Karen N. Mason Buckland 2008 UGRO Project Nicaragua

Goal Devise And Complete A Project That Incorporates GIS Technology, Geology, And The Nicaraguan Community.

Proposed Idea Develop and copyright a bilingual student textbook that provides a comprehensive explanation of Nicaraguan geology. Have numerous color copies of the textbook published, including individual paper workbooks. Distribute the textbooks and workbooks to the Nicaraguan public schools. Make it available for mission groups to distribute also.

Textbook Content Classifications, descriptions and photographs of indigenous Nicaraguan rocks and formations. Explanation of the tectonic activity in Nicaragua and drawings of the tectonic plate. Describe the geological formation history of Nicaragua Earthquake, Volcano and Tsunami Information and pictures.

Textbook Content, Cont. Maps of Nicaragua GIS and GPS information and pictures of equipment Local Rock Sample Identification Card Subduction Data and Fault Pictures Safety tips for geological emergency situations

Workbook Content Crossword Puzzle Word Search Conceptual Questions Rock Identification Practice Blank Maps Basic Geology Information Mohs Hardness Scale Project Ideas Volcano diagrams Safety Review

Education Statistics Only approximately 67% of population is literate. The average completed grade level is 5. Most Nicaraguan children do not attend school past Age 12. The schools are under- funded There are almost 57,000 students in the country. Nicaragua has one of the lowest literacy rates in Central America. The Nicaraguan government is implementing a four part education reform.

Resources Local Libraries Internet, including Nicaragua government sites and USGS.gov Bilingual friends and translating tools. All the Professors involved in Ugro Information from the previous trips to Nicaragua. Local churches that have done mission work in Nicaragua. CHESS, a US based group focused on Nicaraguan educational needs. Personal visit to Nicaragua.

Project Timeline-2008 February-Trip to Nicaragua, collect rocks March- Complete workbook, find publisher April-Complete text and photo layout for textbook May-Complete translation of text June-Submit for a Copyright July-Promote book August-Submit for publication Sept/Oct.-Present to National Geological Conference.

Anticipated Outcome Successfully create a textbook that will: I.Be distributed to the schools throughout Nicaragua (especially those in need of books) II.Teach the students in Nicaragua about the geology of their country III.Create and interest in science and teach safety to the children of the country.