Collaborative research: enhancing quantitative skills in the future earth science workforce through widespread implementation of the math your earth science majors need modules

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Carleton College $374,671 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to expand implementation and adoption of the Math Your Earth Science Majors Need modules across undergraduate earth science instruction.

The project will enhance integration of quantitative skills—mathematics and statistics concepts applied to earth science topics—into undergraduate earth science courses and programs at multiple institution types. Carleton will provide undergraduate faculty with co-curricular learning modules, professional development opportunities, and implementation support to strengthen students' quantitative proficiency and self-efficacy in preparation for advanced coursework, graduate study, and the modern scientific workforce. The initiative targets approximately 60 instructors and over 1,800 students across geoscience subdisciplines, addressing persistent barriers to quantitative literacy in earth science education.

The project runs through September 30, 2029, with place of performance at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. The award is classified as a Project Grant under the Track 1 Engaged Student Learning Track Level 2 IUSE (Improving Undergraduate STEM Education) initiative, which supports faculty and institutional capacity-building in STEM education.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by furthering the adoption and dissemination of quantitative skills learning modules that apply math and statistics concepts to earth science topics. The project will address a critical need in undergraduate earth science education by facilitating undergraduate faculty to effectively integrate quantitative skills into courses and programs, thereby strengthening students? Quantitative skills proficiency and self-efficacy. Strong quantitative skills are essential for student success in advanced courses, graduate school, and the modern scientific workforce. By equipping future geoscientists with these capabilities, this track 1 engaged student learning track level 2 iuse initiative will prepare them to engage with critical national and global challenges such as managing energy resources and securing critical minerals. To overcome persistent educational barriers, the project will provide undergraduate instructors with proven CO-curricular tools and professional development opportunities. The project will reach a range of institution types and expand module adoption across individual geoscience subdisciplines. Approximately 60 instructors and over 1800 students will benefit from these efforts. This work will advance national prosperity by lowering barriers to quantitative literacy and fostering a highly skilled stem workforce. The project will expand the implementation, research, and scaling of the math your earth science majors need modules and address the needs of students and faculty through three primary objectives: 1) leveraging the math your earth science need modules to improve the integration of earth science-critical math and statistics skills in undergraduate earth science courses and programs; 2) improving undergraduate earth science student performance and confidence in math and statistics applications to better prepare them for the workforce; and 3) researching the implementation strategies to provide guidance on effective use of CO-curricular support materials for faculty and students. The project will engage new faculty members and institutions through professional development workshops and webinars. The research component will investigate the various implementation strategies at the course and program-level through faculty feedback surveys and analysis of student data. The science education resource center (serc) will provide dedicated website hosting and data infrastructure. The potential contribution of this project includes generating research-based guidance on effective CO-curricular support models and tracking long-term student performance and confidence gains within discipline-specific stem education. The NSF iuse: EDU program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of stem education for all students. Through the engaged student learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.