Department of Geosciences Community Connections Outreach Program
In addition to serving the community through research and education, Boise State University and the Department of Geosciences are committed to public service through outreach efforts. If you have any questions concerning the initiatives outlined below, please contact Dr. Karen Viskupic at 208-426-3658 or karenviskupic@boisestate.edu
K-12 Outreach Activities
The Department of Geosciences is eager to work with local teachers and classes to enhance Earth Science education in the K-12 community. Please contact Dr. Karen Viskupic, karenviskupic@boisestate.edu, if you are looking for someone from the department to give a special presentation to your class, assist with developing classroom activities, serve as a science fair judge or advisor, speak at a “career day”, assist with Science Olympiads, etc.
Classroom Materials
A variety of materials have been produced within the geoscience department by faculty, staff, students and volunteers. These include field trip guides, lab activities, career resource materials, local geoscience content and related instruction materials. We expect the number and variety of items available for download on this site to increase each year. Please contact us with further specific classroom material requests and/or suggestions to improve our materials available.
PDF Files Available for Download:
Boise Area Environmental
Ed
Geoscientist Profiles
Community Outreach Activities
Every Monday afternoon at 3:40, the Department of Geosciences hosts a lecture regarding various Earth science topics. Speakers in the lecture series include scientists from around the country as well as BSU faculty and students. Lectures are free and open to the public, and are a great way to learn about current research. For more information on locations and speakers, please call (208) 426-1631.
Earth Science Exploratorium
Boise State University is currently raising funds to build a Center for Environmental Science and Public Policy ( press release at http://news.boisestate.edu/newsrelease/022004/0212newcenter.html and article in the Spring 2004 issue of FOCUS magazine http://news.boisestate.edu/focus/index.html ) Part of this new building, which will house the Department of Geosciences, will be the Earth Science Exploratorium, a hands-on, minds-on museum and learning laboratory designed to enhance Earth science education.
The Earth Science Exploratorium (ESE) will feature a series of interactive exhibits designed to increase the public’s excitement about the Earth sciences, increase their understanding of fundamental Earth science concepts, and make the scientific method a more integral part of public awareness and decision-making. The ESE will be used for undergraduate education and will be open to the public, with associated programming focused on community and K-12 education.
Examples of ESE exhibits include: 1) A flume box where visitors can explore the processes of sediment erosion and deposition while making model rivers and dams; 2) A tectonic “squeeze box” used to simulate mountain building events; 3) A 3-D video wall that allows visitor to “walk” through a geologic map, or to explore other planets; and 4) An “earthquake chair” that allows visitors to experience an earthquake and understand how scientists use seismic (earthquake) waves to investigate the Earth’s interior. References to local and regional geology will help visitors to connect fundamental Earth science concepts to their own surroundings and to appreciate the value of continued research in the geosciences.
Classroom space associated with the ESE will be used for undergraduate lab exercises and for demonstrations and activities for visiting K-12 classes.