It was decided to translate the publication into Spanish "to reach a wider, more diverse audience with the message that earth science knowledge is important to all citizens," says Ann Benbow, Director of Education and Outreach at AGI. The geoscience community recognizes that there is a greater demand for minority participation in the sciences, and in the United States, Hispanics are now the largest ethnic minority with a population of more than 40 million.
The publication is designed to help teachers, parents, industry leaders and geoscience advocates explain the importance of earth sciences in today's educational environment. Why Earth Science? provides descriptions of the reasons we, as citizens, look to earth scientists to understand and manage our planet, and the importance of earth science education for success in school, careers, informed decision-making and civic engagement.
Copies of the newly translated version, entitled ¿Por Qué Ciencias de la Tierra? can be obtained by contacting Geoff Camphire (gac@agiweb.org) at AGI. Both the English and Spanish versions are available online at http://www.agiweb.org/education.teachers/online_resources.html.
"Nearly everything we do each day is connected in some way to Earth: to its land, oceans, atmosphere, plants, and animals."
-from Why Earth Science?
"Casi todo lo que hacemos diariamente está vinculado de algún modo a nuestro planeta Tierra, a su suelo, a sus océanos, a su atmósfera, a sus plantas y animals."
-de ¿Por Qué Ciencias de la Tierra?
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 43 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org.