Earth Science Week, an annual grassroots
effort sponsored by the American Geological Institute (AGI) and
its member societies, including AAPG, will be held Oct. 7-13.
The aim is to increase public understanding of the
earth sciences. As geoscientists develop earth science outreach
programs in their local schools and communities, the collective
impact of their efforts continues to grow.
During Earth Science Week 2000, scores of celebrations
-- including field trips, demonstrations, lecture series, film series,
exhibits, school visits and open houses -- took place in all 50
states, Australia, Canada and at least 20 other countries. Eighteen
AGI member societies and more than 100 state geological surveys,
regional societies, academic geoscience departments, museums, libraries
and federal agencies hosted these events and activities.
In addition, 30 state governors, the mayors of several
cities and former President Clinton issued proclamations and messages
in support of Earth Science Week.
This year, for the first time, Earth Science Week
has a general theme, "Evolution in Earth History." A poster is inserted
in this issue of the EXPLORER to help students and adults gain a
better understanding of one of the fundamental underlying concepts
of modern science -- evolution.
It is hoped that members may either use the poster
as a personal teaching tool, or to pass along to a teacher or others
who may make use of the information it contains.
You can use the dramatic timeline and engaging activity
on the poster to illustrate how much Earth has changed through time.
The Earth Science Week information kit for 2001 includes a variety
of posters, bookmarks and other materials that illustrate this concept.
The kit contains a new 32-page Ideas and Activities
booklet, which emphasizes evolution in earth history through an
array of activities about rocks, fossils and geologic time, as well
as information on the upcoming PBS series "Evolution," slated for
airing in late September.
Single copies of the Earth Science Week information
kit are available at no charge from AGI. You may request a kit on
the Earth
Science Week Web site, www.earthsciweek.org; by phone, (703)
379-2480; or fax, (703) 379-7563.