Legislation recognizes the importance of Earth Science Week.
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) partnered with more than 50 science and
professional societies, organizations and companies to endorse a Congressional House Resolution supporting Earth
Science Week. Introduced by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), the resolution expresses support for designation of the week of
October 11–17, 2015 as Earth Science Week (ESW).
In his October 8 press release introducing the resolution, Rep. Honda noted that activities during the American
Geosciences Institute (AGI) international Earth Science Week help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation
for the Earth sciences and encourage stewardship of the Earth. The theme for 2015 ESW is “Visualizing Earth Systems.”
“SME is pleased to be endorsing this important resolution, as well as contributing to the education and public
outreach programs being made available to teachers and students across the nation and internationally,” said SME
Executive Director David L. Kanagy. “In addition, the opportunity to reach a large number of young people with our
message about the potential for careers in the mining and minerals industries is significant.”
In support of these outreach programs, the SME Foundation’s Minerals Education Coalition (MEC) is providing
educational resources for the AGI 2015 Earth Science Week toolkits that include three MEC bookmarks representing
careers in mining. Toolkits are made available to 16,000 science teachers and educators nationwide. The bookmarks also
detail how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects) are used by mining professionals. For more
information about MEC, visit www.MineralsEducationCoalition.org.
Congressman Honda continues to champion Earth science funding through many avenues, including National
Science Foundation budget appropriations and supporting funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Watch Congressman Honda’s floor speech introducing the Earth Science Week Resolution:
https://youtu.be/8XhzsAc9eDg.
