AGS Monthly Meeting

Title: Geology for the Next Generation:  Purposeful Training in Geoscience Education

Abstract: Education seems susceptible to a particular form of bias. An instructor learns a thing a certain way, and thus considers this is the way that instruction is done. Over time, the curriculum of a program builds, sometimes by the demands of the job market, and sometimes by the inertia of this bias from the faculty. In his talk to the Atlanta Geological Society, Dr Ricchezza will present a synopsis of the basics of Geoscience Education Research and how it fits with curriculum design for geoscientists. His talk will include selected case studies from his own research, and will discuss how we can move forward as a profession to a more diverse workforce that is trained with the skills suited the jobs they find upon graduation.

Speaker: Victor Ricchezza

Bio: Dr Victor J Ricchezza is an Assistant Professor of Geology working for Georgia State University’s Perimeter College at the Clarkston campus. Dr Ricchezza has worked at PC since Fall 2020. Before working at PC, he was an adjunct instructor for the School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida, where he previously earned a Doctorate in 2019 and a Master’s degree in 2016, both in Geology. While in graduate school, Dr Ricchezza focused research in the subfield of Geoscience Education Research (GER). Put simply, while most geologists study earth materials and processes, he studies how geologists are trained at the university level, and how that process can be continually improved. His specialty within GER is quantitative literacy for geoscience, measuring how geoscientists are taught the quantitative skills they need to succeed professionally. Prior to graduate school, Vic worked as a high school teacher in Fulton County after a decade in environmental consulting. Vic lives a bit outside Atlanta with his wife and 2 kids, far too many cats, and a pile of musical instruments.