-12 students and teachers. Much of my work involves facilitating the use of technology-based tools, such as geographic information systems, image analysis, and online databases in science teaching and learning. My background includes teaching Earth science and biology at the K-12 level as well as facilitating online professional development courses, conferences, and webinars for science teachers. At TERC, a non-profit based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I lead, manage, and work on a number of science education projects including those funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
I have served on the ESIP Education Committee for many years. I also serve on the Geological Society of America Education Committee and launched its annual GeoTeach Workshop for teachers in 2019. I have been active in the American Geophysical Union’s K-12 education efforts, coordinating the Geophysical Information for Teachers (GIFT) workshop for several years. I was chair of the EarthScope Education Committee (2016 to 2019) and served as executive director of the National Earth Science Teachers Association (2015 to 2020).
My goals for the ESIP Education Committee include:
- Increasing the visibility and accessibility of products of past ESIP Education Committee efforts, making them widely available through a more user-friendly website
- Promoting high-quality, rigorous and responsive Earth science instructional materials (from ESIP partners and non-profits) that can be employed in virtual learning settings
- Continuing to promote the use of Earth science data in K-12 teaching and learning through our “Out-to-Lunch” webinar series and other professional development offerings
If selected, I will be honored to serve as chair of this committee!
