Exploring Energy - The 2010 Earth Science Week Theme

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the theme of Earth Science Week 2010: “Exploring Energy.”

“Exploring Energy” will engage young people and the public in learning about Earth’s energy resources. It will emphasize the important role earth scientists play in expanding our understanding of the complex interactions of energy resources with earth systems— the planet’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

ESW 2010 materials will highlight the many important energy resource questions earth scientists explore: Where do energy resources come from? How are they found and harnessed? How has energy use changed over time? What is the importance of renewable energy? What does science tell us about timely issues such as conservation and public safety? Where are the energy careers of the future likely to be?

“Energy is a topic that always generates electricity in education,” says Ann E. Benbow, Ph.D., AGI’s Director of Education and Outreach. “Students and teachers are used to hearing about energy crises in the news media. We all understand the vital role that energy plays in our lives. That’s why we’re taking the opportunity during Earth Science Week 2010 to explore energy as a subject of scientific inquiry.”

AGI leads Earth Science Week annually in cooperation with its sponsors and the geosciences community as a service to the public. Each year, community groups, educators, and interested citizens organize celebrations. Earth Science Week offers the public opportunities to discover the earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth. Earth Science Week is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, the AAPG Foundation, the US Department of Energy, NASA, the National Park Service, Exxon Mobil, and LCOoCDT.

ESW 2010 will be celebrated October 10-16. To learn more about this week, ways to become involved; including newsletters, local events, and classroom activities, please go to the Earth Science Week website at http://www.earthsciweek.org.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 46 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