GeoSpectrum

ASP will be holding their Annual Conference September 12-16, 2009 in Millbrae, California. All earth and space science education specialists, K-12 educators, and informal educators are encouraged to attend. “Science Education and Public Outreach: Forging a Path to the Future,” will include presentations and posters to be organized under four theme strands:

• Building on the Momentum of the International Year of Astronomy.
• Connecting the Sciences in the Year of Science.
• Refining our Practice.
• Bridging to the Future.

The deadline for submitting proposals for sessions and posters is June 15, 2009.

To learn more about this important event visit http://www.astrosociety.org/events/meeting.html

The American Geological Institute (AGI) congratulates all of the members of the geosciences community who joined it in efforts to demonstrate the importance of maintaining geoscience programs on college and university campuses. In particular, AGI is pleased that the leadership of the University of Florida has recognized the critical role of the geosciences in addressing societal issues of the state and Nation, and in the portfolio of a well-rounded university education by preserving the geosciences on their campus as they make the difficult budget decisions faced in this economic downturn.

AGI strives to expand awareness of the role of the geosciences as a discipline and a profession through its outreach activities and the publications “The Critical Needs of the Twenty-First Century: The Role of the Geosciences” to policy-makers and “The Status of the Geoscience Workforce” report. AGI’s Workforce Program supports the development of the profession while EARTH magazine exposes the general public to the vital importance of the geosciences through monthly general interest earth science news features.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 45 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment. Learn more at http://www.agiweb.org.

The Geological Sciences department at the University of Florida had been slated for the chopping block due to school wide budget cuts. The department actively campaigned along with several prominent geological organizations (including the American Geological Institute) to highlight the importance of the geosciences at the University. After gaining nationwide attention, the successful campaign to keep the department open, coupled with lower than expected budget cuts school wide, has paid off. The Geological Sciences Department will continue to be a vital part of the University into the future.

The American Geological institute (AGI) is sponsoring three national contests in conjunction with Earth Science Week 2009, “Understanding Climate,” October 11-17.

All U.S. residents are encouraged to enter “How Climate Shapes my World” – this year’s Earth Science Week photography contest. Entrants should use their cameras to capture an image that best represents the climate in their local environs.

Students in grades K-5 are eligible to enter the visual arts contest, “The Climate Where I Live.” Submissions should illustrate not only what the climate is like today in your town, but what it was like 100,000 years ago.

The essay contest “Climate Connections,” is open to students in grades 6-9. Submissions should focus on how climate interacts with all of the earth systems in their community and how those earth systems in turn influence climate.

Earth Science Week is organized annually by AGI with support from a number of other geoscience organizations, including the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, National Park Service, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation.

To learn more about Earth Science Week and these contests please go to http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/.

A recent fossil find, Darwinius masillae, is being heralded as the “missing link” in primate evolution. EARTH Magazine looks into the claims the research team is making to the media and comparing it with the published research on this fossil. To learn more about the many different viewpoints on this fossil find, visit EARTH Magazine online at http://www.earthmagazine.com/earth/article/21f-7d9-5-14

While homes are being lost and firefighters go about the dangerous work of fighting the Santa Barbara wildfires in California, EARTH magazine is reporting on new research that highlights a different approach: When fires near in, consider staying and defending your home instead of evacuating.

As fire season starts in North America, what can be learned from major fires on other continents and the losses of property and lives? “When Wildfires Attack,” published in the June issue of EARTH magazine, discusses the strategies and conditions that may make fleeing a forest fire the lesser option. Find out what citizens are doing in Australia to protect their lives and properties and how those techniques could be put into place in the United States as the 2009 wildfire season begins.

Look for the June issue of EARTH on newsstands near you.

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 news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affect you every day.

In the May 7^th issue of STEM Trends, CPST brakes down the latest data on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Bachelor’s degrees granted in 2006. Statistics include data by gender, race, and citizenship status. In 2006, the largest percentage of STEM bachelor’s degrees were granted to white females. The report also brakes down the bottom and top 10 states ranked by the percentage of women STEM degree recipients in 2006.

To read issues of STEM Trends, please visit http://www.cpst.org/hrdata/pages/ComResult.cfm?xDocSource=B.