State Activities

This list will continue to be updated...

Colorado:

Tuesday, October 13, Earth Science Week geology and nature hike, North Table Mountain, Golden CO, 4:30-6:30 p.m., led by USGS geologist, Pete Modreski.  A short (2-hour, about 1 mile) late-afternoon until twilight hike up a trail and the old roadbed to the top of the west side of North Table Mountain; to look at geology (we'll hike past beds of the Denver Formation and the three lava flows exposed there), mineralogy (a few zeolite minerals will be visible, and small euhedral black augite crystals that weather out of a volcanic ash and mudflow layer), and what we can see of plants and wildlife, with comments on how the lava flows formed and how the present landscape developed; and hopefully, a nice view of the sunset!  It wouldn't hurt to bring a light just in case we're still on our way back down as it's getting dark; official sunset is at 6:23.  Meet at 4:30 p.m. at the small, paved, trailhead parking lot off Wyoming Circle at the north end of Golden, located a few short half-blocks east of the intersection of Highway 93, Pine Ridge Road, and Ford Street.  If you can't quite make it at 4:30, still come, you'll see our group moving ahead up the trail.  For more info, or questions in case of bad weather, contact Pete, office 303-202-4766, pmodreski@usgs.gov, cell 720-205-2553.

Arizona:

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Desert View Drive Geology Field Trip
Grand Canyon National Park will offer a special field trip on Desert View Drive led by USGS research geologist George Billingsley. The field trip will begin and end at park headquarters and include stops at Desert View, Grandview Point and Yaki Point. Billingsley has spent his career mapping the Grand Canyon region and has 131 professional papers and geologic maps on the regions geology. Billingsley will provide a nontechnical overview of Grand Canyon geology and share some of his experiences while conducting geologic research in the canyon. Transportation will be provided by free shuttle bus. Each participant should bring a sack lunch, water, and a light jacket.See http://nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/earth-sci-week.htm

Maryland:

Saturday, October 24, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center will host a dual Open House in partnership with the USFWS Patuxent Wildlife Refuge . This is an annual event honoring both USGS Earth Science Week and USFWS National Refuge Week.  This is the only day the center research areas are open to the public for touring.  The public will also view live animals close up , learn about cutting-edge wildlife research, participate in children's activities, explore the world of research , and view endangered whooping cranes and sea ducks.   Earth Science Week packets will be handed out to the public.  Along with fact sheets about specific Biological Research Division areas of interest, scientists will present posters, hands on scientific activities, and be available to answer questions.  This event is a huge attraction and usually has an attendance of 1000-1500.

Events begin at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Maryland  20708.  Hours are 10:00AM - 3:00PM.

Florida:

Friday/Saturday, November 6-7 Annual Florida Integrated Science Center's Earth Science Day for Fourth Graders and Public Open House
Following the theme of "Understanding Climate," this event will have over 40 exhibits and displays focused on earth science, natural resources and understanding climate. The Center expects to host approximately 1,000 fourth graders on Friday, Nov. 6 and several hundred public citizens on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event is free.

On the fourth grade day, both students and teachers will receive goodie bags to take home that are filled with USGS resources and guides to on-line information. Bus transportation for schools that need it, will be provided by the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Youth Education Program. There will also be a resource area for educators that offers up a wide selection of materials for teachers and other informal educators for free. http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/openhouse/

Massachusetts:

Saturday,Saturday, October 17 U.S. Geological Survey Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Earth science is studied all year long, but Earth Science Week 2009 events close with an open house event at the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, 1 Migratory Way, Turner Falls, Massachusetts.

Visit the center for exhibits and demonstrations with sturgeon, fish ladders, models, and research techniques. Groups larger than six people are asked to have chaperones and call ahead at 413-863-3800 before October 17.