EARTHNET: A VIRTUAL EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCE CENTRE

EarthNet is a unique website tailored to meet the needs of Canadian K-12 earth science educators (http://earthnet.bio.ns.ca). These needs, expressed by educators who have attended science teacher conferences and workshops, centre on easy access to earth science information that is reliable, low cost, interesting, and based on the Pan Canadian curriculum. Fortunately, these conditions also ensure that the site is useful to students, outreach geoscientists, and the general public. The educational materials and teaching resources on EarthNet are accessible through these main sections: Teaching Resources, a database of over 2000 resources and a list of pre-packaged teacher resource kits; Activities; Geology in the Classroom, a question and answer facility; Earth Science Site of the Week; Especially for Teachers, a section to inform educators of learning opportunities; an illustrated Glossary, which can be searched alphabetically or by subject; Calendar of Events; Exploring Our Dynamic Earth, a selection of short visual presentations that explain geologic principles and processes; Virtual Field Trip; Geology of Communities, which shows the importance of geoscience in our day-to-day lives; Hall of Fame, a recent addition which showcases noteworthy Canadian geoscientists and their work; and Geology in a Can (also new to the site) provides presentation guidelines and suggested resources for budding outreach geoscientists. EarthNet depends greatly on the contributions made by volunteer geologists and educators. Many of these people work within local outreach groups that are associated with the Canadian Geoscience Education Network (CGEN). Through these channels, EarthNet can encourage contributions and obtain feedback from users. EarthNet is a priority project of CGEN and the Atlantic Geoscience Society. Without the support of these groups and other Canadian geoscience associations, the site would not exist. EarthNet's potential is tremendous. But this means a solid financial commitment is required for its ongoing development. Those who strongly support the concept will strive to make this happen.