Friday, November 16, 2007
The West Texas geological community does a lot for young people in our area.
The West Texas Geological Foundation gives three healthy college scholarships to Geology (and/or Engineering) majors each year plus sponsoring Earth Science instruction to teachers on a regular basis. It also encourages teachers who excel in effective science instruction with its annual MOST (Most Outstanding Science Teacher awards given each year to (1) a quality science teacher in Midland, (2) one in Odessa, and (3) one anywhere else in the Permian Basin in public or private schools. You can help with these effective programs by contributing to the West Texas Geological Foundation. The college scholarships are recommended by the WTGS Scholarship Committee chaired by Sue Reid.
Boy Scout Committee: The original youth committee is chaired by the effective Mike Metcalf who insures that all 8 weeks of Summer Camp at the Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch in the Davis Mountains has adequate Geology Merit Badge instructors and supplies, including workbooks. Our Scout Ranch has recently been expanded to where it is now the largest Scout Camp owned by an individual Council in the nation. Its Geology Merit Badge Instruction is very good and well-known. The national merit badge book was written partly by WTGS members. You can volunteer to teach it for one week or one day from June to August by calling Mike.
The WTGS Earth Science Week Committee is a major invasion of the schools by many Geologists. Sponsored by AGI, this helpful interfacing with the numerous science teachers in our schools is coordinated ably by David Pearcy each fall. He always needs more help, so if you can add to this effort, contact David.
The Youth Education and Activities Committee (YEA!) handles routine requests from school teachers throughout the year when geology programs are desired. It also assists with mentoring science projects and judging Science Fairs in public and parochial schools when asked. This committee needs your help; if you are able to give interesting programs in the schools, please join by calling Jim W. Adams, Chairman at 694-6375. This committee also coordinates teacher project submittals to the Southwest Section of AAPG and to the National AAPG for the Teacher of the Year Award.
Jim W. Adams |