17 Public Outreach Beyond the Classroom: Geological Surveys, Museums, and Parks

Friday, 25 April 2014
8:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Olive Branch

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS BY THE ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY:  FOCUSING ON STAKEHOLDER GROUP INTERACTIONS AND PUBLIC GEOLOGICAL FIELD TRIPS

Paper number: 17-2
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:20 AM – 8:40 AM

Authors

  • Lisa Anderson Presenting Author
    Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

Abstract

The Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been active in outreach and public engagement from its inception over 100 years ago. The ISGS is committed to this service and legacy. Engagement priorities include providing geological resources to teachers to aid in earth science instruction, government and constituent group communications, and public field trips.

Stakeholder meetings have been held to discuss glacial geologic mapping projects and the benefits of using this data for resource planning purposes. These meetings are an effort to share the mapping data efficiently and to gain support for future projects.

Geological field trips for the public have been offered by the ISGS since 1929. The field trips are designed to acquaint citizens with geological processes and deposits throughout the state and are especially helpful to those who teach earth science. Historical field trip photos, recently unearthed in a filing cabinet, will be highlighted.