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