THE NOVA SCOTIA EDGEO WORKSHOP PROGRAM: 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING

When the EdGEO teachers workshop program began in Nova Scotia in 1994, the plan was for six workshops across the province in as many years. As we head toward our tenth workshop in August 2003, I guess we have some explaining to do. Simply stated, we did not anticipate the ongoing interest and need for such a program. We expected the workshop to run its course and/or teachers to demand higher level sessions. But no - at least not yet. That's not to say we have not made changes along the way. The changes have stemmed from the participant feedback sessions held at the end of each workshop. The participants have told us what works and what doesn't. So, what does work? Hands-on interactive sessions, local resources, tested classroom activities, tag-team presenters, small participant groups, field trips, more field trips, and organizers with a sense of humour. What doesn't work? Talking-head presentations, too many topics, information overload, and bad food. Geoscience workshops can be very rewarding for both the participants and the presenters. They are a way to help teachers become comfortable with leading classes on earth science. As geologists, we need to partner with educators to increase this level of comfort and to bring earth science into the classroom. I challenge you to run a workshop in your area. You may discover that it becomes the most rewarding part of your career.