EveryDay Earth in the Classroom

 

We had the chance to demonstrate EveryDay Earth in a 6th grade classroom recently and it was a hit!  Later, we were able to talk to the teacher, Ms. Cook, about here experiences with using EveryDay Earth.  Here's a quick video about it:

EveryDay Earth Transmissions #2

The quarantine continues and EveryDay Earth Headquarters is on lockdown! But don't worry, Devin is broadcasting a steady stream of transmissions.   Let's start with some information on coquinas:

Next up is some valuable info on granite.  Pay close attention, there's a lot to learn about this valuable rock:

And finally, here's one about the beautiful and mysterious barite rose rocks of Oklahoma:

Stay tuned for more!  You can get more information on our Facebook and Twitter!

EveryDay Earth Transmissions #1

Just like everyone else, we're in lockdown these days due to the global pandemic.  But don't worry, while Devin is quarantined at EveryDay Earth Headquarters he can still get messages out.  We plan to provide daily (or semi-daily) updated about rocks, minerals, fossils, science or just about anything else.  The first transmission is about petrified wood:

Up next we have some information about Chemical Sedimentary Rocks:

Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to stay home yourself.  We'll bring the science to you!

EveryDay Earth Clips

We have a few new clips from EveryDay Earth available. If you haven't checked out EveryDay Earth yet, it's a free interactive video curriculum supplement for teachers.  You can follow Devin and the EveryDay Earth Corps on adventures and choose which data gets collected in different locations along the adventure.

Throughout the lessons, STEM concepts are explored in short videos that students can click on as they progress.  Here's a quick overview of precipitation:

A variety of locations are featured in EveryDay Earth.  So far we've shot marshes, plains, canyons and a variety of bodies fo water.  We try to explore the scientific background of each location.  Here's a quick clip about the Gloss Mountains in northwest Oklahoma:

If you haven't checked out EveryDay Earth yet then head to the website and sign up for free.  The first two Missions are ready and the third one will be available later this year!

Latest Shoot: Oklahoma Aquarium

Production on the first adventure of EveryDay Earth has pretty much finished up but we're already working on the second!  Since the curriculum is Oklahoma based we wanted to involve as many educational Oklahoma attractions as possible.

It's also not just Oklahoma rocks and landforms we want to include, we also want to incorporate Oklahoma wildlife to show to show how so many natural systems are connected.   Thankfully the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks was happy to let us stop by and get some footage.

The main focus of the shoot was the "Aquatic Oklahoma" exhibit which features all kinds of local critters that swim, slither, skitter and float around the lakes and rivers of Oklahoma.  It was a great opportunity to get the kind of close up shots of animals that we would never be able to get in the wild.

While out and about, we couldn't help but get some shots at Eufaula Lake.  Water is the main concept covered in the first Module of Everyday Earth so we've shot quite a few of the lakes, rivers, springs, ponds and waterfalls in the state but it never hurts to have more footage.  Plus water is such a crucial part of natural science, geography and culture that there's always a need for extra footage.

And just like that we got some more wildlife shots.  I'm honestly not sure what kind of birds these are so we'll have to check in with our biologist and ornithologist friends to see if they can weigh in.  It was windy and really cold this weekend so outdoor shooting was kept to a minimum but there was one other shot we needed to get:

Coal Miners Memorial Plaza in MacAlester, OK is dedicated to those that lost their lives in the dangerous job of coal mining.  It's also a great visual reminder of the influence of coal in the area.  It has had a large economic impact in the region as well as a cultural one.

We shot footage of this monument years ago for our documentary "Oklahoma Rocks" but that was back in the Standard Definition days.  Since these days we're working in HD 4K video, the older footage would not work in a current project.  But luckily stuff like this is in the neighborhood and it always helps to check back in on an area to make sure our footage is up to date.

EveryDay Earth Trailer

Here's the trailer for our new project "EveryDay Earth!"  It's an interactive video curriculum supplement that lets students go on adventures, make choices and gather data as they learn about earth science and STEM concepts.  We'll be rolling it out to Oklahoma public schools this year!

Geo-Walk: St. Mary’s Glacier

We recently braved the cold and hiked up the trail to get a look at St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs, Colorado.  Here's a quick video:

More Rocks in Your Head

Today the Oklahoma Geological Foundation and Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society hosted another of their "More Rocks in Your Head" workshops for Oklahoma public school teachers with the goal of helping teachers incorporate earth science into their curriculum.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend and interact with the teachers.  Devin gave a brief presentation about our new project "Every Day Earth" and we got some great feedback.

The OGF also donated two of their Rock, Mineral and Fossil Kits as prizes for the teachers.  The workshop instructor, Edmond public school teacher Dick Opalka, and Devin pulled out some names for the lucky winners.

Congratulations to the two teachers who won!  Devin also gave a way a few copies of his book, "My Book of Rocks and Minerals."  Hopefully the materials and knowledge passed along will directly benefit the next generation of earth scientists!

STEM Education at the Ballpark

Recently Devon Energy and the OKC Dodgers celebrated STEM education by working with local schools and teachers for MVP Day!  Devin was there showing off rock and fossil specimens from the Oklahoma Geological Society.  Here's some video we shot during the event:

Talkin' Rocks

Recently, EMI's own Devin Dennie did some Earth Science outreach with some young Oklahoma students/aspiring scientists.

Here's what Devin had to say about it:

"I had the opportunity to show off the fantastic rock kits provided by the Oklahoma Geological Foundation last Friday, March 10th 2017, at the Piedmont Intermediate School in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Special thanks to Ms. Rebecca Tyberg for her invitation to come speak to about 300 of Piedmont's finest up and coming students!"

"We talked about the history of Oklahoma, the Rock Cycle, and many other fun facts about the Earth in their lives. I even showed them a Geology Kitchen video or two!  It was a great experience and a lot of fun!"

Texas Education on iTunes U

Two of our podcasts, Geology Kitchen and East Texas Explorer were recently selected to be a part of Texas Education on iTunes U, a free multimedia content to educators, students, and parents in Texas and around the world from the Texas Education Agency!  You can find it on iTunes HERE.

Geology Kitchen #13 - Feldsparty

Good news! It's time for an all new Geology Kitchen!

Feldspars are the second most common group of minerals on Earth. The are important contributors to soils as they weather relatively easily to form clays. Potassium, Sodium and Calcium are the most common elements in Feldspars passed on to plants and animals, and are all elements critical to human life.

Digging Selenite Crystals in The Oklahoma Salt Plains

A quick look gypsum and digging selenite crystals in the Salt Plains in Oklahoma.  This is a clip from the documentary “Oklahoma Rocks!”

SluiceMobile! - Mobile Gem Mining Sluice

A quick look at the Mobile Gem Mining Sluice from JNE Lapidary: