NEWS RELEASE: Earth Science Week Event Happening Oct. 19

Earth Science Week Event Planned for Oct. 19 

Cereal at the breakfast table, the toothpaste used to clean teeth, the roof over our head—geology connects to many of the items used in everyday life, past and present.

Learn of the many ways geology is reflected in our lives at Wyoming ROCKS: Geology in Everyday Life—Today and in the Past, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the University of Wyoming Geological Museum in Laramie. The event is free and open to the public.

The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and UW Geological Museum host the annual event in celebration of Earth Science Week (Oct. 13–19), an international event that recognizes earth sciences such as geology and paleontology. 

“Earth Science Week is a highlight of every fall,” says Dr. Erin Campbell, Wyoming State Geologist and director of the WSGS. “It is always inspiring and heartwarming to see the innate interest most kids have for geology, and science in general, at this event.”

This year’s event also includes partnerships with the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist and UW Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium.

Activities include painting rock art with the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist, where participants will use real manos and metates to grind up red ochre from a prehistoric ochre mine near Guernsey, Wyoming, and mix it into paint to create art. Attendees will learn about the many minerals in households by matching them with the items they are in, as well as create their own ID kit with mineral samples. Additionally, there will a virtual field trip, scavenger hunt, and free shows in the planetarium at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

“Although Wyoming is known for our oil, gas, and coal, we are also major suppliers for resources like trona and bentonite that are used in other everyday products,” says UW Geological Museum director, Dr. Laura Vietti. “Wyoming is home to such a diverse set of useable geologic resources, we wanted to focus on how they make an impact on our everyday lives, today and in the past, and even in the sport of football in light of UW’s homecoming game later in the day."

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has held Earth Science Week every October since 1998 with the goal of helping the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for earth sciences and to encourage stewardship of the earth. Learn more on the AGI website.

For more information about the Wyoming ROCKS event, visit the WSGS education webpage, or email event organizers Laura Vietti (geolmus@uwyo.edu) or Christina George (christina.george@wyo.gov).