Message from Ventures Scholars Program
Dear Ventures Scholar,
The
American Geological Institute (AGI) would like to welcome you to the
exciting world of geoscience careers. Geoscientists study the Earth:
its systems, processes, structure and changes over time. You might
find a geoscientist in the field monitoring water systems, in the
laboratory dating fossils or studying ice cores, in a studio creating
animations from satellite data, in the classroom working with students,
climbing mountains to study their origins, on Capitol Hill working
with Congress, on a television show or in a museum, or in hundreds
of other careers around the world.
If you like science and are curious about our planet and how it works,
a career in the geosciences might be a great option for you. You can
choose from careers that include world travel, field experiences,
lab and computer work, interacting with the media, digging into the
past and much more.
We invite you to peruse this e-newsletter to access additional information
about geoscience career pathways and to also participate in Earth
Science Week activities from October 8-14, 2006. You can find more
information about Earth Science Week at www.earthsciweek.org.
As part of Earth Science Week, the Ventures Scholars Program will
be also inviting you to participate in a variety of online activities.
Make sure you check your email for additional information!
Sincerely,
Ann Benbow , Executive Director, American Geological Institute
Carmen Andoh, Coordinator, Ventures Scholars Program
A SPECIAL THANKS TO SHELL FOR SPONSORING THIS E-NEWSLETTER
AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT HELP VENTURES SCHOLAR LEARN ABOUT GEOSCIENCE
CAREERS.
SHELL INVITES YOU TO LEARN ABOUT ENERGY, PARTICIPATE IN ENERGY-RELATED
ACTIVITIES, AND CONSIDER A CAREER WITH SHELL. CLICK
HERE TO ACCESS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Getting Involved: Earth Science Week -
October 8th-14th
Participate in Earth Science Week! Possibly you will learn
about new careers and how to help our environment! American Geological
Institute has developed a booklet and a contest to get you and your
friends involved!
Be A Citizen Scientist - Celebrate Earth Science Week
We truly are citizens of the Earth. As the planet’s native
inhabitants, we all share an appreciation of its beauty, use of its
resources, and care for its future. That’s why “citizen
science” — involving ordinary citizens in building our
scientific understanding of the Earth’s systems — is so
important.
Learn more about the citizen science opportunities awaiting you by
taking part in Earth Science Week, October 8-14, 2006, when we will
celebrate the theme “Be a Citizen Scientist!” This year
we focus on ways that everyday people can conduct real scientific
investigations, highlight the value of Earth science in everyone’s
life, raise the profile of geoscientists’ important work, and
help spread science literacy.
There are lots of ways you can participate in Earth Science Week and
other activities all year long. Accept the geosciences’ challenge
to all citizens of the Earth: Be a Citizen Scientist.
Click here to access additional information.
Using and Studying the Earth's Resources: A Photography Contest
American Geological Institute is sponsoring a photography contest
in order to encourage the public to photograph images for the theme
of, "Using and Studying Earth's Resources." Take pictures
of students learning about Earth science or people using natural resources
for energy, housing, apparel, or other uses. The contest is open to
all ages. The winner will receive $300 cash. Submission must be entered
by October 5, 2006.
Click here to download the Photography Contest entry form.
Learn about Our Environment
Water and the Environment
When
we turn the faucet on we expect clean water to come out, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. Our expectations are so high that we have
built large dams and associated reservoirs, pumped large quantities
of groundwater from aquifers, and constructed intricate water distribution
systems to transport water from areas where it is located to where
we prefer to live. We monitor the quality of our water and spend billions
of dollars to treat it.
In the United States, we have come to rely on good quality water and
plenty of it; after all, water is essential to life. As a society,
we depend upon water for many uses, including irrigation, power generation,
recreation, and transportation. But what happens when there is a drought,
or even times when the supply of water is less than what we have become
accustomed to? Or maybe there is too much water and it floods our
home, farm, or city. What if the quality of our water is degraded
and we can no longer use it for a desired purpose?
This booklet provides information about water, its importance, where
it comes from, water-related environmental concerns, water protection,
polices and regulations, and our future needs for water.
Click here to access the booklet.
Metal Mining and the Environment
The process of extracting natural resources, such as metals, from
the Earth commonly raises public concerns about potential environmental
impacts. Society’s requirement for metals establishes a strong
link between our standard of living, the Earth, and science. Understanding
the highly technical process of metal mining can help prepare citizens
for the necessary discussions and decisions concerning society’s
increasing need for metals and the related environmental tradeoffs.
Decisions about the development and use of Earth’s metallic
resources affect the economic, social, and environmental fabric of
societies worldwide. Our challenge is to balance these important attributes.
This booklet helps answer the following questions: Why does society
need metals? What are the principal sources of metals? How are metals
recovered from the Earth? What are the major environmental concerns
related to producing metals? How can these environmental concerns
be managed and mitigated? What role can technology play in reducing
environmental impacts? What is the future need and environmental outlook
for metal mining? Click
here to access the booklet.
