Be a Citizen Scientist

Byline: Ann E. Benbow and Geoff Camphire During Earth Science Week (October 8-14, 2006), millions of citizen scientists worldwide will be sampling groundwater, monitoring weather, touring quarries, exploring caves, preparing competition projects, and visiting museums and science centers to learn about Earth science. The American Geological Institute (AGI) organizes this annual event to encourage better understanding of the Earth sciences and stewardship of the planet. Guided by this year's theme, Be a Citizen Scientist!, Earth Science Week 2006 activities will engage students in real research and help spread science literacy among ordinary citizens. One way to engage students in real research is through "EarthCache EventCache," organized by The Geological Society of America (GSA), a major event partner. This activity, which kicks off the week's celebration on October 8, involves geocachers across the United States who will visit geological outcrops, fossil and mineral collecting sites, relevant college departments, and state geological surveys. Once there, Earth scientists and other experts will provide exciting and educational talks about their site. To set up an EarthCache or learn more about how you and your students can participate, see www.geocaching.com or contact GSA at cmclelland@geosociety.org. Getting involved Earth Science Week offers teachers many free resources to engage students and spark activity. Available for order at www.earthsciweek.org, the Earth Science Week Toolkit contains a wealth of resources. The Earth Science Activity Calendar for the 2006-2007 school year, for example, features an engaging activity each month. In addition, the calendar provides a wealth of information about upcoming geoscience events, historical dates relating to Earth science, ways to participate in Earth Science Week, and links to resources on the web. Teachers can hang the calendar in the classroom, where their students can use it throughout the current school year. The toolkit, free with a small fee for shipping and handling, also features many more materials-thought-provoking CD-ROMs, colorful posters, a Why Earth Science? brochure, geoscience maps, lithographs, and activity sheets-designed by AGI and partners including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, National Park Service, Incorporated Research Institutions in Seismology, Geological Society of America, Scholastic, and S'Cool. …