GeoSpectrum

Geoscience Currents #44 examines premiliminary data from a survey of four-year institutions of higher learning regarding the acceptance of high school Earth science courses as part of the admissions process. As of May 8, 2011, 226 schools responded. The preliminary results indicate that 77.0% of the surveyed institutions accept high school Earth science courses, but there can be conditions on that acceptance. Almost 1/3 of those schools stating they accept an Earth science course for admission require that it must be “laboratory-based.” To date, only 5.8 percent of schools responding to the survey do not accept an Earth science course for college admission. Read more in Geoscience Currents #44.

The YES Network and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) will be hosting a townhall meeting at the 2011 European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria from 19:00-20:00 on April 5. This event will address some of the key factors in aligning graduate aspirations with employer needs. Event speakers will include representatives from geoscience early-career networks, geoscience employers, recent geoscience graduates, and current geoscience students.

The discussion will draw on experience and knowledge gleaned from the 2010-2011 responses to the YES Network Decision Points Survey. The meeting will identify aspirations and employment requirements as well as aims to improve graduate-industry communication.

For those not attending the EGU General Assembly, the townhall meeting will be live web-cast. Web-based participation is being provided for free by the American Geological Institute (AGI). Registration details are posted on the YES Network’s website: http://www.networkyes.org/index.php/meetings/egu_2011/ .

The YES Network (http://www.networkyes.org/) is a professional network for the support of early-career professionals and students in the geosciences. The YES Network not only encourages the active participation of early-career geoscientists and geoscience students, but also of those who are interested in supporting this global network. The YES Network was formed as a result of the International Year of Planet Earth in 2007. Its first international Congress was in Beijing, China in 2009 and focused on climate, environmental and geoscience challenges facing today’s society, as well as career and academic pathway challenges faced by early-career geoscientists. Since the conference, the YES Network has more than tripled its membership, and its members are involved a variety of geoscience projects and conferences around the world. The YES Network aims to establish an interdisciplinary global network of individuals committed to solving these challenges, and furthering the IYPE motto of “Earth Sciences for Society.” As the YES Network has developed as a self-organizing network, there are no membership fees or dues.

The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS – http://www.apecs.is/) is an international and interdisciplinary organization for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early faculty members, educators and others with interests in Polar Regions and the wider cryosphere. Our aims are to stimulate interdisciplinary and international research collaborations, and develop effective future leaders in polar research, education and outreach.

If you ask someone involved in community remote sensing to define the emerging field, the most likely response will be a chuckle followed by “That’s a hard question to answer…” At its core, the movement is about remote sensing - collecting data from afar. Remote sensing has revolutionized science and Earth monitoring, but it fails to collect data at the hyper-local level. And that’s where the community comes in.

Learn how you can use handheld technologies such as smartphones, GPS devices and digital cameras to help scientists in the Trends column “The Rise of Community Remote Sensing” in the April issue of EARTH. And don’t miss our stories on topics such as how microbes survive for tens of thousands of years in salt crystals, how black carbon affects climate, and whether science education is passing or failing in the U.S. in the April issue. Also be sure to check out our story about discovering dinosaur tracks in a New Jersey housing development.

These stories and many more can be found in the April issue of EARTH, now available digitally (http://www.earthmagazine.org/digital/) or in print on your local newsstands.

For further information on the April featured article, go to http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/429-7db-3-15 .

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

Black carbon - fine particles of soot in the atmosphere produced from the burning of fossil fuels or biomass - a major contributor to the thick hazes of pollution hovering over cities around the world, has been known to be a health hazard for decades. But over the last decade, scientists have been examining in increasing detail the various ways in which these particles contribute to another hazard: heating up the planet.

Black carbon’s impact on climate is not cut-and-dried, however, as EARTH explores in “Still in a Haze: What We Don’t Know About Black Carbon” in the April issue. Does black carbon decrease the albedo in snow-covered areas, thus warming the planet? Or does it increase cloud cover, thus cooling the planet?

Learn more about black carbon’s mysterious effects on climate, and read other stories on topics such as how microbes survive for tens of thousands of years in salt crystals, how Earth is becoming dustier, and whether invasive species have caused mass extinctions in the past in the April issue of EARTH. Plus, don’t miss the surprising story about discovering dinosaur tracks in a New Jersey housing development.

These stories and many more can be found in the April issue of EARTH, now available digitally (http://www.earthmagazine.org/digital/) or in print on your local newsstands.

For further information on the April featured article, go to http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/428-7db-3-e .

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

In 1993, “Jurassic Park” thrilled the world with the idea that dinosaurs could be resurrected from bits of DNA preserved in mosquitoes trapped in ancient amber. In the 18 years since the movie came out, scientists have been finding that parts of this scenario are closer to reality than anyone ever imagined: Researchers have found microbes living for tens of thousands - and maybe millions - of years inside salt crystals.

These findings raise exciting questions, as EARTH explores in “Bacteria Back From the Brink” in the April issue. Could these hibernating microbes be brought back to active life today? If so, what can such microbes tell us about ancient life on Earth? And could similar microbes also be living on other planets?

Learn more about how these fascinating microbes stay alive over millennia, and read other stories on topics such as how black carbon affects climate, how to figure out if there is hexavalent chromium in your drinking water, and whether science education is passing or failing in the U.S. in the April issue. Plus, don’t miss the surprising story about discovering dinosaur tracks in a New Jersey housing development.

These stories and many more can be found in the April issue of EARTH, now available digitally (http://www.earthmagazine.org/digital/) or in print on your local newsstands.

For further information on the April featured article, go to http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/423-7db-3-7 .

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

In the back alleys of the world’s capitals and the ballrooms of presidential palaces exists a black market that preys on the imagination of some and the greed of others. These black-market items are not of this world: They are moon rocks, collected decades ago by six Apollo missions and three unmanned Soviet missions to the moon.

