^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-39, August 27, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) JOURNALS FREE TO GOOD HOME 2) A PROPOSAL FOR ADVANCE PLACEMENT GEOLOGY 3) YOUR INPUT NEEDED FOR BOOK FOR GIRLS ON SCIENTIST ROLE MODELS 4) USGS CUSTOMER REPORT 5) NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS 6) AWG PRODUCT CLEARANCE SALE! 7) POSITION OPENINGS ***North Carolina Geological Survey-Chief Geologist (Geological Survey Manager) ***University of California Santa Barabara -Web Programmer/Database Manager 8) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1 1) JOURNALS FREE TO GOOD HOME Needs a new home-A set of Geophysical Research Letters: v. 1, n.1-v. 22 n. 6. Nearly complete. Contact Eileen Herrstrom if interested. 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2 2) A PROPOSAL FOR ADVANCE PLACEMENT GEOLOGY Why isn't geology being taught in our high schools? Geology is certainly a fascinating science, and it is particularly relevant to the lives of our citizens, but it almost always takes a back seat to physics, chemistry and biology. Often, earth science is included in the ninth grade curriculum, but the brighter science students are encouraged to bypass it in favor of biology, which is considered to be a "serious" science. Even if a rigorous geology course is offered in high school, the top students often avoid it because it is not an Advanced Placement course. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are magnets that draw the best students around the country. Top science students enroll in AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics classes. Colleges recognize the rigor of an AP course, and will give preferential treatment to students enrolling in AP classes. As a result, few college-bound students are exposed to the science of geology, and few will consider it in college. This affects both the quality and the quantity of students enrolling in college geology courses. There is a direct correlation between courses taken in high school and majors chosen in college, so it is no surprise that geology departments suffer from lack of students. Does the dearth of geology majors reflect the job market? Not at all. There are ten times as many jobs in industry for every graduate with a geology degree than for a graduate with a biology degree. We need geologists, yet our high schools are not encouraging students to consider geology. Even worse, our schools are not educating the public to understand the geologic processes which affect our lives. I am proposing that the development of an Advanced Placement geology course would provide a valuable addition to high school curricula, and would have a positive effect upon the training of future geologists. At this time, there is no AP exam for geology. The College Board is investigating candidates for future AP courses, and geology is under consideration. Representatives from the Geological Society of America, the American Geological Institute, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, and I will be meeting with the College Board soon. We need to demonstrate to the College Board that there is enough support for the course from high school teachers, from colleges, from professional geologists, and from professional organizations. If you or your institution would like to support this proposal, please contact me by email or any other means convenient. If you would like to teach an AP Geology course, or you know someone who would, please contact me or join a listserve that will keep you informed about the progress of AP Geology at: AP Geology Info-http://www.bedford.k12.ny.us/flhs/science/apgeohome.html. Thank you, Wendy Van Norden Harvard-Westlake School 3700 Coldwater Canyon No. Hollywood, CA, 91604 (818) 487-6665 wvannorden@harvardwestlake.com 33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3 3) YOUR INPUT NEEDED FOR BOOK FOR GIRLS ON SCIENTIST ROLE MODELS If you'd like to figure in an upcoming book profiling women's careers in the sciences, please visit this website and fill out the survey: http://www.youcouldbea.com/ We'd like to encourage those of you with jobs you love to participate in this worthy cause to encourage more young women to enter our profession. Following is a message from the author to AWG: With your help, I can write a book that will educate teenage girls and pique their interest in science-related careers. [My book] will profile diverse ladies of science, math, and technology-related occupations, such as flight instructors, civil engineers, naval architects, web designers, statisticians, geneticists, and seismologists (to name a few!) Jobs like these are defined by the US Department of Labor as Non-Traditional Occupations (NTO's) because women account for 25% or fewer of the total employed. Did you know that the following scientific jobs are listed as NTO's? biologist, chemist, chiropractor, dentist, food scientist, geologist, industrial chemist, meteorologist, oceanographer, physician, physicist (US Department of Labor 2000). Rather than a failure of will or ability, the biggest barrier limiting females' entry into NTO's lies in gender-role socialization. I am a firm believer in the motto, "Seeing is believing;" therefore, I want to send a message through pictures and profiles that everyday women can and do excel in NTO's. Aside from the fact that NTO's offer women significantly higher salaries, better benefits, and more economic independence, these jobs possess immense excitement and opportunity. Please help me share this insight with young women. It's easy: Simply supply me with a list of volunteer contacts via email, phone, or mail, and I'll do the follow up work! These lists should include as many women as possible from diverse backgrounds who are excited and informed about their careers. I am turning to you specifically for women in geoscientific occupations including but not limited to the following fields: Environmental Geology, Paloentology-paloebiology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, General Geology, Geophysics, Petrology, Geomorphology, Groundwater, Sedimentology Here's the information I will need for each contact: name, job title, address, phone, email. Please respond whether or not you will be able to help me by August 31, 2000. I look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Shannon Griffin 1819 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29201 