TDEC to Provide Earth Science Week Toolkits to Teachers Across the State

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has proclaimed Oct. 9-15 Earth Science Week to promote the important role that geology and other earth sciences play in Tennessee’s safety, health, welfare and economy. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has toolkits available for teachers who wish to bring more of the earth sciences into their classroom.

“Earth Science Week is always a special week for students to learn about the natural world around us,” TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau said. “We are pleased to provide these educational tools to Tennessee’s classrooms to help generate excitement and interest in the Earth sciences field.”

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Our Shared Geoheritage.” Geoheritage is the wealth of natural marvels, landforms and resources that have formed over time and passed to people today to manage, use and conserve responsibly. The theme promotes public understanding and stewardship in many areas, including Earth science, energy, paleontology, water quality, conservation and climate science.

A limited supply of free toolkits are available to teachers statewide, courtesy of TDEC’s Tennessee Geological Survey and in partnership with the American Geosciences Institute (AGI).

“The department’s Tennessee Geological Survey plays a critical role in helping us understand and appreciate the value earth sciences have in our daily lives and in the continued protection of our overall health and safety,” Martineau said.

Special items in the toolkit include:

• A 12-month school-year activity calendar;
• An Earth Science Week poster;
• A NASA DVD and material on Earth observation and energy;
• National Park Service posters on geologic and air resources;
• An ecology DVD and more from Howard Hughes Medical Institute;
• A UNAVCO ruler on Earth’s shape, gravity, and rotation, mining, exploration, and reclamation resources from SME;
• Material on energy science from Student Energy;
• An AmericaView Memory Game poster;
• An Exploring Earth and Space coloring book by AGU;
• A geologic timescale bookmark from AIPG;
• A dinosaur worksheet from the Bureau of Land Management;
• An Esri flyer on Topography and Our National Heritage;
• A Geologic Map Day poster with geologic mapping activity; and
• A climate worksheet from American Meteorological Society, brochures, bookmarks, fact sheets, postcards, and more.

Since October 1998, the American Geosciences Institute has organized this national and international event to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth Sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth.

Educators interested in receiving a toolkit should contact Ron Zurawski at Ronald.Zurawski@tn.gov or (615) 532-1502. For more information about Earth Science Week, including additional educational resources, visit www.earthsciweek.org.