Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has released the current data on the percentage of female graduates and faculty members in the geosciences in the latest issue of Geoscience Currents. The geosciences have a lower percentage of female faculty members than the other sciences. This comes as the number of women obtaining geosciences degrees has increased steadily for several decades. The overall percentage of geosciences degrees granted to females stands at 41%. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - GeoRef, the most comprehensive bibliographic database in the geological sciences, is now available through Elsevier’s Engineering Village search platform. GeoRef’s 2.9 million references to geoscience journal articles, books, maps, conference papers, reports and theses are enhanced by the addition of a mapping tool, powered by Google Maps, that plots geographical locations corresponding to search results on a digital map. The option to view search results in a geographic region allows the researcher to visualize the global distribution of a research topic and is unique to the Engineering Village GeoRef offering. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is sponsoring three national contests in conjunction with Earth Science Week 2008 — “No Child Left Inside”, October 12-18. All U.S. residents are encouraged to enter “Earth Science Beyond your Front Door” the 2008 photography contest. This contest asks people to explore the geologic world through the camera. Students grades K-5 who enter the Visual Arts Contest “Studying our Earth” should show themselves as an earth scientist actively studying our planet, through drawing or painting. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the first Geotimes videocast, available both through http://www.geotimes.org and YouTube. The premiere videocast takes a look at the current developments related to the Chaitén eruption in Chile. Geotimes Online is now producing original videocasts of Earth-related news. The videocasts will cover current geologic news, including natural disasters, current research and public policy affecting the geosciences. Anchored by staff writers of the magazine, the videocasts supplement Geotimes’ regular earth science news items throughout the month. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — What can be gained from a new mission to Earth’s twin planet? In the latest issue of Geotimes magazine, the mysteries of Venus are explored. Venus is closer to Earth than Mars, yet little is known about this inhospitable planet. Its metal-melting temperatures and extreme pressure make research on the planet difficult, but Venus could hold keys to Earth’s evolution and future. Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) was formed by NASA in 2005 to outline scientific goals for future missions to the planet. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Geotimes magazine examines Google’s efforts to develop affordable renewable energy in the April issue, available online and on newsstands now. Google, Inc. launched RE<C: Renewable Energy cheaper than Coal in November 2007. The goal is to bring renewable energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal, to prices low enough to compete with coal within the next 10 years. Energy from coal-fired power plants runs from 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, making it the cheapest energy source worldwide. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Michelle Brand Buchanan, a teacher at Pineville Junior High in Pineville, has been named the first recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ms. Buchanan received her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas. She has completed postgraduate science and education courses at four additional institutions and is currently a National Board Certified teacher of 7th grade life and environmental science and 8th grade earth, space and environmental science. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geological Institute Workforce Program has released its latest data report, this time looking at the price of crude oil and the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar.* Oil is a global commodity traded in US dollars. As the dollar loses value, the price of oil rises relative to other currencies and value metrics. This “Geoscience Currents” shows that a significant proportion of the rise in global oil prices is tied to the drop in the US dollar. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) Workforce Program has announced the 2007 enrollment and degrees granted in the geosciences statistics in the latest Geoscience Currents. Enrollment rates have remained steady for 2007 with 19,216 undergraduate students and 7,944 graduate students enrolled. The geoscience degrees granted in 2007 also remained steady except for doctoral degrees which showed a large 30 percent increase, mirroring a surge in graduate enrollments in 2003. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — What does the future hold for solar power? Geotimes magazine explores efficient ways of turning the sun’s power into electricity in its April cover story, “Desert Power: A Solar Renaissance.” Solar power has regained popularity amid increasing fossil fuel costs and green initiatives. New technology has made this form of electricity generation even more economically appealing and efficient. Traditional solar panels convert light into energy, but new, more efficient solar thermal power plants focus the sun’s heat to produce energy directly. [Read More]