Alexandria, VA—Stephen L. Houser, Jr., Gifted and Talented Educator at Providence Spring Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina has been named the 2009 recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Mr. Houser, who has taught grades 3-5 for most of his 34-year teaching career, holds an undergraduate degree in geography from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a masters degree in education from University of North Carolina, Charlotte. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The American Geological Institute is sponsoring an international photography contest to celebrate both the International Year of Planet Earth and Earth Science Week 2009. The theme of the contest is “Exploring Earth Science Around the World.” The contest is open to people of all ages worldwide. Contest entrants are encouraged to submit photos that capture the spirit of the International Year of Planet Earth by illustrating earth processes and geoscience research where they live. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA—The essential Earth Science Week 2009 (October 11-17) Toolkit enables students, educators, and the public to fully explore this year’s theme “Understanding Climate.” The latest edition of this resource is now available through the American Geological Institute (AGI).^[1] The 2009 Earth Science Week Toolkit contains a 12-month school-activity calendar and classroom poster provided by AGI, its Member Societies and other organizations. Along with these traditional Earth Science Week publications, this year’s Toolkit features a variety of educational climate resources from the U. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Education Department is making available an extensive database of active earth science organizations. This resource enables educational, community, and interest groups to more easily engage with geoscientists in their community. The Earth Science Organizations (ESO) database is organized by state in an easy-to-use online utility. People and groups interested in organizing events and field trips, learning about their local geology, meeting with geoscientists in their area, or simply to engage with geoscientists on issues of interest related to the earth sciences will find this resource of contact information invaluable. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - EARTH Magazine reports on the important collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Afghanistan government to ensure that the people of Afghanistan can rebuild their country and enjoy a safe and prosperous future. Though a country with some of the richest groundwater resources in the region, decades of war and drought, and prior misuse of resources have limited the amount of clean water available in Afghanistan’s most populous areas. [Read More]

The American Geological Institute (AGI) congratulates all members of the geosciences community who joined it in efforts to demonstrate the importance of maintaining geosciences 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. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — 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 environment2. Students in grades K-5 are eligible to enter the visual arts contest, “The Climate Where I Live. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — 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? [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Many ongoing natural processes and human activities can displace the ground under our homes and communities at considerable economic cost and human suffering. The best solutions to these unstable ground problems are based on awareness of where and how they occur. Living with Unstable Ground, written by Dr. Thomas L. Holzer of the U.S. Geological Survey, explains how soil types, slope movements, catastrophic collapses, and regional ground movement affect communities and how to mitigate these disruptive, dangerous, and costly problems. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) and the AGI Foundation are accepting applications for the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in Earth Science Teaching. Given annually, this award recognizes one classroom teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade for his or her leadership and innovation in earth science education. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and an additional grant of $1,000 to attend the 2009 Geological Society of America annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. [Read More]