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Illinois celebrates Earth Science Week

Illinois State Geological Survey commemorates event with geological science field trip and distribution of earth science education materials   Send a link to a friend

[October 17, 2007]  CHAMPAIGN -- The Illinois State Geological Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is commemorating the 10th annual Earth Science Week, Oct. 14-20, with a geological science field trip for the public and the distribution of 50 earth science curriculum packets to secondary school science teachers and other educators. These activities are part of the larger national and international celebration organized by the American Geological Institute to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the earth sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth. This year's theme is "The Pulse of Earth Science."

In recognition of this week, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich also proclaimed Oct. 14-20 Earth Science Week in Illinois.

"The 2007 Earth Science Week activities fit in well with the survey's mission to provide the citizens and institutions of Illinois with accurate, objective earth science research and information relevant to the state's environmental quality, economic prosperity and public safety," said Dr. William W. Shilts, chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey.

Activities planned in recognition of Earth Science Week include:

Illinois State Geological Survey field trip on Saturday

More than 100 participants have already registered to attend a field trip at Pere Marquette State Park and surrounding areas of Jersey and Madison counties. The all-day trip begins at the state park Visitor Center and proceeds first to Goat Cliff Trail, where geologists will point out and describe the folds, faults and geologic exposures of the area.

Traveling by car, participants will then proceed through historic Grafton, well-known for its high-quality building stone, en route to the Grafton Visitor Center and Keller Quarry. This area is famous for the number and quality of the trilobite specimens found there. Lunch will be outside the National Great Rivers Museum and the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The museum, opened in 2003 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is dedicated to telling the story of the confluence of three great rivers -- the Mississippi, the Missouri and the Illinois -- in a comprehensive and compelling way.

The fourth stop is the relatively new Piasa Park, home of the modern Piasa Bird pictograph. Geologists will tell the history, legend and lore surrounding the Piasa. The park also is a good location to view local Mississippian rocks and learn about the local lime and stone industry.

The final stop of the day will be at Kimaterials Inc. Lohr Quarry. Geologists will help participants understand the rock sequence (stratigraphy) exposed in the quarry and the mining operation there. Registration and additional field trip information is available at www.isgs.uiuc.edu.

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American Geological Institute kit distribution

Fifty earth science tool kits, produced by the American Geological Institute, have been made available to the Illinois State Geological Survey for distribution to science teachers for use in their classrooms. The kits offer a wealth of information for teachers and their students. Among the many materials enclosed in the packet are suggestions for use of the kit, an earth science activity calendar for the 2007-2008 school year, U.S. Geological Survey fact sheets and CD, a CD and poster from NASA, a "GIS Solutions for Education" CD from the ESRI software company, a booklet from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, posters, student contests and opportunities, link information to earth science online sites, bookmarks, and several other items. The kits can be obtained from the American Geological Institute at www.agiweb.org.

Find out how you can be involved in Earth Science Week

Visit the American Geological Institute online at www.agiweb.org or www.earthsciweek.org to find out more details about Earth Science Week and scheduled activities to promote awareness of earth science in education and society.

The site also is a gateway to information about the International Polar Year and the International Year of Planet Earth, of which the American Geological Institute is a founding partner. A wealth of earth science information and many useful earth science information links can be found there as well.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation, founded in 1948 and currently composed of 44 geoscientific and professional associations representing more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists.

For earth science information specific to Illinois and the central region, and to learn more about Illinois State Geological Survey programs, visit www.isgs.uiuc.edu.

[Text from Illinois Department of Natural Resources file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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