NEWS RELEASE: Wyoming Geological Survey & UW Geological Museum Celebrate Earth Sciences with Event Oct. 15

 WSGS and UW Geological Museum Celebrate Earth Sciences with Event Oct. 15

In celebration of earth sciences, the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and University of Wyoming Geological Museum are hosting a fun-filled event Saturday, Oct. 15. “Earth Science Day” will be held 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at UW’s Geological Museum on the Laramie campus.

The event will be during Earth Science Week 2016 (Oct. 9-15), a national and international celebration that has been held by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and other organizations since 1998. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead in 2012 proclaimed the second week in October as Wyoming Earth Science Week. 

“From the dynamic and awe-inspiring landscapes we enjoy to the bountiful resources that have enriched our lives, earth science touches every person in Wyoming on a daily basis,” says WSGS director, Tom Drean. “We hope that Earth Science Day will provide a fun learning experience for folks from ages 5 to 95.”

Attendees at Earth Science Day can take a fossil prep-lab tour or participate in a children’s scavenger hunt with a prize drawing. There will be several interactive tables and activities, all connected to earth sciences. This includes a paleobotany station and a station where kids can make their own Wyoming invertebrate fossil identification kit. The WSGS will have several interesting rocks found in Wyoming to test your geology knowledge and a microscope available to view thin sections of minerals. Other activities involve using cupcakes to learn how core samples allow geologists to find what rock layers are beneath the earth’s surface and having a geologist point out interesting spots in Wyoming on Google Earth. 

As part of Earth Science Day, the Harry C. Vaughan University of Wyoming Planetarium will have a special showing during the event.

“Geology is an incredible gateway for inspiring kids to learn about science in general. First, we draw kids in with rocks and fossils, and then, without them realizing it, they are learning about optical and chemical properties of minerals under a microscope; and they like it and want to learn more,” says Laura Vietti, geological museum and collections manager. “We hope that the Earth Science Day event will act as a gateway while providing the opportunity to learn more about Wyoming’s amazing rocks and fossils from the experts who study them.”

This year’s Earth Science Week theme is “Our Shared Geoheritage.” The AGI defines geoheritage as locations that are valued for scientific, economic, ecological, educational, cultural, aesthetic, artistic and recreational purposes. Earth Science Week coincides with National Fossil Day on Oct. 12 and Geologic Map Day on Oct. 14.  

For more information about Earth Science Day, visit the WSGS education website or www.uwyo.edu/geomuseum. You can also email event organizers Laura Vietti (geolmus@uwyo.edu) or Christina George (christina.george@wyo.gov).