A federation of 46 societies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2010 EARTH Magazine: Ranking Snowstorms Alexandria, VA — Today’s winter storm, expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic region, is being described as “historic.” But really, how do we know? Is just the total amount of snow important, or is it how it affects people? EARTH Magazine Online takes a special look at NOAA’s efforts to categorize snowstorms - similar to the rankings of other natural disasters - and to measure their effects on society. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) has released a new video entitled “This is AGI”. This eight-minute video provides information on AGI’s mission, its history, and details the many services AGI provides to its Member Societies and the general public. “An organization as diverse as AGI with a mission reaching out to many constituencies is hard to describe in a few words. This video provides a genuine and full view of the institute,” says Richard Powers, AGI President. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The American Geological Institute is pleased to announce the winners of the Earth Science Week (ESW) competitions and the International Year of Planet Earth-ESW photo contest. The ESW visual arts contest invited students in grade K-5 to create two-dimensional artworks illustrating the theme “The Climate Where I Live.” Taylor Joe Scott of Portsmouth, New Hampshire won first place in the visual arts contest with a collage comparing landscapes, average sea levels, and wildlife in his area today and 100,000 years ago. [Read More]

The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program is hosting a free webinar on January 26, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm EST. The webinar is part of the GeoConnection Webinar Series and will focus on linking AP courses and earth science literacy with college and university department sustainability. Join AGI for a discussion regarding where Advance Placement (AP) courses fit into the broader issues of improving earth science education and geosciences departments. [Read More]

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? [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Does someone you know teach earth science to students between kindergarten and eighth grade? Do they excel in their teaching through leadership and innovation, bringing new ideas and approaches to teaching about our planet? If so, they may be eligible for the Edward C. Roy Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Given annually, this award recognizes one classroom teacher nationwide for his or her leadership and innovation in earth science education. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) has released its 2010 Publications Catalog in PDF format on the AGI website. Provided in both printer and browser-friendly versions, this catalog details all of AGI’s publications from general interest books, to resource materials, DVDs, CD-ROMs, EARTH Magazine, AGI services and more. Most of the publications and services listed in the catalog are hyperlinked to allow users to simply click on the listing and be taken directly to the AGI publications page that features that item. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) successfully hosted the virtual component of the first Young Earth-Scientist (YES) Congress held in Beijing, China October 25-28. This effort aimed to expand the opportunity for participation to young scientists from around the world. Over 200 individuals from 31 countries took advantage of this unique opportunity to participate, even without attending in person in Beijing. AGI, one of the U.S. supporters of the YES Congress, hosted and coordinated webinars that allowed attendees to watch roundtable presentations live both in Beijing and presented by speakers over the Internet on subjects such as natural resources and earth science education, ask questions of the speakers, and give feedback on the subjects being discussed. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Government Affairs and Workforce Programs have organized a briefing for The Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology (CPST) on Capitol Hill. The topic of discussion is Meeting the Global Innovation Challenge, which will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 4-7 pm in the Rayburn Office Building, Room 2325. Recently, the United States ranked behind Switzerland in the Global Competitive Index, which was developed for the World Economic Forum. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The American Geological Institute (AGI) welcomes three new executive committee officers: G. W. (Skip) Hobbs, President-elect; James M. Robertson, Treasurer; and Jessica Ali-Adeeb, Member-at-large. Skip Hobbs is founder and president of the private sector geoscience consulting and energy exploration company Ammonite Resources. He has served AAPG and is a former AGI Executive Committee Member-at-Large (2004-2007). James Robertson has served as the Wisconsin state geologist since 1993. He has also held several AASG offices and is former chair of AGI’s Government Affairs Program Advisory Committee. [Read More]