For the past decade, former NASA investigator Joseph Gutheinz Jr. has been tracking this lunar larceny — with a good bit of success. In the March feature “A Memoir: A Decade-Plus of Tracking Lunar Larceny,” Gutheinz recalls some of the most famous thefts and losses of the Apollo moon rocks. He also details how he and his students have helped uncover some of these thefts and helped recover several of the missing rocks.

Read more of this crime-fighting memoir in the March issue, as well as other analytical stories on topics such as how remote sensing is helping aid agencies prepare for famine before it strikes, how oil and water helped the U.S. and the Allies win World War II, and who should be paying for cleanup after wildfires and landslides strike.

These stories and many more can be found in the March issue of EARTH, now available digitally (http://www.earthmagazine.org/digital/) or in print on your local newsstands.

For further information on the March featured article, go to http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/410-7db-2-16 .

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to welcome its 49th Member Society, the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA).

IMGA was established in 2006. Since that time, its nearly 500 members represent 73 countries. This multi-national organization facilitates interactions between geoscientists and biomedical and public health researchers to address human and animal health problems created by geologic materials and processes.

Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, AGI Executive Director, says of IMGA’s addition to the AGI federation, “IMGA is an association that truly matches with AGI’s mission to increase the awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society. Human health directly relates to the earth sciences, be it access to safe drinking water, or geo-engineering to live safely in an area of high earthquake risk. IMGA assures that the quality application and knowledge of the geosciences protect society.”

To learn more about IMGA please visit their website at http://www.medicalgeology.org/index.htm.

The U.S. had two key strategic advantages over the Axis in World War II: oil and water. Although other factors played major roles in the U.S. and its allies winning the war, these two natural resources played a much larger role than recognized.

World War II was the first highly mechanized war. In the March feature “How Oil and Water Helped the U.S. Win World War II,” EARTH magazine explores how the abundance of domestic US oil and water in the South and Pacific Northwest drove not only tanks and planes, but also industrial production and technological innovation. That energy allowed the U.S. to supply its military and its allies with aircraft, armored vehicles and tanks and other heavy equipment — as well as the atomic bomb — that eventually overpowered Germany and Japan.

Read more of this historical analysis in the March issue, as well as other stories on topics such as how remote sensing helps aid agencies prepare for famine before it strikes and who should be paying for cleanup after wildfires and landslides strike, and follow along as a former NASA special investigator details a decade-plus of tracking moon rock thefts.

These stories and many more can be found in the March issue of EARTH, now available digitally (http://www.earthmagazine.org/digital/) or in print on your local newsstands.

For further information on the March featured article, go to http://www.earthmagazine.org/earth/article/40e-7db-2-f .

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

The American Geological Institute is pleased to announce the 48th Member Society of the AGI Federation, The National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

Originally part of the National Park Service, The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), is a non-profit organization with three founding partners: The National Park Service; the City of Carlsbad; and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. NCKRI exists to advance cave and karst science, serve as a repository for data, foster partnerships, promote educational programs, develop both national and international programs, and promote environmentally sound and sustainable cave and karst management.

Their addition to the AGI federation adds to the quality speleological and hydrological organizations already part of AGI’s member society council. NCKRI’s active role in research, publishing and developing educational and outreach programs matches well with AGI’s mission. Dr. P. Patrick Leahy, AGI Executive Director says “We are very pleased to include NCKRI as part of the AGI Federation and hope to partner with their staff on shared initiatives to increase the public awareness of the earth sciences. This is an exciting time at NCKRI as they transition to non-profit status and it is our hope that belonging to AGI is beneficial during this process.”

NCKRI’s Executive Director, Dr. George Veni, sees AGI membership as integral to fulfilling NCKRI”s mission. “Roughly 25% of this country is karst, yet most people, including some geoscientists, don’t adequately understand what that means. AGI offers an unparalleled platform for educating the public, policymakers, and the geoscience community about how karst functions, and the resources and challenges it presents.”

To learn more about NCKRI visit http://www.nckri.org/.

Greer Lynn Harvell, a teacher at Clifford C. Meigs Middle School in Shalimar, Florida, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching.

Mrs. Harvell began her career teaching first grade at Elliot Point Elementary where she also later taught 4th grade. Since 2005, she has taught both 7th and 8th grade at Clifford Meigs. Harvell received her A.A. from Okaloosa Walton Junior College (1981) and her B.S. in Education from the University of West Florida (1996).

“We were excited to read about the way in which Mrs. Harvell helps her students to generate and investigate their own questions about the world,” says Ann E. Benbow, Ph.D., AGI Director of Education. “This is the kind of learning that stays with students throughout their lives.”

Dr. Lamar White, Principal of Clifford C. Meigs Middle School, says, “As an instructor, Mrs. Harvell’s main strength is her ability to relate to her students and share their wonder and excitement over scientific discoveries no matter how small.”

Because of her enthusiasm for encouraging scientific exploration, Mrs. Harvell is an active and involved earth science teacher. In the past, she has collaborated with students at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center to conduct research using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). She has presented at STEM and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conferences, coached the academic team, and teams for both the Tech Bowl and the first Lego Robotics competitions, plus she has been a volunteer judge at various science fairs for elementary and middle schools in her district.

Given annually, the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award recognizes one classroom teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade for his or her leadership and innovation in earth science education. This award is named in honor of Dr. Edward C. Roy, Jr., who was a strong and dedicated supporter of earth science education.

Mrs. Harvell will be presented with the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award at the 2011 NSTA National Conference in San Francisco, California. Other finalists for the 2011 award are Amy Clapp of Salisbury Community School in Salisbury, Vermont, and Jan L. French of Cincinnati Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio.