ESSE 21, a leader in systemic change for interdisciplinary Earth system science education at the undergraduate level, emphasizes the understanding of Earth as a system of interrelated air, water, land, life and social processes. Led by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and sponsored by NASA, ESSE 21 offers colleges and universities small, competitive grants to develop Earth system science courses, curricula, and degree programs. ESSE 21 engages a collaborative community of educators and scientists as partners in jointly developing and sharing courses and learning resources focused on Earth system science research and application. ESSE 21 places special emphasis on reaching minorityserving institutions.
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“Through a small investment, ESSE's impact at the University of Michigan was large in developing the most popular science course for non-science majors … “ Tim Killeen, NCAR (formerly U of Michigan)
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"The ESSE Program has had a significant impact on me and on my colleagues in our departure from traditional disciplinary teaching paradigms …” Stuart Gage, Michigan State University
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"ESSE has been a terrific support system for our vision of interdisciplinary science …” Susan Alexander, Cal State Monterey Bay
Unique Educational Contributions
Since 1991, ESSE 21 and its forerunner - the Earth System Science Education (ESSE) Program - have supported 63 college and university teams, developing over 100 Earth system science courses that have reached over 50,000 students with relevant and compelling science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) content focused on understanding Earth. Stimulated in part by ESSE, participants are developing new undergraduate Earth System Science degree programs (e.g., at the Univ. of Illinois Urbana Champaign) while others are establishing new emphases in Earth system research and education (e.g., at Jackson State University). Nearly all of the college and university courses, curricula and degree programs initiated as part of ESSE continue to be offered.
Societal Benefits
ESSE 21 participants stimulate their students' critical and creative thinking with Earth system models, research results, data and visualizations available from NASA and the broader interdisciplinary community engaged in Earth system science. These resources increase opportunities for teaching and learning about the Earth as a system while developing competency in underlying STEM principles. Expanding Earth system science at our nation’s universities is critical to developing a workforce qualified to address our society’s challenging Earth system and environmental problems while fostering a scientifically literate citizenry that can make informed decisions about these problems. ESSE 21 actively engages minorityserving institutions (MSIs) as community members and partners, providing a rich and supportive framework to explore and develop materials and courses that strive for educational excellence and meet specific minority institutional needs. ESSE 21 fosters deep and long-term relationships among research and education colleagues from around the country.
Outgrowths
ESSE participants contribute their experience to the ESS community broadly through interaction and leadership within professional societies such as the American Geophysical Union, and community programs such as the Digital Library for Earth System Education. Program participants have engaged significantly in the growing dialogue about ESS educational issues, and contribute to national and international systemic education reform. Some ESSE universities leverage their involvement to attract additional outside support for major educational programs; a case in point is the Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability at Washington University of St. Louis. ESSE’s most sustaining value is through its impact on human capital for our future – students involved in the program become teachers, faculty members, community leaders and decision-makers who naturally bring their knowledge of the Earth system approach to all aspects of their lives, and reflect a shared responsibility to exercise informed stewardship of the planet.
