We have presented 356 laminated, framed USGS Geologic Maps of Time and Terrain to schools in the Coastal Bend area. The maps have been put in prominent places in the school at student eye-level—cafeteria, hallways, libraries, foyers. We have a label attached under the lamination that says “2007 Donation by the Corpus Christi Geological Society with support of the Don Boyd Continuing Education Fund.

Our goal is to “Plant the Seeds of Geologic Curiosity” by encouraging an interest in science in general and geology in particular and we think this map can do that.

Our usual presentations are to groups of students with their teachers where we tell them some facts about the map and then challenge them to tell those facts to any student/teacher that they see looking at the map. The map comes with a booklet of pertinent information about the map and how it was created. Check out the 'How to Present Maps' Guide.

This project has involved many of our members. They donate $150 per map—they can present the map themselves if they want to—but we have members who will also make multiple school presentations. We have raised about $18,000 since September, 2006 not only from members, but also from the community as they hear about the program. The Don Boyd Continuing Education Fund also contributes additional funds.

by Ken Milam EXPLORER Correspondent March 2009

Hopkins

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• He began with the idea of “maps in schools” – putting colorful, laminated, framed U.S. Geological Society time and terrain maps of the United States at eye-level for fifth and sixth graders in the Coastal Bend area.
• He made personal presentations, speaking to kids and teachers in terms they related to, mentioning “Jurassic Park” and other popular themes.
• He got colleagues infected by his enthusiasm to help him spread the message.

• 307 framed maps have been placed in schools around the country. (Framed maps are intended for high-traffic areas; rolled maps are given to teachers for their classrooms.)
• The Houston Geological Society purchased 200 rolled maps for area teachers.
• The “Rocks in Your Head” programs, funded in part by AAPG, distributed about 650 maps to teachers who attended seminars in eight states during 2008.
• The Tulsa Geological Society placed 33 geologic maps of North America in local schools.
• Mike Pollok, a SIPES member in Oklahoma City, bought 50 framed maps to be placed in Purcell, Okla. area schools.
• West Texas Geological Society placed 36 framed maps in Midland and Odessa schools.
• The San Joaquin Geological Society is placing geologic maps of California in five schools each year.