As I alluded to in my September letter, after my 20 years of giving presentations in Corpus Christi area schools, I have noticed that what is missing are maps on the school walls. So, my recommendation is to put the large, colorful, framed, laminated USGS Time and Terrain Geologic map of the US in every 5th and 6th grade school in the Coastal Bend. They can be mounted in a hallway or library as a permanent map for the school.

The CCGS approved, in 2004, that we give a rolled version of the Time and Terrain map at each Junior RockHound presentation. This large, striking, colorful map of the surface geologic age of the United States that is overlain onto a computer generated relief topographic map (go online to http://tapestry.usgs.gov/ to check it out for yourself) has been well received by teachers and students.

Due to the enthusiastic response for the Maps in School Project 2006-2007 that I presented at the KickOff BBQ, we received pledges from CCGS members to place 30 maps in schools in time for Earth Science Week October 8-13th, 2006. We are now on the way to our long term goal of placing a map in all 5th and 6th grade schools in the Coastal Bend.

The Executive Committee has authorized the use of the Don Boyd Continuing Education Fund to leverage CCGS member donations and increase the number of schools in the project. A label on each map will acknowledge that the gift is from the Corpus Christi Geological Society with support of the Don Boyd Continuing Education Fund.

This project enables the CCGS to contribute more Geologic resources to the local schools, to give something back to the community, to get some good PR for GeoScience and to put needed educational materials into the schools and hopefully get young students interested in science and geology.

The CCGS Student Members that are in the TAMUCC Geology Club have volunteered to distribute the maps to the schools as needed and to assist our members as GeoScience Liaisons with each school.

John Bockelman did a fine job of coordinating the KickOff BBQ at the museum—we had 99 RSVP’s. I look forward to seeing all of you at our future Town Club luncheons.

Owen Hopkins 9/12/06
CCGS President