When the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) recently distributed Earth Science Week teacher kits at Coast Day, attendees dug right in.

“All were gone within a matter of a few hours,” David R.Wunsch, DGS director and state geologist, said. “Several teachers were overwhelmed because they had been looking for this type of information.”

The educational tools included posters, maps, a school-year activity calendar, teacher lessons and exercises, literature, work plans and hands-on experiments for all ages. A computer program also handed out was designed to help students learn about earth science and how it impacts their daily lives.

The teacher kits were furnished by the American Geoscience Institute (AGI), which organizes Earth Science Week annually during the second full week in October. This year the celebration fell Oct. 14-20, exploring the theme of “Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences.”

The toolkit provided students with the opportunity to learn about careers in the geosciences, the geologic time scale, GIS and climate science. Content was developed by the National Park Service, NASA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Esri and professional geoscientific societies.

Giving away the kits at Coast Day, sponsored by the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and Delaware Sea Grant on Oct. 7, was just one of the activities carried out at UD in celebration of Earth Science Week. DGS obtained a governor’s proclamation, reprinted below, and several staff gave presentations about earth science at local schools.

Friday, Oct. 19, of Earth Science Week has been designated Geologic Map Day, where information and links on the Earth Science Week website provide clues for teachers, as well as the general public, to find out what the geology is beneath their home or school. DGS manages the geologic mapping program for the state of Delaware.

Earth science fields such as geology, geography and meteorology potentially offer career openings as scientists in the U.S. government approach retirement age.

The activities help expose students to Earth science and relevant fields such as geology, geography and meteorology, which potentially offer career openings as scientists in the U.S. government approach retirement age. In addition, median salaries for geoscience-related jobs were higher than other occupational positions in 2011 according to AGI.

“Geoscientists work in a broad range of careers, from consultants on Hollywood movies to Wall Street advisers examining rare Earth element mines, resources and reserves,” Wunsch said. “There are a lot of opportunities.”

About the American Geosciences Institute

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other Earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards and interaction with the environment.

About Earth Science Week

AGI coordinates Earth Science Week annually in cooperation with its sponsors and the geoscience community as a service to the public. Each year, community groups, educators and interested citizens organize celebratory events. Earth Science Week offers the public opportunities to discover the earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth.

Proclamation of Earth Science Week

State of Delaware
Office of the Governor
Statement in Observance of Earth Science Week

Whereas, the Earth sciences are integral to finding, developing and conserving mineral, energy and water resources needed for society; and

Whereas, the Earth sciences provide the basis for preparing for and mitigating natural hazards, such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sinkholes and coastal erosion; and

Whereas, our environmental and ecological issues ranging from water and air quality to waste disposal, are dependent upon Earth sciences; and

Whereas, geological factors of resources, our natural hazards and our precious environment are vital to land management and land-use decisions at local, state, national and global levels of government; and

Whereas, the Earth sciences provide us with critical information that helps expand our knowledge and understanding of nature and the future of the world around us; and

Whereas, “Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences,” is the theme of Earth Science Week 2012, will engage young people and the public in learning about the natural processes that shape our planet over time.

Now, Therefore, I, Jack A. Markell, Governor, and Matthew Denn, Lieutenant Governor, do hereby declare October 14th- 20th, 2012

EARTH SCIENCE WEEK

in the State of Delaware to promote public and professional awareness of the importance of Earth sciences in our society.

Jack A. Markell
Governor

Matthew Denn
Lieutenant Governor