AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-15

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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-15
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CONTENTS
1)	AWG MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 30 
2)	CHRISTINE MIRZAYAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
3)	NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2006 CONVENTION, BELLINGHAM, WA, 
AUGUST 7-11, 2006: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
4)	LISTSERV FOR GEOLOGY AND HEALTH, AND MEDICAL GEOLOGY
5)	CONTACT INFORMATION

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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News

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1)	AWG MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 30 	
This new program encourages young minority women to pursue an education 
and later a career in the geosciences.  It provides financial aid and 
matches the student with a mentor in the same field who will offer 
guidance and support.  This exchange will enhance the student¡¦s experience 
and provide a view of the world ahead.

General Information

Award Amount: 	One or more awards totaling $5,000 will be given each 
summer for use during the next academic year (awards include AWG 
membership)
Application Deadline: EXTENDED to June 30, 2006

Application Criteria and Procedures

The applicant must be:
ƒæ	A woman who is African-American, Hispanic, or Native American
ƒæ	A full-time student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in the 
geosciences (geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, meteorology, 
physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth science education) 
at an accredited college or university (high school students who will 
enter one of these fields during their freshman year may also apply)
ƒæ	A contributor to the larger world community through her academic and 
personal strengths 

Application procedures:
ƒæ	Download an application at www.awg.org 
ƒæ	The application calls for a statement of academic and career goals, 
two letters of recommendation, high school and college transcripts, and 
SAT or ACT scores

Other information:
ƒæ	Winners may reapply for continuing support
ƒæ	Questions?  Please contact Kim Begay-Jackson 
(awgscholarship@yahoo.com)

 
Applications should be sent to the following address:

Association for Women Geoscientists
Attn. Minority Scholarship
P.O. Box 30645
Lincoln, NE 68503-0645

Scholarships are funded by the AWG Foundation with generous support 
from the ExxonMobil Foundation and individual donors.	

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2)	CHRISTINE MIRZAYAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM, WASHINGTON, D.C.

This Graduate Fellowship Program of the National Academies consisting 
of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, 
Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council is designed to 
engage graduate and postdoctoral students in science and technology policy 
and to familiarize them with the interactions among science, technology, 
and government.  As a result, students in the fields of science, 
engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine, business, and law develop 
essential skills different from those attained in academia, which will help 
them make the transition from being a graduate student to a professional.

We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for 
the 2006 sessions. The program will comprise three 10-week sessions:

(i) Winter: January-March (Application deadline November 1) (ii) 
Summer: June-August (Application deadline March 1) (iii) Fall: 
September-November (Application deadline June 1)

Current graduate students and postdocs or scholars who have completed 
graduate studies or postdoctoral research within the last 5 years are 
eligible to apply.  To apply, candidates should submit an application and 
request that a mentor/adviser fill out a reference form. Both forms are 
available on the Web at http://national-academies.org/policyfellows.

The deadline for receipt of application material is November 1 for the 
winter program, March 1 for the summer program, and June 1 for the fall 
program.  Candidates may apply to all three programs concurrently.

Additional details about the program and a link to join the mailing 
list are available on the Web site.  Questions should be directed to: 
policyfellows@nas.edu.

Here is a sampling of comments from program alumni:

¡§Just ten weeks in the S&T policy world in DC substantially broadened 
my perspective on how I can use my engineering background to positively 
impact our society.  I returned to graduate school recharged about the 
value of advanced education, and more confident about my decisions to 
pursue studies that blend the boundaries of engineering and the 
humanities.  I feel like I have much new knowledge and understanding to share 
with my fellow graduate students as well as my professors.  No matter 
what field of study you are pursuing, there is no reason not to apply for 
a policy fellowship.  By seeing the connections between your academic 
field and the public policy arena, you will find many new opportunities 
for future studies or careers.  You will be enriched as a person, as a 
public citizen, and as a member of an academic community.¡¨

"This program will open your mind to a world rarely envisioned from the 
confines of laboratory bench work.  I learned an immeasurable amount 
about the policy and politics behind science and after the program opens 
your mind, it opens career doors."

¡§A really great experience for those from the ¡§soft sciences¡¨ who 
have an interest in S&T policy or if you¡¦re trying to figure out what 
else you might want to do outside of academia.  This was a great 
opportunity to bridge the gap and gain a new understanding and appreciation for 
how it all works, the people involved, and the profound difference it 
can make in the end (and all long the way).¡¨
	
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3)	NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2006 CONVENTION, BELLINGHAM, WA, 
AUGUST 7-11, 2006: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The National Speleological Society (NSS) is a non-profit organization 
dedicated to the study, exploration, and conservation of cave and karst 
resources in the US.  

We are looking for qualified geologists, or geology students to provide 
guided roadside tours for the Geology of Western Washington and 
Southern British Columbia during its National Convention to be held in 
Bellingham, WA from August 7 to 11, 2006.  This volunteer role will include 
the creation of a geology tour route, identifying the maximum size of the 
group, and guiding the tour.

These annual geology tours are by far the most popular events at our 
national convention.  Audiences include everyone from casually interested 
persons to amateur and professional geologists from around the country.

The tours are NOT cave related.  We are looking to fill these volunteer 
spots as soon as possible.  These volunteer positions are high-profile 
opportunities and come with a free lunch and convention t-shirt.

The two trips that we have open for guides are to be held on Sunday, 
August 6th as day trips from Bellingham.  Our third trip has already been 
filled.

The trips are:

Whidbey and Anacortes -
We are looking for a person willing to guide a field trip to the 
Whidbey and Anacortes areas to discuss the effects of glacial events during 
the last ice age on the Puget Sound area (See 
http://www.nps.gov/ebla/lpp/lppa1.htm).  This, combined with a 
discussion of the tectonic profile and activity of the region, would be of high 
interest.

We expect this to be a small group of about 20 people in a chartered 
bus, who are interested in geology.  Many may be practicing geologists 
from other regions of the country.

Chilliwack -
The second trip is to the Chilliwack limestone region in British 
Columbia.  You must have the proper paperwork to cross the international 
border.  This tour is expected to have high interest since solution 
formation of caves has been well-documented in this area.

If you are interested in putting together one of these geology field 
trips, please contact the NSS 2006 Convention Chairman, Michael McCormack 
directly at chair@nss2006.org.

For more information on the convention please go to www.nss2006.org.  
For more information on the National Speleological Society please go to 
www.caves.org.	

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4)	LISTSERV FOR GEOLOGY AND HEALTH, AND MEDICAL GEOLOGY

The University of Northern Colorado hosts a listserv for Geology and 
Health, and Medical Geology, which is free to anyone interested in 
joining.  To sign up, contact Ulli Limpitlaw at diamspir@aol.com and put 
"sign up geolhealth listserv" in the subject line.  Please also include 
your name and address in the e-mail.  Once you are signed up you will be 
able to participate in the dialogues. 	

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5)	CONTACT INFORMATION
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