The American Geological institute (AGI) is sponsoring three national contests in conjunction with Earth Science Week 2010, celebrating the theme of "Exploring Energy," October 10-16.

Author Steven M. Testa will hold a book signing for "One Man's Planet: Earth in Today's Political Culture," at the 2010 joint annual meetings of the Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Pacific Section with Western Region SPE held in Anaheim, California.

Jason Pittman, lead science resource teacher at Hollin Meadows Science and Math Focus School in Alexandria, VA, has been named the 2010 recipient of the Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching.

Today's winter storm expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic 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.