Title: CoCo: Code to Communicate a bilingual program to train new coders and scientific communicators of Latin-American identities

Authors: Tamara Aranguiz, Angelique Rosa Marín, Isamar Cortes, Agustina Pesce, Nicole M. Gasparini

Abstract

There is a general lack of training in developing scientific communication (Sci-Comm) skills in Geosciences programs across the globe. Therefore, speakers with a poor ability to share their research are missing the opportunity to make an impact on their audience. On top of that, the new directions toward strengthening geosciences’ coding skills require that students quickly learn a coding language. The barriers to coding and communication skills become higher for non-native English-speaking students from Latin-American identities and regions. Envisioning a learning space where language is not a barrier, CoCo: Code to Communicate program offers training in Python and Sci-Comm for graduate students in Geosciences. Coco is an NSF-funded bilingual program seeking to impact underrepresented students with Latino, Hispanic, and Caribbean roots. We want to present an example of successful academic training conceived, led, and taught by Early Career Researchers in Geosciences who taking advantage of remote working connected students from across the United States and Latin-American countries.