Introduction

  Community service is an important part of the overall SIUC mission, and the Department of Geology is committed to serving the earth science outreach needs of the southern Illinois region. In the Department of Geology, Mr. Harvey Henson is available to coordinate earth science related outreach and community service activities. Part of his responsibilities include earthquake seismology and geology tours of the Department of Geology located in Parkinson Lab. Hundreds of visitors from throughout the southern Illinois region are accommodated each academic year. Tours and discussions often include explanations of rock, mineral, and fossil exhibits on display at Parkinson Lab, demonstrations of various research facilities, such as the Earthquake Observatory, hands-on demonstrations and experiments, and interactive computer demonstrations. Small groups and groups as large as 200 students frequent the department each year. Visitors range in age from gifted kindergartners through senior citizens. As Adjunct Currator of Geology for the University Museum, Mr. Henson can also arrange visits to the museum to see the Life Through Time paleontology exhibit. Contact Mr. Henson at the Department of Geology (618/453-7349) to arrange a visit or to schedule a presentation for your group (e-mail: henson@geo.siu.edu).

Earthquake Information

  If you are interested in earthquake information, go to our Earthquake Information website for earthquake awareness and preparedness. On our earthquake webpages you can link to online (near real-time) SIUC recordings of earthquakes from the New Madrid seismic zone and from around the world. 

Basics in Geology (B.I.G.)

  B.I.G. is an informal earth science education program for students in local junior and senior high schools. This unique mentoring program began in the fall of 1995 as an experimental extension to the normal outreach efforts of the Department of Geology on the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus. The B.I.G. program was developed by Harvey Henson a geophysicist with the Department of Geology.  

Young Earth Scientists Program
   Young Earth Scientists (YES) is an inquiry-based earth science project fostering cooperation and collaboration between geographically distant schools. YES uses computer and Internet technology to produce increased student awareness of the value of scientific method and logical reasoning for problem solving in a real world setting beyond the classroom.

Goal: Students will be able to apply scientific method to develop and evaluate a hypothesis explaining observed phenomena in a real world setting.

Teacher/Parent Resources and Activities

• Making Fossils
• Dino Dimensions
• Volcano Madness
• Earth's Surface / Erosion Games
   

Area Schools Outreach Programs

• Davie Elementary School Fossil Resource at Anna, IL
• Ellis Elementary School at Belleville, IL
• Geology of Southern Illinois: Cobden Jr. and Sr. High School
• Southern Illinois Paleontology Project Journal: Lincoln Middle School at Carbondale, IL

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Schedule of Guest Speakers