Earth Science Week

Celebrate Earth Science Week at Grand Canyon National Park
October 14-20, 2012

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. The park is a natural classroom and earth science laboratory, and is one of the most well-known and most scenic geologic landscapes on the planet. Special activities and programs will occur throughout the week.

Special Programs ----- Evening Programs ----- Other Activities

 

Keynote Earth Science Week Presentation
Friday, October 19 2011, 7:00 pm

 

Eddie McKee: A Grand Life

Stories about Grand Canyon's second park naturalist
and most admired geologist.

Guest speaker Sarah Andrews, geologist and author.

Eddie McKee began his career as Grand Canyon National Park's second park naturalist in 1929. A geologist by training, he inspired park visitors with his boundless enthusiasm, clear, concise explanations of natural history, and flair for fun and entertainment. In his free time (literally!), he contributed vastly to our knowledge and understanding of the geology of Grand Canyon.

The life and lore of Eddie is presented by geologist and author Sarah Andrews, who had the great fortune to begin her career as his assistant at the U.S. Geological Survey in 1974.

 

Sarah Andrews

Sarah Andrews is the author of a forensic geology mystery series.

Her most recent book, Rock Bottom, is set in Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon Association will be selling Rock Bottom 30 minutes prior to and after the program. Sarah will be signing her book after the program.

This event is presented in cooperation with Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Chung, Press Democrat

 

Earth Science Week Special Programs
Sunday October 14 - Saturday, October 20, 2012

Geology Walks, 3 pm daily
Discover Grand Canyon's amazing geology story. Why is it so deep, wide, and grand? Why does it exist only here in the world? Meet at Yavapai Geology Museum. 1 hour.

Monday, October 15
Fossil Walk, 10:30 am
Explore marine fossils on the rim of the canyon. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour.

Tuesday, October 16
Fossil Walk, 10:30 am
Explore marine fossils on the rim of the canyon. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour

Tuesday, October 16
Family Fossil Walk, 4:30 pm
Celebrate No Child Left Inside Day by exploring marine fossils on the rim of the canyon in this family-oriented program. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour

Wednesday, October 17, National Fossil Day
Fossil Walk, 10:30 am
Explore marine fossils on the rim of the canyon. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour

Thursday, October 18
Fossil Walk, 10:30 am
Explore marine fossils on the rim of the canyon. Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge patio. 1 hour

Friday, October 19
Bright Angel Trail Springs Guided Hike, 8 am
Did you know that several springs are found along Bright Angel Trail? This guided program will go ¾ of a mile down Bright Angel Trail to Kolb Seep, a small spring 500 feet below the South Rim. Learn about the geology and hydrology of Grand Canyon springs and their importance to the canyon from NPS hydrologist Cynthia Valle.

This strenuous hike is not recommended for people with heart or respiratory problems or difficulty walking.

Meet at Bright Angel Trailhead. 2 - 3 hours round-trip. Bring 2 quarts of water, sunscreen, hat, and snacks and wear study hiking shoes.

Saturday, October 20
CSI Grand Canyon: How Geologists Help Solve Mysteries, 11 am
Geologist and Author Sarah Andrews

Geologists use a lot of the same logic as police detectives. Geologist Sarah Andrews is the author of the Em Hansen forensic geology mysteries. Learn about how geology is an essential part of forensic science. Meet at Mather Point Amphitheater. 30 minutes.

Sarah Andrews is the author of a forensic geology mystery series. Her most recent book, Rock Bottom, is set in Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Association will be selling Rock Bottom 30 minutes prior to and after the program. Sarah will be signing her book after the program.

This event is presented in cooperation with Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park.

 

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Earth Science Week Evening Programs
7:00 p.m. Shrine of Ages Auditorium, 1 hour.

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

Monday, October 15, Native Waters: Grand Canyon Seeps and Springs

Tuesday, October 16, Into the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell 1869 River Trip

Wednesday, October 17, Clocks in Rocks: How Geologists Tell Time

Friday, October 19, Eddie McKee: A Grand Life
Earth Science Week Keynote Presentation
Stories about Grand Canyon's second park naturalist and most admired geologist

Saturday, October 20, The Arizona Monsoon

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Other Activities

 

Junior Paleontologist

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:
https://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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No Child Left Inside Day
Family Fossil Walk
Tuesday, October 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Bright Angel Lodge Patio

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 17

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
https://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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Grand Canyon Association

In celebration of Earth Science Week and National Fossil Day, Grand Canyon Association is offering a 10% discount and a 25% discount for Members on select geology and fossil books, "Geology Rocks" T-shirts and water bottles, rock and fossil collection kits, the Yardstick of Geologic Time, and stacking blocks featuring Grand Canyon geology. Proceeds from Grand Canyon Association merchandise sales benefit the educational, scientific, and historical research efforts of the National Park Service.
Grand Canyon Association is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park.

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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
https://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/geologicformations.htm

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