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]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is announcing that “Understanding Climate” is the theme for the 2009 Earth Science Week. Climate is perhaps the most visible earth science topic in the news. Climate affects humans today just as it has for millions of years. It is also pivotal in understanding how the dynamics of our planet function across different scales of time and space. Earth Science Week 2009 will engage students, educators, and the general public in understanding all the factors driving climate and the role climate plays in the history of Earth and humankind. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute has published a print edition of the Status of the Geoscience Workforce 2009 Report (ISBN 0-922152-83-7). Despite the global economic crisis, the geosciences continue to see opportunity in the future, with commodities like gold pushing historic highs, oil showing signs of rebounding, and the ever present dilemma of the talent gap expected from the retirement of the Baby Boomers. Never before has there been a comprehensive look at the state of the workforce, education, and economic dynamics of the geosciences. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute has posted a PowerPoint presentation of all 147 graphs and charts published in the Status of the Geoscience Workforce Report, released in February 2009. Demographics by age, race, gender, and industry type; student and research funding statistics; commodity pricing, the GDP of the geosciences, and more are all graphed in an easy to use format. AGI is releasing this resource to assist members of the geosciences community in preparing presentations to their colleagues and other stakeholders about the issues and opportunities in the geosciences. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has released the final chapter, entitled Economic Metrics and Drivers of the Geoscience Pipeline, of the Status of the Geoscience Workforce report. . This chapter examines productive activity, commodity pricing and output, gross domestic product contribution, and market capitalization of the industries within which geoscientists work, along with the drivers that influence the geoscience component of the overall economy. The Status of the Geoscience Workforce report is based on original data collected by AGI as well as existing data from federal sources, professional and scientific membership organizations and industry. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has released the third chapter, entitled Geoscience Employment Sectors, of the Status of the Geoscience Workforce report. Chapter Three, Geoscience Employment Sectors, focuses on the demographics and dynamics of the geoscience workforce. The demographics of the workforce, by industry and specialties are examined, along with salaries and experience in these areas. An additional major highlight of the report is a look at the transition of geosciences graduates into the workforce, the current number of jobs, and the projected number of employment opportunities in 2016. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has released the second chapter, entitled Trends in Geoscience Education at Four Year Institutions, of the Status of the Geoscience Workforce report. Chapters 1 and 2 are now available through the AGI website. Trends in Geoscience Education at Four-Year Institutions examines data pertaining to geosciences enrollments, degrees, field camps, and funding dynamics for students, faculty, and research in the United States. [Read More]