NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has proclaimed Oct. 11 through Oct.17 Earth Science Week in Tennessee, which will promote the important role that geology and other earth sciences play in Tennessee’s safety, health, welfare and economy, and increase awareness of the dynamic interactions of the planet’s natural systems.

“Earth Science Week is always a special week for students to learn about earth sciences and the natural world around us,” Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau said. “We are pleased to provide these educational tools to Tennessee’s classrooms.”

As part of Earth Science Week, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Tennessee Geological Survey, in partnership with the American Geosciences Institute, has a limited number of Earth Science Week toolkits to distribute to science teachers across the state.

Earth Science Week toolkits available to Tennessee teachers 

Educators interested in receiving an Earth Science Week toolkit may contact Ron Zurawski at[email protected] or (615) 532-1502. The toolkits are free of charge while supplies last. For more information about Earth Science Week, please visit www.earthsciweek.org.

The 2015 Earth Science Week theme is “Visualizing Earth’s Systems,” designed to promote awareness of the many ways scientists monitor and represent information about Earth systems including land, air, water, and living things. Using technologies ranging from on-site data collection to satellite-based remote sensing, scientists investigate conditions of Earth systems.

Today’s scientists display their findings in charts, graphs, diagrams, illustrations, photos, videos, computer-generated animations, and 3D-printed creations. In addition to telescopes and microscopes, we can also view and map changes in natural systems through new avenues such as computer games, smartphone apps, and online videos.