Kathy Ellins

Kathy Ellins is an academic affiliate in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin. Her work focuses on geoscience education innovation, including curriculum development, teacher training, and interdisciplinary projects merging geosciences with visual arts. She leads NSF-funded initiatives like DIG TEXAS and EarthLabs, and has collaborated with institutions such as Carleton College, TERC, and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Research & Roles: Ellins specializes in K-12 and undergraduate geoscience education, climate literacy, and arts integration. She has organized national conferences (e.g., 2014 Summit on Undergraduate Geoscience Education) and served on committees like the AGU Geoscience, Art & Design Engagement (GARDEN) community and NSF EarthScope. She also mentors teachers and graduate students in geoscience education.

Awards:

• Fulbright CORE Scholar (UWI, 2015–2016)
• AGU Citation for Excellence in Reviewing (2015)

Grants & Projects: Her work is supported by NSF, NOAA, NASA, and state agencies. Notable projects include GEOPATHS-IMPACT (geoscience field learning), EarthConnections (community engagement), and Jamaica Educational Seismic Network (JAESN). She co-developed EarthLabs modules for climate science education and DIG Texas Instructional Blueprints for high school curricula.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the CyberShARE Center (UTEP), IRIS Seismographs in Schools, and the Science Education Resource Center (SERC). Active in AGU, GSA, and NOAA initiatives.