GeoSpectrum

The key educational support product for Earth Science Week 2008 (October 12-18) is the Toolkit that enables teachers, students, and the public to explore this year’s theme “No Child Left Inside.” The 2008 edition of this resource is now available through the American Geological Institute (AGI).

The 2008 Toolkit contains several resources developed by AGI, including the new editions of the Earth Science Week Activity Calendar and classroom poster with activities suitable for all ages provided by AGI, its Member Societies and other organizations. In addition to these traditional Toolkit publications, this year AGI’s education department teamed with Walden Media to create a “Journey 3-D” educator guide with 3-D glasses to explore where science fact meets science fiction in the movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D.”

Several other organizations contributed materials for inclusion in the Toolkits. The U. S. Geological Survey provided a 3-D geosciences poster. NASA supplied a CD-ROM of Earth Observations from Space. NOAA provided climate literacy information while ESRI included a CD-ROM on GIS technology and activities. A field notebook with an activity from Rite in the Rain is also part of each Toolkit.

These items and much more can be found in each Earth Science Week Toolkit aimed at engaging the students and general public in exploring the geosciences. The Toolkits are available for the cost of shipping and handling ($6.95 in the United States). Bulk pricing is available. To order, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/materials/.

Earth Science Week is an annual event held the second week of October to promote an understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences. It is coordinated by the American Geological Institute with generous support from the U.S. Geological Survey, the AAPG Foundation, and the National Park Service. To learn more about this event, please visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/.

The American Geological Institute (AGI), in conjunction with its Member Societies, is announcing the release of “Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences.” This concise document suggests policy directions for the next President, his administration, federal agencies and the United States Congress. The document identifies seven national issues and the role geosciences can play in addressing them: energy and climate, water, waste disposal, natural hazards, infrastructure, raw materials, and workforce and education needs.

With energy, natural hazards, and climate change in the news, the geosciences are more visible today than ever before.  The geosciences have never been more central to the major pressing issues facing the nation. “Critical Needs for the Next Century” intends to unite the geosciences so they are heard in the policy making decisions of the next administration.

Dr. Pat Leahy, Executive Director of AGI says “This document highlights the most prevalent issues facing the earth sciences and the nation’s policy challenges for tomorrow.  By distributing this document, we are ensuring that the needs of the nation will be met by the next administration and in turn the efforts of the geosciences community will be recognized as key contributions to tackling society’s needs.  As we struggle to balance energy and economic and environmental well being, the geosciences will become increasingly important.”

AGI is unveiling this document as part of the first annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Day, where over sixty geoscientists will be visiting their members of Congress encouraging steady investment in geoscience research and education. A PDF of “Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century” is available on the AGI Government Affairs Web Site at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/trans08.html.

Dr. John S. Shelton, recipient of the 1993 AGI Outstanding Contribution to the Public Understanding of the Geosciences Award, passed away on July 24, 2008. A geologist and a pilot, Shelton was well respected for his ability to capture earth science on film. As an educator, Shelton was passionate about teaching his students. In addition to the AGI Award, he also received the National Association of Geoscience Teachers “Neil Miner Award” for “exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the earth sciences.” The first public exhibit of 33 of his large-format photographs, “Aerial Portraits of the American West”, is now on display at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, CA.

Recognizing his strong support for agriculture and the conservation of Colorado’s and the nation’s lands, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), received the 2008 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award presented by the Soil Science Society of America on July 17.

A fifth generation Coloradan, Senator Salazar grew up on a ranch in Colorado’s San Luis Valley where his family has farmed and ranched the land since homesteading. The Senator serves on both the Agriculture and Energy and Natural Resources Committees where he is known as a champion for well-informed and science-based development of soil and water resources. His support for the 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs was critical to building awareness in the Senate about the value and promise of soil conservation across the nation.

