Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Dr. Peter Folger, Specialist in Energy and Natural Resources Policy for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress, as the 2020 recipient of the AGI Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Public Understanding of the Geosciences. At CRS, Dr. Folger has supported greater public understanding of the geosciences. These endeavors begin with a congressional request that often is published for wide distribution beyond the halls of Congress. [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Dr. Rebecca L. Dodge, Professor Emeritus at Midwestern State University, as the 2020 recipient of the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI. Dr. Dodge has longstanding ties to AGI’s Environmental Program both as a co-author of an Environmental Awareness Series publication and as a member of AGI’s former Environment Geoscience Advisory Committee, where she represented the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) welcomes Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) as a Liaison Organization. ESIP’s admission to the AGI Federation was formally approved by the AGI Executive Committee earlier this year. About ESIP ESIP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer, and community-driven organization that advances the use of Earth science data through meetings and virtual collaborations focused on Earth science data-related topics. Created by NASA in 1998, ESIP was formed in response to a National Research Council recommendation calling for the involvement of community stakeholders in the development of NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System as a critical element of the U. [Read More]

In collaboration with the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), the International Raw Materials Observatory, and additional partners, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) invites educators, students, and geoscience enthusiasts to participate in the “Earth Materials Frontiers” Webinar Series during Earth Science Week (October 11-17) and beyond. This webinar series will cover an array of thought-provoking, timely topics relating to the Earth Science Week 2020 theme of “Earth Materials in Our Lives.” Aimed at the general public and education community, the series features: [Read More]

AGI collaborates with its federation of geoscience Member Societies to provide an overview of critical issues and policy recommendations for the next presidential administration, federal agencies, and the U.S. Congress. The document, Geosciences Supporting a Thriving Society in a Changing World, informs policymakers about ways that the geoscience community’s knowledge, experience, and ingenuity can address society’s most pressing issues. Critical Needs Document Identifies Challenges and Solutions for the Next Presidential Administration [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is launching a fall webinar series titled “America’s Geoheritage IT: Identifying, Developing, and Preserving America’s Natural Legacy.” The series will consist of eight free webinars covering various topics related to geoheritage that can be connected to curriculum and instruction in several subject areas. The series will run throughout Fall 2020 on Tuesday mornings at 11 ET/10 CT/9 MT/8 PT, starting on September 8th. Here are the webinar topics and speakers: [Read More]

Alexandria, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) announces back-to-school discounts on publications and electronic resources for the fall semester to assist educators, parents, and the wider geoscience community with virtual learning for students and those geoscientists still working from home. The digital edition of AGI’s bestselling The Geoscience Handbook is discounted by more than 50 percent to $19.60 through September 30, 2020. The digital handbook is available for individual purchasers only. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the release of the 55th Edition of the Directory of Geoscience Departments. The Directory of Geoscience Departments is the most comprehensive source of information about geoscience departments and researchers available. The directory is an invaluable resource for individuals working in the geosciences and all who identify or work with specialists on the issues of Earth, environment, and related fields in science and engineering. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Place your order for an Earth Science Week 2020 Toolkit now. The toolkit contains everything you need to prepare for Earth Science Week (October 11-17, 2020), which celebrates the theme “Earth Materials in Our Lives.” This year’s toolkit includes:* New Earth Science Week poster, including a learning activity Factsheet on minerals in cellphones and Navy gear from USGS NASA materials on water science and a poster on agriculture National Park Service resource on paleontology in our parks Factsheet from the Soil Science Society of America Geologic Map Day poster dealing with Earth materials Mineral Education Coalition material on mineral science IRIS flyer dealing with seismology and earthquakes AmericaView Earth materials board-game poster Geothermal Resources Council poster on energy science American Geophysical Union poster on environmental science UNAVCO sticker and poster on geoscience measurement Switch Energy Project sticky notes about energy science Hydrology flyer from Nutrients for Life Foundation Bureau of Land Management dinosaur coloring page National Science Foundation worksheets on rocks and water GemKids poster from Gemological Institute of America Water Footprint Calculator information on water science The Earth Science Week 2020 Toolkit is free and available for the cost of shipping and handling. [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has recently launched a year-long study to capture the nature and extent of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geoscience workforce and academic programs. This study aims to understand how geoscience employers and educational institutions are changing their workplace and instructional environments and to discover which of these changes will become permanent. Keri Nutter, former and incoming AGI Executive Committee member and past president of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, said, “As our society moves forward through this pandemic, and potentially similar situations in the future, it is critical to understand how our educational system, workforce, and the geoscience profession responded to sudden remote work and how to better prepare and respond in the future. [Read More]