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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is committed to enhancing the natural resources stewardship ethic of all Maryland citizens. That is why we offer a variety of services for K-12 students, teachers, and other Maryland residents:
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Feature Story
Earth Science Week 2008
What is “Earth science”? Very broadly, Earth science means sciences related to planet Earth. Earth sciences include geology, soil science, oceanography, and meteorology, which focus on earth systems, rock and mineral types, natural hazards, weather, water resources, and energy.
“No Child Left Inside” will focus the nation on learning about the earth sciences in their natural setting, outside. Schoolchildren across the nation will turn off the TV and step away from their computers to discover the rocks, soil, watersheds, and weather patterns in their community.
“The best earth science classroom, any geoscientist will tell you, is the outdoors,” says Ann E. Benbow, AGI Director of Education and Outreach. “We’re encouraging students, teachers, and everyone interested in earth science to learn by experiencing it firsthand during Earth Science Week 2008. That means hiking over and digging into the Earth, taking water samples, making cloud observations, and more.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Earth Science Week. Since the beginning, the event has grown dramatically, enabling more students to focus on the many aspects of the earth sciences and the various careers within the field.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.
Explore other Earth science links
The Maryland Geological Survey has compiled a web page of links to Earth science resources for our state and beyond (http://www.mgs.md.gov/beyond.html#club).
Earth Science Week contests and materials
For more information on Earth Science Week for teachers, students, the general public and the media, see http://www.earthsciweek.org.
Upcoming Events
Conservation on Canvas
TEAM DNR Volunteer Training
Orientation to The National Wildlife Visitor Center
Write On! Wetlands Challenge
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Wonders of Wetlands
Project Wild/Ecological Concepts
Project Learning Tree
River of Words Poetry & Art Contest
MAEOE Conference Schoolyard Habitat Aquatic Grants
The Earth Science Week 2008 theme, “No Child Left Inside,” encourage young people to learn about the geosciences by getting away from the television, off the computer, and out of doors.
Who: Educators
When: Saturday January 24, 2009
Time: 10-4 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center (Laurel, MD)
This workshop provides interdisciplinary education materials about waterfowl for grades K-12 and helps educators prepare their students to participate in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
Contact: Dennis Hartnett at 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763
Who: Interested Adults to Become Volunteer Educators
When: Thurs., January 29, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking interested adults
to become TEAM (Teaching Environmental Awareness in Maryland) volunteers.
Volunteers should have an out-going personality and a strong desire to protect
the Chesapeake Bay. No prior teaching experience is necessary. Participants are
asked to bring their own lunch; beverages and snacks will be provided. Free.
Please register in advance.
Contact: Amy S Henry at 410-260-8828 or Email:
ahenry@dnr.state.md.us
Who: Educators
When: February 21, March 21, April 18, May 16, 2009
Time: 10-4 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center (Laurel, MD)
Teachers will learn the logistics of planning and scheduling a visit and will discover how to use the Wisdom of Wildness exhibits to reinforce classroom curricula. This course is also designed to help teachers meet the Maryland Voluntary State Outcomes and the National Science Education Standards (Teachers who plan to schedule field trips to the National Wildlife Visitor Center must attend an orientation workshop.)
Contact: Dennis Hartnett at 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763
Who: Educators
Deadline: March 1, 2009
Environmental Concern has kicked off Part 1 of our 5th annual Write On! Wetlands Challenge. This competition, designed to celebrate American Wetlands Month in May, challenges students to create a book written and illustrated by kids for kids! Part 1, for grades 6-8, is the Writers Challenge. Students write and submit a children’s story based on a wetlands theme. And there’s something suspicious in the swamp for this year’s theme….all the entries must be in the form of a mystery story. The winning entry will be illustrated in Part 2, and published by Environmental Concern as a children’s book.
Contact: Visit www.wetland.org/education_contest.htm or email educate@wetland.org.
Who: Educators
Deadline: March 17, 2009
Once again, 5th graders across Maryland are being challanged to create posters in honor of Arbor Day. The Arbor Day National Poster Contest is a great way to educate fifth grade students about trees and environmental stewardship. Over 70,000 fifth graders nationwide participate in the program every year. This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific… in Cities and Towns!” is designed to increase the students’ understanding of the importance of trees right here in their own community. Activity guides containing lesson plans centered on the theme, “Trees are Terriffic…in Cities and Towns!” are available to every public and non-public schools. To receive your activity guide, contact the Friends of Druid Hill Park.
Contact: FriendsofDruidHillPark@gmail.com.
Who: Educators
When: Sunday, April 5, 2009
Time: 10-4 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center (Laurel, MD)
Teachers will learn about hands-on-curriculum and outdoor activities that can be used to integrate wetlands into the curricula. All participants will receive a workbook with over 50 hands-on activities for grades K-12 plus valuable information on teaching strategies with wetlands themes.
Contact: Dennis Hartnett at 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763
Who: Educators
When: Sunday, March 8, 2009Time: 10-4 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center (Laurel, MD)
Teachers will discover exciting teaching ideas for use in science, math, social studies, physical education, music and art. All participants will receive interdisciplinary curricula for grades K-12.
Contact: Dennis Hartnett at 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763
Who: Educators
When: Saturday, May 2, 2009Time: 10-4 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge Visitor Center (Laurel, MD)
Teachers will learn how to use interdisciplinary curricula for grades K-8 that uses forests as a window on the world to better understand natural and man-made environments.
Contact: Dennis Hartnett at 301-497-5898 or 301-497-5763
Who: All Children Grades K-12
When: Deadline: February 15, 2009
Entries must be submitted to River of Words International first before being considered for the state contest. Enter individually or in a group (ie, 4-H, Scouts) or classroom. Visit this site for entry forms & rules. - http://riverofwords.org
Contact: Joann Wheeler 410-260-8809
Attend the largest state environmental education conference in the country! This year promises to bring you new and exciting workshops and sessions. Participate in the book-share, make your commute carbon neutral, and be a part of the MAEOE challenge! Registration is open. Visit www.maeoe.org for more information.
Looking for a unique and creative project to do with your students? Create a
schoolyard habitat in any setting. Find out how by visiting:
www.maeoe.org/habitat
Need funding for your aquatic education related project? Whether you need
substitute funds to attend a water-related professional development opportunity,
equipment, plants that benefit the bay, or aquatic field trips, this may be your
solution. Simple, quick application form. Visit
Aquatic Resources Education for more
details.
Contact: Cindy Etgen
Join the DNR Online email list
Updated December 23, 2008