Earth Science Week

Celebrate Earth Science Week at Grand Canyon National Park
October 9-15, 2011

Earth Science Week promotes understanding and appreciation of the value of earth science research and its applications and relevance to our daily lives.

Grand Canyon National Park is an ideal place to celebrate Earth Science Week, as the park is a natural classroom and laboratory for the earth sciences, and is one of the most well known and most scenic geologic landscapes on the planet. Join us for special activities including fossil walks and earth science-themed evening programs throughout the week.

 

Special Ranger Programs
Sunday October 9 - Saturday, October 15, 2011

Fossil Walk
10:00 a.m., daily
Explore marine fossils on the rim of the canyon. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour.

 

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Evening Programs

7:00 p.m. Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, 1 hour.

Sunday, October 9, The Grand Canyon in You (Grand Canyon Geology)

Monday, October 10, Confessions from the Underground (Grand Canyon Caves)

Tuesday, October 11, Clocks in Rocks: How Geologists Tell Time

Wednesday, October 12, The Climate of the Grand Canyon

Thursday, October 13, The Grand Canyon in You (Grand Canyon Geology)

Friday, October 14, Clocks in Rocks: How Geologists Tell Time

Saturday, October 15, Into the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell 1869 River Trip

 

Special Events By Date

 

No Child Left Inside Day
Kid's Fossil Walk
Tuesday, October 11, 4:30 p.m.

NCLI Day is celebrated on the Tuesday of each Earth Science Week. It originated to urge young people outdoors, where they could explore Earth Science firsthand.

Celebrate No Child Left Inside Day by exploring marine fossils on the rim of the Grand Canyon in this family program. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour.

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National Fossil Day
Wednesday, October 12
National Fossil Day is a part of Earth Science Week

National Fossil Day is a celebration organized by the National Park Service to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values.

National Fossil Day home page
http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/index.cfm

The Grand Canyon contains an amazing diversity of rock formations with an abundance of fossils hidden within. Learn more about the fossils found in Grand Canyon National Park

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Junior Paleontologist Program

The Junior Paleontologist Program is a self-guided activity booklet for kids ages 5 through 12. The booklets will be available during Earth Science Week at Park Headquarters and all Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Centers. Kids can learn about ancient life, complete fun activities, and explore some of the national parks that offer a look into the past in the Junior Paleontologist booklet.

Upon completion, Junior Paleontologists will receive a Junior Paleontologist badge.

Download the Junior Paleontologist Activity Booklet here:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/jrpaleo.cfm

The National Park Service protects natural places and historic sites all across the United States. Today, more than 220 national parks are known to preserve fossils!

 

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More about Earth Science Week

Each year, local groups, educators, and interested individuals organize celebratory events for Earth Science Week. Earth Science Week offers opportunities to discover the Earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth. The program is sponsored by the American Geological Institute and is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Foundation, ExxonMobil, ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), and other geoscience groups.

Links

Visit the Earth Science Week home page: http://www.earthsciweek.org/

Grand Canyon Geology
http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/geologicformations.htm

National Park Service Geology
http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/