Spring 2007 Newsletter
Spring 2007 Newsletter
From the President
Do you club with
other people interested in geology? If you love geology, the investigation of
rocks and landforms in the field, and experience-based knowledge of the earth,
then you should. Amateur -- i.e. non-academic and non-professional --
geological societies tend to fly below the radar of news media and college
knowledge. Nonetheless, geology clubs are a fascinating and fun sociological
phenomenon, partly because they tend to be low-key, salt-of-the-earth affairs.
Geology clubs are also important because, by keeping the science stirred
together with public experience, they help keep geology vital in society.
The example of a non-professional geological society
that I am most familiar with is the Wenatchee Erratics, a chapter of the Ice Age
Floods Institute (www.iafi.org). The IAFI has been heard from before at NAGT-PNW
meetings and in our newsletter, and I urge you to look into the Institute. The
IAFI promotes general awareness and appreciation of the catastrophic floods
that swept across the
Geology is more than a
profession; it is also an amateur pursuit that benefits from community
awareness and involvement. Geology clubs promote appreciation of earth science
to a broader audience, thereby advancing education, much like the NAGT. Geology clubs erase the boundaries between
earth science professionals, high-level academicians and people who just want
to know what those "interesting black rocks" are. They bring together
people from all walks who enjoy stepping forward and finding out. You probably
already do as an NAGT member, but if not, you should step out and find out,
too, through an amateur geology club near you.
Speaking of stepping out and going on geology field trips,
you should definitely attend our June meeting in
Dr. Ralph Dawes
2007 PNW ANNUAL MEETING!
The 2007 annual meeting of the Pacific
Northwest Section of the NAGT will convene at Portland State University (PSU)
this year, June 19th-22nd. June 14th is the latest date to
register. During the talk/poster
session, you have a chance to learn what your colleagues are achieving in areas
of research and geoscience education.
(Advisors: this is a great
opportunity for your students to present their senior thesis/graduate
posters!). Several exciting field trips
are planned, including one to expand your cultural horizons, “Terroir
(pronounced ‘tεʀwaʀ’) of the Wine
Country of the Northern Willamette Valley,” led by Dr. Scott Burns of PSU. The terroir of a wine describes all of the
physical characteristics that give a specific variety a ‘personality’. From a
geoscience aspect, this includes soils, bedrock characteristics, amount of sun
(aspect), climate and altitude.
In-depth
discussion of the meeting can be found at the end of this newsletter, including
registration materials and a web address.
We hope to see you there!
·
Download Days Inn Hotel flyer
2005 Coos
Bay Meeting-geology, camaraderie & beer, great combination! 2007
promises geology, wine AND beer!
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2007 OEST Nominations
Davene Meehan, OEST Coordinator
Last year Andy Buddington challenged us to
integrate NAGT into our lives and the real world. Inspired I offered to do
anything. I was asked “Would you do OEST?” “Yes.” Then, I went online and
looked it up. This says two things—first I wasn’t really cognizant of what we
do as an organization, which is sad, AND
willingness is more important than “know-how”. I am happy to report that it has
been a most pleasurable experience and an honor interacting with teachers and
principals throughout our region.
How in the world does one find the very best
earth science teacher from
We received 10 nominations—3
from
1.
Dennis
Anderson, WA. Chemistry, biology, geology, physics, and computer
technology.
2.
Eric
Groshoff, WA. Science.
3.
Benjamin
McLuckie, AK. Natural resources, earth science, sciences and math.
4.
Chris
Loewen, BC. Integrates earth
science, science, physical education, and community recreation.
5.
Clay
Good, AK. Oceanography.
6.
Jason
Schmid, WA. Science, advanced
science, and environmental science.
7.
Jeff
Szarzi, AK. Alternative school.
8.
Lynda
Oldow, WA. Earth and life sciences.
9.
Mike
10.
Sheila
Guard, WA. Integrated science including earth science.
For
detailed (and amazing) information on each of these outstanding teachers,
please go to the OEST nominations web page, listed below. Which teacher would you choose?
http:www.nagt.org/files/nagt/organization/northwest/oestnom.pdf
Finally,
thank you for this opportunity to work with this great organization. It has
been a privilege to meet you and to participate in rock collecting and
geological discussions. A job transfer is going to move me to
BC
Science Initiative Underway
Mary Lou Bevier, Univ.
The
Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences
(EOS) at The University of British
Columbia is excited to announce funding for the start of a major new
collaboration with the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (CWSEI). The goals
of this multi-year project are to improve science teaching and learning within
our department by developing new, creative teaching and learning tools,
implementing appropriate assessments aligned with teaching and learning goals,
and building expertise within EOS that will sustain our commitment to
excellence in teaching and learning for many years to come. We are tremendously
excited about this opportunity to improve science education for the general
public as well as for future professionals in earth, ocean, and atmospheric
sciences. In the coming months, we anticipate hiring new people with
EOS-related backgrounds plus passion for and experience in the teaching and
learning of science. For more information, visit: http://www.eos.ubc.ca/research/cwsei/
New at
Mary Lou Bevier, Univ.
On
February 28th the Pacific Museum of the
Earth at the Department of Earth and
Ocean Sciences, UBC, held the official
opening of both a new permanent display, the Precious Minerals Vault, and a
K-12 Teachers' Resource Centre. The opening was well attended by Earth and
Ocean Sciences faculty and staff, UBC Administration, and members of the
resource industry. Remarks were made by Earth and Ocean Sciences Department
Head Paul Smith, UBC President Stephen Toope, and
The
Vault is designed to provide an elegant and secure display area for high value
minerals and gems. Samples are displayed on black metal pedestals and are
spotlighted with brilliant fiber optics. Low lighting in the Vault room creates
the impression that glittering samples are floating in the darkness.
The
Teacher's Resource Centre is a distinct room attached to the museum which
provides space for hands-on exercises
(which are already proving popular) or presentations and which also
features textbooks, multimedia resources, and rock, mineral, and fossil samples
which can be signed out and used in the classroom. For information on the
Photo: Opening
reception at EOS. Mesolite (right) is
one of the specimens on display. Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Parker.
Summer
Field Opportunities
Jenny Thomson, EWU
Attention K-12
teachers (in-service or working toward a degree) or biology or geology
students who are looking for a neat summer learning experience. Once
again,