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AGI Geoscience Outreach Programs with the
National Park Service
M. RAY THOMASSON1, JUDY GENIAC2, ROBERT HIGGINS2
1-THOMASSON PARTNER ASSOCIATES, INC.2-NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Every individual should have the opportunity to better appreciate the majesty of our planet’s surface.
This can best done if the public has a better understanding of the geologic processes that created this beauty.
AGI Mission Statement
The American Geological Institute (founded in 1948)
serves the geosciences by …
• Providing geoscience information as services and products
• Presenting a focused voice on national science policy issues
• Developing curriculum materials that strengthen K-16 earth science education
• Increasing public awareness and understanding of geosciences and the environment
National Park Service
• 388 parks
• 400+ million visitors
• 370+ million virtual visitors
The Opportunity
# %NATIONAL PARKS 388 100
Primary reason: Geology 8580
165Significant Geology
2221
Subtotal (geologic) 43
The NPS Need for Help
# %
Biologists 1,891 8.8
Total Employees 21,277 100
Geologists 104 0.5
Geology Positions:56% (58) -- based in parks
44% (46) -- based in central offices
AGI and NPS Meeting October 2, 2002
NPS Geoscience Mission:• Help managers and staff understand the significance
and key roles of geoscientists in the parks
• Help visitors discover the nation’s geologic icons
• Facilitate research and resource management
• Improve public safety
AGI Projects in Association with National Parks
• Support for GSA’s GeoCorps America Program• Encourage development and teaching of “Geology of
National Parks” in universities and colleges• Encourage the creation of a series of interactive
modules (CD-ROM/DVD) using 3-D visualization and animation
– Animation of the geologic history of specific parks (10 to 15 minutes)
– Animation of key geologic concepts that fit school requirements
• Adopt-A-Park Program by Local Geological Societies
• Children's books on “Geology from the Cockpit”
AGI QUESTIONAIRE: “Geology of National Parks”
(Sent to 684 geology departments)
• Total Questionnaires Sent: 600– Total departments responding 209– Departments with NPS course 49– Percent departments with NPS course 23%
• Total Enrollments:– Physical Geology 98,502– Environmental Geology 18,813– Geology of National Parks 3,583
Animations at National Parks
Interactive Geology Project (Weimer – CU)Colorado National Monument
(complete)Grand Canyon National Park
(in progress)Carlsbad Caverns National Park
(planning)Guadalupe Mountains National Park
(planning)
Education Modules at National Parks
Individual Topic Geologic Modules (FOX-COLBURN)
• Exploit 3-D Visualization Techniques • Capture examples from National Parks• Examples:
– Rock Cycle– Plate Tectonics– Earthquakes and Faults
• Use in National Parks, Museums, Classrooms, Lifelong Learning Centers
Geologically Oriented NPS Localities
Hawaii Vi. Is./Guam
Puerto Rico
Geologically Oriented NPS Localities
Hawaii Vi. Is./Guam
Puerto Rico
NPS localitiesLocal GeologicalSocieties
Adopt-A-Park Example #1
Grand Junction Geological Society (Bill and Sandra Hood)
• Interactive CD-ROM “Electronic Ranger”– Colorado National Monument– Guadalupe Mountains National Monument– Fossil Butte National Monument– Carlsbad Caverns National Park (in progress)
• Problems Encountered– Park personnel mostly biologists– Parks under funded
Adopt-A-Park Example #2
Rocky Mountain Assoc. of Geologists (Popular Geology Committee)
• Target Park: Great Sand Dunes Nat’l Park• Develop Resources for the park • Document the partnership • Create a “HOW TO” short guide to success • Encourage other parks to participate
Children’s Books Using National Parks
by Dr. Michael Collier
Subjects:1) Mountains
o In progresso Uses 8 National Parks
2) Seashores3) Cliffs and Canyons4) Rivers5) Glaciers
Sheep-Mtn-Anticline,-WY
Split-Cinder-Cone,-Death-Valley
Shiprock - NM
Future Possibilities
• Poster Series on Geology in the Parks
• Intergenerational Parks Project
• Diversity Initiative