The Geophysical Information For Teachers (GIFT) workshops at the AGU Fall Meeting have established a tradition of using novel presentation formats that are specifically designed to address the needs of K-12 teachers, and to enable those educators as co-producers of information and resources that enhance geoscience education. This proposal is designed to continue that tradition through an updated model that responds to current parameters and considerations. This format will be facilitated by the Next Generation Science Standards in Earth and Space Science (NGSS-ESS) Working Group.

The NGSS promotes instruction that integrates three dimensions--science and engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. The proposed set of innovative (meeting-in-meeting) sessions will address topics that are relevant to pre-college geoscience education (e.g., curriculum, instruction/pedagogy, assessment) as they pertain to NGSS-aligned instruction. We envision that this session will have hybrid, multi-structured formats. For example, we propose that within each session there will be a variety of presentation format opportunities provided. One presentation might be longer, allowing for more complete exploration of complex, multi-faceted materials an organization has to offer. Other presentations will be shorter, allowing for organizations to provide an overview about ideas and/or resources that are more straightforward to convey. As well, some of the presentations will be structured with a hands-on component, while others will be more of a demonstration format (e.g., exploring online resources). The NGSS-ESS Working Group and others will form a committee to facilitate the GIFT session and will work with presenters whose proposals are accepted to organize the submissions. We expect proposals that are varied in focus, format, and level/type of audience interaction. We will work with the proposers to organize the proposals received in coherent ways within each time block (e.g., by the NGSS dimension that they address), and to allocate the session time in ways that are appropriate to the presentations.We welcome proposals focusing on all areas of geoscience education (e.g., atmosphere, environment, Earth and space), and emphasizing approaches to any and all of the three dimensions of the NGSS.

A common thread unifying the presentations within the sessions will be focused on areas that are of specific relevance to pre-college educators. These presentations may be supplemented by scholarly conversations, also in various formats (e.g., single presenter, panel, town hall discussion). An emphasis will be placed on these presentations and conversations directly engaging participants--with each other, and with other members of the AGU community writ large--to encourage collaboration, networking, exchange of expertise, and professional growth. The session will also be designed to allow for participation virtually to maximize the potential for off-site participation. We are approaching this as a set of highly interactive sessions that have the potential to initiate communities of practice, in addition to conveying useful information, resources, and instructional techniques for effectively engaging students in authentic and meaningful experiences in varied areas of geoscience and geoscience education.

• NAGT: National Association of Geoscience Teachers -