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Missouri Celebrates Earth Science Week
Oct. 12 through Oct. 18

"No Child Left Inside" theme for 10th annual event
Educator Guide | Contests | Books and Trading Cards
School children learn about rocks, minerals, fossils and topographic maps

Newburg Middle School	Lucy Wortham James Elementary

St. James and Newburg students and their teachers marked Earth Science Week 2008 by learning about rocks, minerals, fossils and topographic maps. "No Child Left Inside" was this year's theme. Helping young people explore Earth science firsthand was this year's goal for staff members with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey. The division partners annually with the American Geological Institute during Earth Science Week to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth.

While every effort was made to engage students in outdoor activities, Mother Nature decided that rain was the order of the day on Tuesday. However, that did not stop Cecil Boswell, a technical assistant with the division's Environmental Assistance Unit. Boswell toted rocks, minerals and fossils to Lucy Wortham James Elementary School in St. James, where more than 120 fourth grade students were able to participate in a hands-on geology course. He spoke about the rock cycle, rock hardness and rock types, and, when Boswell held up a sample of hematite (iron ore), the students knew its significance. The fourth graders were aware that iron ore was mined nearby, in the Maramec Spring area during the 19th century. "The students knew that the school's namesake was the great-granddaughter of the founder of Maramec Iron Works," said Fourth-Grade Teacher Rachael Hitch. Maramec Iron Works, near St. James, was the first commercially successful iron smelter west of the Mississippi.

Thursday's sunny, crisp fall weather was excellent for an outdoor classroom held on the grounds of the elementary school in Newburg. Geologist Edie Starbuck spent part of the morning with 40 sixth grade students and science teacher Christy Campbell. Starbuck shared information about geology basics, such as rock types and uses for rocks and minerals in everyday life. She identified rock samples that the sixth graders brought from their personal collections.

A demonstration by Hylan Beydler, the division's information officer, using a Panasonic Toughbook™ tablet computer, outfitted with a global positioning satellite receiver, helped to shed light on some of the technology that geologists use daily. Starbuck finds the system especially helpful when she is doing field work and research for her geologic mapping projects. The system enables her to track her movements and to record field investigations tied directly to topographic maps that she has loaded on the computer. Once in the office, she is able to import her observations, field notes and data files into a geographic information system, in order to create geologic maps. The students were familiar with topographic maps, having begun a chapter on maps and map reading. Exploring rocks and formations along the nearby bluff and creek rounded out the morning.

"Our students had a great time learning about the rocks and topography that we find right here in our area," said Sixth grade science teacher Christy Campbell. "They were involved and active. Staff from the Rolla office created a valuable learning experience for us."

Joe Gillman, state geologist and division director, noted, "We enjoy engaging students in discovering the earth sciences, and we are especially pleased that our educators highlight the earth sciences as a career choice." Geologists and land surveyors play important roles in society's use and protection of our natural resources.

The division offers a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils, fact sheets, and maps. Educational trading cards and books about Missouri's fascinating geology continue to be favorites of Missourians and visitors. They also make great holiday gifts.

Visitors are welcome to tour the Ed Clark Museum of Geology, located in Rolla and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The publications sales desk, also in Rolla, may be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827 or visiting the Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology. Additional information about Earth Science Week may also be found on the division's Web site.

Earth Science Week
Oct. 12 through Oct. 18, 2008

Fifth grade student Spencer Gordon is joined by Bill Duley and Joe
Gillman to announce Earth Science Week. Gordon is in Mrs. Conkling's
class at Rolla Middle School. Gillman is the state geologist and director
of the Geology and Land Survey Division with the Department of
Natural Resources. Duley is assistant state geologist and deputy
division director.

The Governor declared the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 as Earth Science Week to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

"No Child Left Inside" was selected by the American Geological Institute as the theme of Earth Science Week 2008 to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences.

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Educator Guide

"We are pleased to partner with the American Geological Institute to encourage young people to learn about the geosciences by getting away from the television, off the computer and outdoors," said Joe Gillman, Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey director and state geologist. "We encourage our educators to highlight the earth sciences as a career choice and demonstrate the benefits earth sciences bring to the community. We know for certain that learning takes place in the classroom, and parents as well as teachers play a vital role in embracing this year's "No Child Left Inside" theme."

Geologists and land surveyors play important roles in society's use and protection of natural resources. The department has a long history of providing geology and land survey expertise to Missouri. "Earlier this year, our Geology program marked 155 years of service to the citizens of Missouri," Gillman said. Additionally, our Land Survey Program, established in 1970, pre-dates the formation of the department by three years."

Staff members from Gillman's Rolla office are helping to spread science literacy to benefit Missourians by speaking to students in area classrooms during the week. Additionally, staff will offer some of the division's most popular books and educational trading cards during the Rolla Downtown Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18. These fascinating books and cards continue to be favorites of Missourians and visitors to our great State. They also make great Christmas gifts.

Several contests are under way during Earth Science Week and are open to U.S. residents of any age. They include two photography contests, a visual arts contest and an essay contest. Entries are being taken from across the nation, and the prizes are out of this world!

Check out last year's
activities in Missouri.

The department's Division of Geology and Land Survey offers a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils, fact sheets, maps and educational trading cards. To thank Rolla Middle School student Spencer Gordon for helping announce Earth Science Week, Gillman presented Gordon a set of Missouri Resources Trading Cards. The educational cards cover different general interest topics including caves, ice age animals, rivers, springs, land surveying, rocks, minerals, dams, wells and past state geologists. The cards are suitable for children and adults of all ages.

Visitors are welcome to tour the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The publications sales desk, which is located in Rolla, may be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827 or visit on the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology. Additional information about Earth Science Week may also be found on the Web site.

Missouri Celebrates Earth Science Week Oct. 12 through Oct. 18

Earth Science Week Oct. 12 through Oct. 18, 2008

Missouri Celebrates Earth Science Week
Oct. 12 through Oct. 18

Earth Science Week
Oct. 12 through Oct. 18, 2008