132-10 GenAI in the Geoscience Classroom: Adapting Syllabi and Assignments

Session: Diversifying Geoscience Education Across the Academic Playing Field: Using Creative Methods to Foster the Current and Next Generations of Geoscience Professionals, Part II

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Since the introduction of widely available sources in 2022, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has greatly impacted the student learning experience and challenged how educators teach. Effective use of GenAI is evolving into a highly desirable skill, and training in GenAI was mandated by Executive Order 14277 across the education system. Despite the rapid development of GenAI capabilities, educators lack systematic approaches for integrating GenAI into their classes to prepare students. Educational institutions have been making efforts to address GenAI use by providing higher-order guidelines for syllabus construction, but these still lack practical, discipline-specific advice. To bridge this gap, we offer tangible plans for educators teaching both upper- and lower-level geoscience courses. This includes crafting appropriate syllabus language, designing assignments that use GenAI effectively for geoscience applications, and facilitating constructive discussions about GenAI's role in geological research and practice. This systematic approach enables educators to confidently move forward with course development and execution that enhances the geoscience experience for students while introducing GenAI as a legitimate tool for both research and professional work.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

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