Earth Science Week 2008

The week of October 12, 2008 was the eleventh annual national celebration of Earth Science Week. The week was a time for geoscientists and organizations to encourage stewardship of the Earth and to share knowledge about the Earth and how it works. The week provides an opportunity to expand public awareness and understanding of geology and its role in water and land use decisions, ecological issues, resource issues, and hazard mitigation.

Earth Science Week is a national project jointly sponsored by the Vermont Geological Society, Vermont Geological Survey at the Agency of Natural Resources, and the American Geological Institute. Numerous other individuals, organizations and businesses sponsor activities during the week. The Vermont Geological Survey focused on public presentations and hikes, and maintaining the calendar of events. OMYA, Inc. hosted the annual highly successful Open House. OMYA and the Vermont Marble Exhibit were the main sponsors of the poster contest. The North Branch Nature center in Montpelier sponsored a mineral ID day with on -site field trips. The American Geological Institute sponsored national art contests. For a list of classroom activities and a planning kit for 2009, contact AGI, 4220 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302. AGI sponsors national art, photography and essay contests for grades K-8 and for adults.

The theme for the poster contest was "Studying the Earth"and THE POSTER CONTEST WINNERS ARE...... (Click on each thumbnail to see a larger poster)

Riley, Hartland Elementary School, 2nd Place, Grade 6	Victoria ( 4th grade), Sherburne Elementary School, 1st Place, Grade 4-5	Lulu (7th grade), Edmunds Middle School, 1st Place, Grade 7-9
Thomas (3rd grade), Ripton Elementary School, 1st Place, Grade K-3	Michael (11th grade), Mt. Abraham Union High School, 1st Place, Grade 9-12	Celine, 6th grade, Danville Elementary School, People's Choice Award
Zoey (8th grade), Edmunds Middle School, 3rd Place, Grade 7-9	Dennison, Addison Central School, 3rd Place, Grade 6	Kennedy (3rd grade), Reading Elementary School, 2nd Place, Grade K-3
Bruce (4th grade), Ripton Elementary School, 2nd Place, Grade 4-5	Lucy (7th grade), Edmunds Middle School, 2nd Place, Grade 7-9	Jaryd (5th grade), Lothrup Elementary School, 3rd Place, Grade 4-5
Emily (6th grade), Addison Central School, 1st Place, Grade 6		Melissa (3rd grade), Reading Elementary School, 3rd Place, Grade K-3