Idaho Earthquake Education Workshops

Lite Geology

Idaho Earthquake Education Workshops

Fax: 208-885-5826

The program has been operating: 3 Years

The major purpose of the program and the problem(s) or issue(s) is designed to address:

The purpose of this program is to provide elementary and secondary earth science educators with first hand knowledge of earthquake causes and effects as well as earthquake mitigation and classroom preparedness. Most educators have not had the opportunity to view earthquake features in the field and thus have had difficulty teaching the topic in the classroom. The purpose of this workshop is to provide the educators with knowledge that they can effectively transfer to students. The workshop also provides materials for classroom activities designed for Idaho.

During the week-long workshop both in the field and in-camp sessions the teachers explore geologic features, engage in measurements and interpretations, operate a seismograph and learn other skills. The sessions are facilitated by geologists, seismologists, and earthquake preparedness and emergency management specialists.

This program is unique in the region. Participant costs are minimal due to the camp setting and sponsorship funding. Sponsorship is a partnership of the Idaho Geological Survey, Bureau of Disaster Services, the Idaho Earth Science Teachers Association, and FEMA. Facilitators from FEMA and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology have participated, as well as experts on Tremor Troops and Seismic Sleuths. Credit is available through the University of Idaho. The family setting provides scheduling flexibility for teachers that otherwise could not come. Teaching materials including slide sets are provided that otherwise could not be purchased. This program specifically encourages teachers to adapt their field knowledge into their own classroom and laboratory curricula.

Program’s start-up costs: 10,000

Source(s): Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services/Idaho Geological Survey

Program’s annual operating costs: 15,300

Source(s): Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services/Idaho Geological Survey

Number of full-time equivalent employees working with this program: 5

Did this program originate in your state: Yes

Are similar program in other states?: No

This program has been fully implemented: Yes

Evaluations from the teachers has been extremely positive. School districts have also encouraged their teachers to attend and in some cases have paid the minimal registration fee. The number of participants has increased each year and a limit of 45 participants plus family members has been necessary because of space, logistics and safety considerations. A second session was added in 1996 to accommodate the increase.

The main agenda of the workshops has not changed. However, the in-camp training sessions have become more sophisticated to include new technology and meet the higher proficiency of the educators and now include computer activities. Participant sharing sessions are increasingly productive. The flexibility of the camp setting has evolved mainly from individual cooking into group barbecues and interactive campfire sessions. The success of the program is dependent on the facilitators and the time involved in preparation of field materials and logistics.

Lite Geology

Telephone: 505-835-5112

Fax: 505-835-6333

The program has been operating: Since November 1992

The major purpose of the program and the problem(s) or issue(s) is designed to address:

The purpose of Lite Geology is to build earth science awareness by presenting educators and the public with contemporary geologic topic issues and events. Lite Geology met a need to support earth science education in New Mexico.

It is published quarterly and distributed to approximately 1500 educators statewide. An additional 1,200 readers include geology buffs, libraries and professionals from government agencies and private industries.

The approach was to create a fun to read, less technical publication that would appeal to a broad audience. It had to be "light geology".

Program’s start-up costs: N/A

Source(s): NM Bureau of Mines

Program’s annual operating costs: 12-15,000/year

Source(s): NM Bureau of Mines

Number of full-time equivalent employees working with this program: 2

Did this program originate in your state: Yes

Are similar program in other states?: Yes

This program has been fully implemented: Yes

Lite Geology has drawn great interest from both in-state and out of state readers. Effectiveness has been measured by feedback from teachers about how they have integrated "Lite Geology" materials into their classroom activities.

Lite Geology is evolving. Rather than limitations Lite Geology has created more opportunities to communicate a variety of geologic and environmental topics.

Additional comments: The Bureau is examining outside sources of funding as Lite Geology continues to grow.

Earthquake Program -- "Academic Aftershocks"

Telephone: 510-286-0895

Fax: 510-286-0853

The program has been operating: 1 Year

The major purpose of the program and the problem(s) or issue(s) is designed to address:

Administrators, faculty and staff members, and emergency response professionals discuss the effects of the Northridge earthquake on the CSUN campus. The video examines crucial issues for the university in the hours, days and weeks following the disaster.

Video developed as a partnership between the California State University System and the OES Earthquake Program. Matching funds provided by FEMA/NEHRP. Debut of film included a screening that was satellite downlinked to seventeen universities across the country.

Documents direct experience and translates lesson into action. This is the first video directed specifically to higher education.

Program’s start-up costs: 10,000

Source(s): 50% State/ 50% Federal

Program’s annual operating costs: N/A

Number of full-time equivalent employees working with this program: 3

Did this program originate in your state: Yes

Are similar program in other states?: No

This program has been fully implemented: Yes

The video was well received and has stimulated preparedness and mitigation activities, as well as on-going coordination and exchange between universities.

In response to comments from users, OES has also produced a short version of the video so that it may reach a larger audience, particularly at large meetings and conferences.