Geoscience Outreach: A Collaborative Effort Cindy Martinez Department of Education American Geological Institute

Outreach Programs at AGI Earth Science Week Earth Science Week New programs in development New programs in development Earth Science World Earth Science World Origins Television Series Origins Television Series

Earth Science Week: A Brief History ESW was initiated in 1998 ESW was initiated in 1998 The week has grown to include events in all 50 states and more than 15 countries The week has grown to include events in all 50 states and more than 15 countries State and national proclamations of the week are made each year State and national proclamations of the week are made each year The ESW Website received more than 45,000 visitors in 2002 The ESW Website received more than 45,000 visitors in 2002 Currently organized by the Education Department Currently organized by the Education Department

Earth Science Week: Plans for 2003 New Theme for this year:New Theme for this year: “Eyes on Planet Earth: Monitoring Our Changing World” Dates: October 12-18, 2003.Dates: October 12-18, 2003.

Earth Science Week: New programs and plans Created a newsletter to keep planners and participants up-to-date on Earth Science Week planningCreated a newsletter to keep planners and participants up-to-date on Earth Science Week planning Re-designed website: website: Started a “Sponsor-a-school” programStarted a “Sponsor-a-school” program Will include a Global GIS CD in each ESW kitWill include a Global GIS CD in each ESW kit Encouraging increased national media coverage.Encouraging increased national media coverage. New materials: new kits for teachers, information for event planners, and a new posterNew materials: new kits for teachers, information for event planners, and a new poster

* AGI wants to engage Member Societies, their members and local and regional geoscience societies to participate in Earth Science Week at the “grassroots” level. With help from our member societies, we can reach out to more than 100,000 geoscientists around the world!

Earth Science Week: How can your society get involved? AGI will send 50 free kits to every member society! AGI will send 50 free kits to every member society! Distribute them to your Education Committees, Outreach staff, Regional subcommittees and other volunteers Distribute them to your Education Committees, Outreach staff, Regional subcommittees and other volunteers Encourage your members to participate! Encourage your members to participate! Buy kits for local schools and teachers Buy kits for local schools and teachers Plan to visit a classroom, host an open house, or lead a field trip in their local area Plan to visit a classroom, host an open house, or lead a field trip in their local area Include the Earth Science Week poster in your journals Include the Earth Science Week poster in your journals

Earth Science World: A Gateway to Learning AGI is submitting a proposal to NSF’s Informal Science Education program to fund the creation of an outreach website: Earth Science World.AGI is submitting a proposal to NSF’s Informal Science Education program to fund the creation of an outreach website: Earth Science World. Earth Science World will contain comprehensive, up-to-date scientific information about the Earth sciences accessible to the publicEarth Science World will contain comprehensive, up-to-date scientific information about the Earth sciences accessible to the public The goal of this site: To create a more scientifically literate society by educating the public about the importance of studying the EarthThe goal of this site: To create a more scientifically literate society by educating the public about the importance of studying the Earth

The Site will include information about: Earth Science CareersEarth Science Careers Current events/news in the geosciencesCurrent events/news in the geosciences Image BankImage Bank Earth Science WeekEarth Science Week Learning resourcesLearning resources Virtual field tripsVirtual field trips Summaries of current scientific theoriesSummaries of current scientific theories A book center, Geo-calendar and more!A book center, Geo-calendar and more!

Earth Science World: How can your society get involved? What web-based resources do you have that can be linked with the Earth Science World site? What web-based resources do you have that can be linked with the Earth Science World site? Education or outreach materials Education or outreach materials Discipline-specific information Discipline-specific information Link to the Earth Science World site from your web pages Link to the Earth Science World site from your web pages

ORIGINS Television Series Develop a prime-time television series based on Ron Redfern’s Book: Origins: The Evolution of Continents, Oceans and Life Develop a prime-time television series based on Ron Redfern’s Book: Origins: The Evolution of Continents, Oceans and Life Series will focus on the origin of the circum North Atlantic Basin and the geologic history of North America, Western Europe and North Africa over the past 700 million years Series will focus on the origin of the circum North Atlantic Basin and the geologic history of North America, Western Europe and North Africa over the past 700 million years Related science education materials will be developed, including a DVD and web based product called the Time Navigator System Related science education materials will be developed, including a DVD and web based product called the Time Navigator System

Origins Project Collaboration AGI is planning a broad-based international collaborative which includes participation of major scientific organizations and institutions of higher education AGI is planning a broad-based international collaborative which includes participation of major scientific organizations and institutions of higher education NSF Informal Science Education program NSF Informal Science Education program School of Education and Lifelong Learning, Exeter University School of Education and Lifelong Learning, Exeter University School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma Plan to work with producers from PBS, Discovery, BBC or other educational production teams to create the series. Plan to work with producers from PBS, Discovery, BBC or other educational production teams to create the series. *AGI welcomes collaboration and support for this project from Member Societies. Contact us for more information about how your organization can join in the Origins project!

Action Items: Get involved in outreach with AGI Earth Science Week Earth Science Week Contact me to order 50 free kits for your society Contact me to order 50 free kits for your society Publicize the week to your members Publicize the week to your members Help us distribute the ESW poster Help us distribute the ESW poster Earth Science World Earth Science World Let us know what web resources you have that can help enhance the site Let us know what web resources you have that can help enhance the site

Origins Television Series Origins Television Series Become an affiliate or partner in producing the series Become an affiliate or partner in producing the series Contact us if you are interested in participating in this exciting program Contact us if you are interested in participating in this exciting program Action Items: Get involved in outreach with AGI

By working together, we can really make a difference! Contact me to get involved in collaborating on outreach projects with AGI! Cindy Martinez ext. 227