Cutler Bay Senior High School’s graduating senior Denise Garcia is one of a few students who has been selected to receive the Scholarship for a Future Generation of Geoscientists at Florida International University.
The program’s purpose is to increase the number of people trained in geoscience. Employment of geoscientists is expected to increase about 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the 7 percent increase for all other occupations combined (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). This National Science Foundation grant provides full-tuition scholarships for academically talented high school students who enroll in and earn a geosciences degree at FIU.
As part of the scholarship program, Garcia will be paired with peer mentors for advice and support, easing transition into college.
She also will be paired with faculty mentors to help identify academic and professional goals, as well as with graduate school applications and job placement. She will receive tutoring for key courses.
In May 2020, Garcia will go on a field trip to the Appalachian Mountains — some of the oldest mountains on Earth — to experience geoscience first-hand. In addition, she will be able to do internships, conduct research and attend science conferences.
“We need a new generation of geoscientists, atmospheric scientists and educators to address water supply, energy resources, severe weather and sea level rise issues,” said René Price, chair of the FIU Department of Earth and Environment. “I hope these scholarships will help us increase the number of qualified geoscience professionals in the field and diversify it, too. A diverse work force is really important in finding creative solutions to complex problems.”
