The American Geological Institute (AGI) announces the publication of The Geoscience Handbook: AGI Data Sheets 4th Edition. The book is now available for pre-order and is expected to ship to customers on September 15th, 2006. The Geoscience Handbook is the latest edition of AGI's long-standing Data Sheets publication. With a new format and expanded coverage of technical topics across the geosciences, the Data Sheets earned its new title for the 4th edition. This compilation of geologic information includes references for key geological concepts and short tutorials useful for all professionals and students needing geoscience information quickly in the field, office or lab. The Geoscience Handbook covers diverse subjects from geophysics to geologic map symbols to GPS usage and everything in between.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) launched K-5 GeoSource (http://www.k5geosource.org/), a professional development Web site for elementary-level teachers who teach earth science topics such as weather, fossils, rocks, soil, water and more.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) has conducted a survey of students majoring in the geosciences and faculty to ascertain their attitudes towards employment in the geosciences. With a large percentage of the workforce retiring in coming years, job opportunities for recent graduates are plentiful with more openings than applicants to fill them. But many students are either unaware or uninterested in the fields where these employment opportunities exist.

The Alaska Mineral & Energy Resource Education Fund (AMEREF), a partnership between the Alaska Department of Education and private industry, has purchased 4,000 Environmental Awareness Series books published by the American Geological Institute (AGI) to be distributed to Alaskan educators as part of the Alaskan Resources Kits.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - In support of Earth Science Week 2006 (October 8-14), the American Geological Institute (AGI), working with government agencies and other scientific and educational organizations, has developed the 2006 Toolkit for grades K-12 and beyond focusing on "Be a Citizen Scientist".

The American Geological Institute (AGI) conducted a survey to ascertain the number of students enrolled in introductory geoscience courses during the 2004-2005 academic year. 312 geoscience departments responded to this survey reporting a total of 191,778 students enrolled in three categories of introductory courses: physical geoscience, environmental geoscience, and geoscience of the National Parks or public lands. These introductory courses lay the foundation for our knowledge of energy and the environment.

The American Geological Institute is sponsoring three national contests as part of the 2006 Earth Science Week, "Be a Citizen Scientist!" which is held October 8-14. The three contests including Photography, Visual Arts, and Essay, offer opportunities for both students and the general public to participate in Earth Science Week.

To highlight the importance of coal in our daily lives and the environmental concerns that are associated with its mining and use, the American Geological Institute (AGI) has published "Coal and the Environment" (ISBN 0-922152-77-2) as part of the Environmental Awareness Series. Produced in cooperation with the Illinois Basin Consortium, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Office of Surface Mining with additional support from the AGI Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey, "Coal and the Environment" discusses the mining, processing, transportation, use, and environmental aspects associated with this important resource.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) announces the theme for Earth Science Week 2006: "Be a Citizen Scientist!" The year's Earth Science Week, October 8-14, will engage students and the public in conducting real "citizen science" research and help to spread science literacy.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Dr. Robert J. Weimer as the recipient of the 2006 Legendary Geoscientist Award. Established in 1999, the award is presented to a geoscientist who has demonstrated a long history of scientific achievement and exceptional service to the geoscience profession.