“It is a great honor to present the Soil Science Society of America’s 2008 Excellence in Soil Stewardship Award to Senator Ken Salazar,” said SSSA President Gary A. Peterson, Colorado State University. “As a farmer and rancher, Senator Salazar has learned the importance of proper soil management to ensuring the long-term productivity of agricultural lands.”

Peterson presented the award to Senator Salazar at a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol and was joined by the leadership of SSSA and the Crop Science Society of America, both scientific societies based in Madison, Wis.

“The Soil Science Society of America provides an important forum for exchange of knowledge and ideas among soil scientists worldwide,” said Senator Salazar upon receiving the award. “As conditions and practices change, soil science research will be critical to helping ensure that America’s farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to provide the food and fiber we depend on. You all do important work in this area, and I look forward to our continued partnership. I am honored to accept this award.”

Geotimes magazine, the flagship publication of the American Geological Institute (AGI), will become EARTH magazine beginning with the September 2008 issue.

Geotimes has delivered the earth science news to the professional community for over 52 years. Since 1999, the magazine has been transformed to become the voice of the geosciences for the general public, while still covering the latest developments within the geosciences.

The content and news coverage Geotimes readers have come to enjoy is expanding. EARTH will continue to explore the science behind the headlines in the areas of earth, energy, the environment, but with 25% more pages of materials, enhanced visual appeal, and an increasingly diverse mix of topics in each issue.

As part of this exciting transition, AGI has enlisted the services of Oehler Media, Inc., to expand the distribution of EARTH to newsstands and bookstores across the U.S. and Canada. For 14 years, Oehler Media has launched or re-launched over 100 magazines nationwide with spectacular results.

For more information, visit http://www.earthmagazine.org which will take you to http://www.geotimes.org until September 1, 2008, at which time EARTH makes its official debut.

Geoscience Currents #13 examines the geographic distribution of US geoscience departments as well as the base student to faculty ratio by state.

Watch the latest Geotimes Videocast covering the opening of the new Smithsonian exhibit “Dig It.”   Sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America, “Dig It!” includes interactive displays, hands-on models, videos and soil samples.  Learn what Geotimes writer, Cassandra Willyard thought about this important exhibit by visiting http://www.geotimes.org/webcasts/article.html?id=SmithsonianSoil.html.

The American Geological Institute’s (AGI) Government Affairs Program seeks outstanding geoscience undergraduate or graduate students with a strong interest in federal science policy for a semester-long internship. Representing the geoscience community in Washington DC, the program actively works with Congress and federal agencies to foster sound public policy in areas that affect geoscientists, including water, energy, and mineral resources; geologic hazards; environmental protection; and federal funding for geoscience research and education. Applications for the spring semester are due by October 15, 2008. For more information about the internship, including how to apply visit: http://www.agiweb.org/gap/interns/index.html

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) applauds the visionary action taken by Senator Sherrod Brown and his colleagues in the Senate who helped usher in legislation to recognize soils as an “essential” natural resource, placing soil on par with water and air.

To view the full release, visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/ssso-srs070808.php

“Dig It! The Secrets of Soil,” is a new 5,000-square-foot exhibition opening to the public on July 19, 2008 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America, “Dig It!” includes interactive displays, hands-on models, videos and soil samples which encourage visitors to learn about different soil types from every state, and around the world.

To learn more about this exhibit, visit http://www.soils.org/smithsonian

A “Dig It!” reception will be held Friday afternoon, July 18. Join (invited) USDA Secretary Ed Schafer, Under Secretary Mark Rey, NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster, and the dozens of NRCS employees involved in the project. Please go to https://www.soils.org/smithsonian/files/dig-it-flyer.pdf to view the invitation.

In celebration of the Dig It! opening, the U.S. National Committee for Soil Science will host a Soils Symposium, Friday morning, July 18 at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC. Co-sponsored by SSSA and the International Union of Soil Science, “Soil: Sustaining Life on Planet Earth,” will feature: David Montgomery, Rattan Lal, Diana Wall, and Daniel Richter.
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/usnc-ss/Soil_Sustains.html