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Contemplations
The Garden of Learning Newsletter
Earth
Science Week
Wow!
What a Planet We Live On!
Have
you
ever stopped to think about the Big Blue Marble that sustains us? What
if it did
not have water for us to drink or soil in which our food can grow? What
if there were no animals to
feed us and help us do our work? What if our planet was like like mars
with no atmosphere to help us breathe and protect
us from the harsh rays of the sun? These are only a few of the daunting
tasks
that the earth does unceasingly to allow us to survive.
No,
not merely survive.
We could not canoe across a lake if there were glaciers to carve that
lake and water
to fill it and rocks to hold that water. We could not savor a ripe
tomato if
there was not fresh soil to hold and nourish the tomato plant, and rain
to
quench it and birds and insects to kill its enemies. We often forget
the simple
things in life that are more important than the vast technology that
man has
constructed with minerals and chemicals - minerals and chemicals the
earth provided us!
One
Week
Every
year the American Geological Institute sponsors an Earth Science Week.
Other
sponsors this year are: United
States
Geological Survey,
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation and the
National Park Service.
Twelve other organizations and agencies also support this endeavor. This
year, Earth Science
Week is October 9-15, 2005.
During
this
week, educators are encouraged to focus on some aspect of the earth.
Last year,
the focus was “Living on a Restless Earth.” This year it is
“Geoscientists
Explore the Earth.” If you request a kit from AGI,
you will find a plethora of materials that examine careers in earth
science, the
affects of contrails left by high-flying jets, and a couple CD programs
as well
as several opportunities to send in art and essays. These activities
are not
limited to one week. There is enough to keep you busy for several
months! Here
is a sample of activities:
- Exploring
Careers in Earth Science: Would you like to measure the
changes of an active volcano by probing thermometers in steaming vents
as gases
and lava are shooting up around you or would you rather sit safely and
quietly
in your laboratory with a few assistants and computers? Maybe you could
start
as an intern with the National Park Service and help set up
presentations about
a cave or a fossil site. Meanwhile, read about some young NASA Earth
Explorers
on the accompanying poster.
- Following
the History of Seismology: Who and what were the most
significant people and events in discovering how to measure, learn from
and even
predict earthquakes? A full-sized poster tells all.
- Earth
Science Activity Calendar: Work your way through the year
with the calendar chocked full of important geological dates,
interesting
information and fun activities.
- Earth
Systems Connections CD: “In
this elementary
curriculum, children explore the Earth as an interconnected
system. Along
the way they learn science, math, literacy, creativity, and a little
[about satellites].”
The same well-documented material appears to be available on the web as
well.
- Tsunami
Ready Education CD: this information-rich media has lots
of activities, resources, and teacher guides for learning about
tsunamis. The materials
are divided into age-groups. The brief movies and computer simulations
are great
visual aids on the subject.
Does
this inspire you to learn more about the earth? Doesn’t our home planet
deserve at least one week of our attention every year? Consider:
- ordering
this kit
- buying
kits from Garden
of Learning
- finding
other books and
activities such as those found on the Earth Science Week web
site
- returning
to some of your
favorite resources.
I
find a combination of
all of the above is probably the best. That way I can customize the
resources
to suit individual needs. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you take
advantage
of Earth Science Week to deepen your knowledge of this wonderful planet
that provides
us with food, water, shelter, beauty, peace and sustenance for our
souls.
Online
Courses Coming Soon
In
acknowledgement of
this wonderful celebration, we have created a fascinating online course
called Global
Catastrophe: Juggling
Spheres and Playing Big Dominoes.
This is a class that you take online with other students (best
for grades 7-9). “You and your group of intelligent aliens will use
virtual and real life activities to investigate the earth and all its
parts.
You will: "juggle" the earth's spheres,
make
long chains of "dominoes" and try to save the earth from disaster.”
Our
other new course, I Wish I
Could Do That!,
focuses on some young
adventurous characters who develop a deep appreciation for nature, its
wonders
and its power. This course (best for grades 5-8) is quite a different
format.
It requires no technology, just some good novels and lots of hands-on
activities. You may do this course-in-a-box at your own pace as you
savor the
books and accompanying activities.
We
will be piloting both
of these courses this spring, so stay tuned!
We
are also always
interested in new topics. If there is a topic you would like us to
address in a
kit or course, please tell us.
For
past issues of our
newsletter, click here. |
