The Best in Earth Science Education

Every student in every high school can learn Earth science. EarthComm is designed with that promise in mind. This high-school curriculum, supported by the National Science Foundation, aligns closely with the National Science Education Standards and their problem-solving, community-based model of instruction. The EarthComm website offers resources and information for teachers, students, and parents.

Advancing an inquiry-based vision of geoscience education nationwide, EarthComm already has been adopted by major public school systems nationwide, including those of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orange County, Florida. The set includes five units. Purchase the whole series or only the volumes that suit your instructional needs. For more information, visit www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ec.html!

To help middle-school students gain a solid understanding of the world in which they live, the National Science Foundation and Chevron have supported development of this standards-based Earth science curriculum. IES emphasizes inquiry - testing ideas, observing phenomena, collecting data, using scientific reasoning - and the interrelation of Earth systems. Extensively field-tested and content-reviewed, this curriculum targets the knowledge and skills that students must master in grades six through eight. The IES website offers a trove of resources to supplement texts.

With over 160,000 books in use nationwide, IES is reaching students in major school systems from Denver to Delaware. Purchase all 10 modules or select volumes. Visit www.its-about-time.com/htmls/ies.html to learn more!

Because elementary students need to learn Earth science too, K-5 GeoSource offers online professional development for teachers of kindergarten through grade five. This web-based resource is designed to help teachers understand standards-driven content and plan stimulating, systems-based lessons. The site features content instruction, lesson plans, classroom activities, teaching resource links, downloadable images, cross-curriculum tips, assessment tools, career vignettes, literacy strategies, and more.

The National Science Education Standards call for elementary students to master key concepts and skills in Earth science. Moreover, the No Child Left Behind mandate for 2007 science testing reinforces that need. To strengthen your Earth science instruction, visit www.k5geosource.org today!

Because teachers need training to go along with curriculum, AGI also provides extensive nationwide professional development. Thousands of teachers in virtually every state have received training about AGI curriculum packages' philosophies, goals and objectives, geoscience content and investigations, assessment approaches, and teacher resources. AGI staff members either conduct training themselves or identify skilled trainers from AGI Leadership Training Institutes. In addition, AGI continues to maintain a professional development website and is creating a series of professional development videos.

The Why Earth Science? brochure explains in clear, everyday language the importance of Earth science education for success in school, careers, informed decision making, and civic engagement. AGI recently translated Why Earth Science? into Spanish to ensure that this vital message reaches the widest possible audience. AGI has distributed over 150,000 brochures to educators, professors, career counselors, museum and park officials, conference planners, Earth Science Week participants, and many others.

Because geoscientists' perspectives are vital to public understanding of environmental issues, AGI's popular Environmental Awareness Series addresses major societal concerns and illuminates the complexity and interconnection of the natural systems that we all use and depend upon. Colorful and reader-friendly, the publications provide a balanced review of key issues and topics, such as soils, water, petroleum, metal mining, aggregates, karst, and geologic mapping. Many more are on the way.

Beginning in 2009, AGI expects to begin rolling out two new curriculum series. Both are supported by the National Science Foundation, and both are comprehensive in their treatment of relevant content standards of the National Science Education Standards.

The first is High School Environmental Science: Understanding Our Changing Earth. This series approaches environmental science from a geoscience perspective, empowering students to develop a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of Earth systems and society. Students explore core concepts including human population growth, sustainability, and Earth systems and processes. A unique feature of this curriculum is the integration of the U.S. Geological Survey's Global GIS datasets and technology in activities that help students understand their relation to their planet.

Next, AGI will release Constructing an Understanding of Earth Systems. Middle-school students gain a deep understanding of Earth system science concepts by systematically exploring the Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and exosphere. This series also enables students to develop key critical-thinking skills through activities that require application, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, and evaluation.

For Materials or Information, contact

Ann E. Benbow, Ph.D.
Director of Education, American Geological Institute
4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 379-2480
aeb@agiweb.org