Expanding Geoscience On-ramps with Innovative Professional Development Models: IODP School of Rock

Many countries face individual challenges in attracting, retaining and diversifying the workforce in the geosciences. In the U.S. and Australia and New Zealand, likely contributing factors include the homogeneity of the pool of mentors/role models available both within the workforce and in the professoriate. Another probable factor is "exposure gaps" among student populations; i.e., differing access to engaging facets of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In response, the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) has organized recent School of Rock professional development programs to address specific diversity goals, focusing on measures to broaden participation at all levels (i.e., K-12, undergraduate and beyond) in innovative ways (e.g., from place-based curriculum to longitudinal peer mentoring through extracurricular STEM community networks). To move towards these goals, in 2017 we designed a unique model for our School of Rock program, inviting pairs of participants, specifically a teacher from a diverse community and a nearby early-career scientist with an interest in IODP science. We sought to foster connections to establish new mechanisms for increased engagement, broader recruitment, enhanced support, and improved retention of students from underrepresented communities from the middle school level to the undergraduate and graduate levels and into the workplace. In 2018, to address budget realities, build capacity abroad, and foster international connections, we led a joint Australia/New Zealand/US. School of Rock in Auckland, N.Z. We report on 2017 outcomes after a year of implementation and initial results from the 2018 program. Survey results and action plan updates from our participants gauge expected and actual impacts of these workshops on perceptions and on plans for future actions aimed at broadening participation in the Earth and ocean sciences.