[Policywksp] Call for abstracts: Geoscience & The Community (Fall GSA)

[mike_phillips at ivcc.edu]

Please read and pass on to all who might be interested.  Thank you.


Are you an "involved" geoscientist?  We could all do a better job letting
our friends, neighbors, and community know about what we do and how geology
impacts their lives.  In this session, you will be able to share ideas on
how we can all become more involved in our communities and better
communicate the geoscience perspective.  Please consider submitting an
abstract for session T143 at GSA this fall.


T 143.  Geoscience and the Community: An Exploration of Ways to Become
Involved

Cosponsored by GSA Geology and Society Division; American Geological
Institute; GSA Geoscience Education Division; National Association of
Geoscience Teachers
Geoscience Information/Communication; Geoscience Education


Session Description
The geoscience perspective is often overlooked to the detriment of society.
This session will present various ways geoscientists can promote our
perspective through participation in the community and government with an
emphasis on being proactive.

Rationale for Topical Session
The expertise and work of geoscientists is often overlooked or ignored in
business and governmental decision-making.  In many cases this lack of
inclusion is to the detriment of society.  The importance and relevance of
geoscience is typically examined after something calamitous has occurred,
and geo-professionals scramble to respond.  Over the past few years, it has
become apparent that geoscientists need to take on a proactive role to
ensure our perspective is included early and often.  The purpose of this
session is to present a variety of ways geoscientists can actively promote
the inclusion of a geoscience perspective through participation in their
communities.  The session will include discussions of participation in
government and politics, working with businesses, contacting the media, and
working with local schools.  The session will look at ways to be involved
as an individual and as part of a professional organization, as well as how
to encourage students to become involved. An emphasis will be placed on
taking an active role in the community before issues arise that would
benefit from a geoscientific perspective and being prepared to jump in
immediately when such an issue arises.

To submit an abstract, go to: http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/ and
follow the instructions.  Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, July 10,
2007.

For more information, please contact:  Michael A. Phillips, Natural
Sciences, Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave,
Oglesby, IL 61348, Phone: (815) 224-0394, Fax: (815) 224-3033,
mike_phillips at ivcc.edu. Linda Rowan, Government Affairs, American
Geological Institute, 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302, Phone: (703)
379-2480 ext. 228, rowan at agiweb.org