Nonnahs313@aol.com 803/252-7111 From the author's website : While pursuing my Masters in Teaching English on the secondary level, I have been researching gender inequity in the classroom. Findings reveal that the majority of problems for females occur in mathematical, scientific, and technological subject areas. Because I enjoy writing Young Adult Literature, I became interested in compiling a nonfiction book of women who are excited and knowledgeable about their academic and professional careers in these critical areas. Certainly young women would receive encouragement and confidence from concrete examples. Assisted by concerned and caring women like yourselves, I will create a gold-mine of diverse role models in one informative, entertaining, affordable, and attainable text. The market for such a book is wide: schools, career centers, camps, professional organizations, parents, bookstores, etc. Am I being too optimistic? Not at all. So far, responses have exuded support and enthusiasm! Before I can pitch "You Could Be A...", I will review your survey information to write sample chapters for the nonfiction book proposal. Your organization and name (unless otherwise desired), will be credited in the final manuscript. I will be sending the book proposal to publishers at Girl Press, who seek empowering nonfiction submissions for teen girls. I encourage you to check out Girl Press (www.girlpress.com). If you would like to correspond further, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working with each of you on this exciting endeavor! You are making a difference--Thank you. Sincerely, Shannon K. Griffin Nonnahs313@aol.com 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4) USGS CUSTOMER REPORT A new 77-page-long summary report has just been issued from the March-April 2000 meeting that the USGS had with our customers. Norrie Robbins represented AWG at that meeting. If you would like a copy, send an email to: conversation@usgs.gov. Otherwise, it is on the web at www.usgs.gov/custerm/conversation/ 55555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 5) NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS Guidelines for Submission of Applications for Program Year 2001 (NSF 00-0128) Deadline for entering the competition: November 7, 2000 The National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, and engineering in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 900 graduate fellowships each year, including awards for women in engineering and computer and information science. Fellowships provide three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master's or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering supported by the NSF and are intended for students in the early stages of their graduate study. http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf00128 Internet mail: nsfgrfp@orau.gov Web Site: http://www.orau.org/nsf/nsffel.htm 6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 6) AWG PRODUCT CLEARANCE SALE! Time to get some of that quality AWG merchandise you've wanted, and SAVE BIG! We have a limited quantity of some close-out items that we are letting go at bargain-basement prices. But FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED! AWG T-shirts: regularly $13 (S & M only) $15 (XXL) NOW only $8! Only S, M, XXL available, let us pick the color for you! (shipping & handling $2 each) AWG Notepads: regularly $3 for 2 pads NOW $1.50 (shipping & handling $1.50) AWG Leather Post-it Note Protectors: regularly $13 NOW $8 (shipping & handling $1.00 each) You can see more info about all AWG's great products at www.awg.org/products Email directly to office@awg.org to order by credit card, or print out an order form (at the AWG web site), change the sale prices, and send a check. Don't miss this great opportunity! 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777 77 7) POSITION OPENINGS ***North Carolina Geological Survey-Chief Geologist (Geological Survey Manager) The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Land Resources invites applications for the position of Chief Geologist for the North Carolina Geological Survey (NCGS). The Chief Geologist is responsible for (1) promotion of the NCGS products and services; (2) management of a highly trained and experienced geological staff; (3) development and distribution of products of the NCGS; (4) promoting assistance to earth science teachers in public schools. The salary range is $40,565 - $67,806 plus extensive benefits. Minimum qualifications include 4 year degree with a major in Geology and 6 years of geological field work, including 2 years of supervisory experience. Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree in geology and a minimum of 15 years of post-graduate experience. For additional qualification requirements please view the vacancy announcement at www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/. A state application form may be obtained at www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/gnrlinfo.htm. Applications should be addressed to Ms. Rita Jones, DENR Land Resources, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N. C. 27699-1612. Telephone 919-733-3833, Fax 919-715-8801. Closing date:September 22, 2000. EOE. ****************************************************************************** ***University of California Santa Barabara -Web Programmer/Database Manager Job #2000- 08-024 The NSF-funded global paleobiology database initiative at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/public/pmpd/ seeks a database/Web programmer. This five-year, multi-institution collaborative project involves compiling and analyzing large data sets over the Web. Perl/CGI or PHP, and UNIX are required; as is familiarity with SQL (e.g., MySQL). C/C++, Java, LINUX, quantitative skills and an interest in relevant scientific issues also are desirable. Excellent location/benefits. Applications must be submitted by September 15, 2000. Please send University of California Santa Barabara application, cover letter and resume/CV to: UCSB/Human Resources SAASB, Santa Barbara, CA 93106. AA/EOE 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 8 8) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of AWG E-Mail News. For submissions to AWG E-Mail News, contact Editor Joanne Kluessendorf at editor@awg.org. For advertising, contact the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at