Missouri Governor Proclaims Earth Science Week Oct. 12 Through Oct. 18

First posted on 10-10-2008

Governor Matt Blunt has declared the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 as Earth Science Week to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

“No Child Left Inside” was selected by the American Geological Institute as the theme of Earth Science Week 2008 to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences.

“We are pleased to partner with the American Geological Institute to encourage young people to learn about the geosciences by getting away from the television, off the computer and outdoors,” said Joe Gillman, Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey director and state geologist. “We encourage our educators to highlight the earth sciences as a career choice and demonstrate the benefits earth sciences bring to the community. We know for certain that learning takes place in the classroom, and parents as well as teachers play a vital role in embracing this year’s “No Child Left Inside” theme.”

Geologists and land surveyors play important roles in society’s use and protection of natural resources. The department has a long history of providing geology and land survey expertise to Missouri. “Earlier this year, our Geology program marked 155 years of service to the citizens of Missouri,” Gillman said. Additionally, our Land Survey Program, established in 1970, pre-dates the formation of the department by three years.”

Staff members from Gillman’s Rolla office are helping to spread science literacy to benefit Missourians by speaking to students in area classrooms during the week. Additionally, staff will offer some of the division’s most popular books and educational trading cards during the Rolla Downtown Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18. These fascinating books and cards continue to be favorites of Missourians and visitors to our great State. They also make great Christmas gifts.

Several contests are under way during Earth Science Week and are open to U.S. residents of any age. They include two photography contests, a visual arts contest and an essay contest. Entries are being taken from across the nation, and the prizes are out of this world!

The department’s Division of Geology and Land Survey offers a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils, fact sheets, maps and educational trading cards. To thank Rolla Middle School student Spencer Gordon for helping announce Earth Science Week, Gillman presented Gordon a set of Missouri Resources Trading Cards. The educational cards cover different general interest topics including caves, ice age animals, rivers, springs, land surveying, rocks, minerals, dams, wells and past state geologists. The cards are suitable for children and adults of all ages.

Visitors are welcome to tour the Ed Clark Museum of Geology, which is open to the public from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The publications sales desk, which is located in Rolla, may be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827 or visit on the Web at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/geology. Additional information about Earth Science Week may also be found on the Web sit