Soil and the Future
In the United States, the number of people whose livelihood depends
directly on the soil has decreased dramatically in the past 50 years.
Those who live in urban settings, where opportunities for daily contact
with natural environments and processes are limited, have few contacts
with soil — or occasions to recognize its importance. Yet, life
at the surface of the Earth evolved in soil, and the future of life
depends on it.
This booklet will increase your awareness and understanding of why
healthy soils are essential for our well-being, the critical role
soils play in a variety of natural processes, the factors affecting
the suitability of soils for various uses, management practices that
conserve soils and keep them productive, what the major sources of
soil contamination are, and how damaged soils can be reclaimed. Click
here to access the booklet.
Exploring Careers in the Geosciences
What
do you know about the geosciences? After reading the following articles,
maybe you will consider a career in the geosciences.
Ventures Scholars Share Their Interests in the Geosciences
The Ventures Scholars Program wanted to find out what Ventures Scholars
know about the geosciences.
During summer 2006, the Program asked students to respond to questions
about the geosciences as well as career interests.
The Program received responses from 152 Ventures Scholars.
Gender: 107 females and 45 males responded to the survey.
Graduation Year: 17 Ventures Scholars graduated high school
in 2006, 75 Ventures Scholars will graduate high school in 2007, and
65 Ventures Scholars will graduate high school in 2008 responded to
the survey.
Click
here to find out Ventures Scholars' understanding of the geosciences.
For your information, all statements are true!
Click
here to find out Ventures Scholars' interests in different career
areas relating to the geosciences.
Profiles of Geoscientists
The Guide presents introductory essays and profiles of the following
employer sectors: oil and gas industry, mining industry, consulting
firms in Water Resources and the Environment , federal and state government
agencies , national laboratories, and K-12 education.
The essays provide a context for better understanding of employment
opportunities, as well as reviewing required and preferred qualifications
that employers look for in their new hires. While there are differences
in the particulars, all employers share in some basic advice to students
about skills and proficiencies they should acquire and develop: a
general and solid grounding in the fundamentals of geoscience (i.e.,
don't over-specialize); oral and written communication skills; networking
skills; intern/work experience; willingness for international assignments
and mobility; foreign language skills; ability to work as part of
a team; field work; computer skills; problem-solving skills. If possible,
students should consider getting a master's degree. Click
here to access this helpful resource.
Programs and Opportunities - Colleges and Associations
How
can you find out about programs and opportunities? Our member institution
admissions officers can provide you with information about programs
at their institutions. Professional association representatives can
let you know about additional opportunities, too!
Professional Associations and Societies Can Provide Career Information about the Geosciences
AGI has compiled this annotated list of career websites to aid you in finding information on science-related careers. Although some of the sites do not specifically focus on geoscience, they all contain valuable information on science careers and job hunting tips. The list includes Geoscience Societies and other science career sites. Click here to access the list.
Contact Member Colleges About Programs and Opportunities
Contact the admissions officers at the member institutions to learn
about programs and opportunities in the geosciences. Go to www.venturescholar.org
. Click on High School Scholars located on the gray bar on
the site. Next, click on Undergraduate Institutions in the
red box on the left-hand side of the web page. Last click on Member
Institution Profiles in the red box.
Each institution has a link at the bottom of their page that provides
information about math and science majors and programs of study. For
additional information, contact the admissions officer listed on the
page.
State Agencies with Links to Information About the Environment
Every state provides information about environmental agencies. If you are interested in getting involved and/or developing a project, contact your state's agencies. Click here to access the list of state agencies.
State Geologic Surveys
What is going on in your state? Examples - Click on your state to reach the state geological survey web site. Click here to access the list of state geologic surveys.
Thinking About Internships and Other Opportunities
Start
thinking about your summer opportunities! If you are thinking about
a career in the sciences, possibly you might consider the folloiwng
internship experiences. In addition, you can also go to the Ventures
Scholars Program Resource Center to learn about other opportunities.
High school students and undergraduate
students can access helpful information.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Science and
Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Science, Mathematics
and Research for Transformation (SMART) Education Program
The Naval Research
Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP)
GRADUATE STUDENTS
The National Defense
Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NDSEG)
The National
Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program
POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS
The Naval Research
Laboratory (NRL) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Receiving Additional Information about the Geosciences
Would
you like to receive additional information about the geosciences?
Geotimes
- Earth, Energy and Environment News
American Geological Institute Updates
The Ventures Scholars Program would like to receive feedback about
this e-newsletter.
- Will you use this e-newsletter as a resource as you are considering your college major or learning about real world problems? Please explain.
- What information was the most helpful? What information was the least helpful?
- What other themes and topics would have been helpful?
- Additional Comments?
Please email your responses to candoh@ventures.org and write FEEDBACK ABOUT GEOSCIENCE E-NEWS in the subject title.
In advance, thank you very much.
Shell E-News Corner
Thanks to Shell, the Ventures Scholars Program has been able to provide Ventures Scholars with information about geosciences. Please take a few minutes to peruse some of Shell's resources and information about workplace opportunities.
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