LTER Graduate Student Training: Innovations and Cross-Site Opportunities
Sites throughout the LTER network train/employ graduate students to conduct ecological research and to lead education and outreach activities. This working group will provide a novel platform for education reps, PIs, graduate students, and others to collaboratively share best practices, forge cross-site collaborations, and explore external programs that can deepen and create new opportunities for the graduate student cohort. The discussion will be informed by results from a higher education survey distributed to LTER site education representatives in winter 2012. A short panel discussion will include ideas for 1) cross-site enrichment such as travel exchange to all-scientists’ meetings, 2) innovative courses that teach students to integrate long-term data across disciplinary boundaries, and 3) engaging graduate students in site-based education for K-12 and undergraduate audiences. This meeting should result in an LNO funding proposal for graduate student support.