Our Initiatives
CFES continues to advocate for public education in Earth sciences on a number of fronts, including through its committees, CGEN and UNESCO Global GeoParks.
CGEN and EdGeo
The Canadian Geoscience Education Network (CGEN) is a committee of CFES, whose president is the CFES Outreach director. CGEN is focused on all levels of geoscience education in Canada and increasing public awareness of geosciences. For more information on CGEN and workshops for teachers, visit their website here.
EdGEO, a suborganization of CGEN, provides educational resources for teachers. For classroom-ready activities, explore EdGeo's free online manuals Brining Earth Science to Life and Putting Earth into Science. EdGEO also organizes workshops for teachers, and funding to support hosting a workshop is availble.
The WHERE Challenge
The WHERE Challenge is a national contest for students ages 9-14 to discover what is in your stuff and WHERE on Earth does it come from? The WHERE challenge contest is open until March 11, 2015, enter to learn more about Earth sciences. Thousands of dollars of regional and national prizes for groups and individuals are waiting to be won!
Geoparks
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-related risks.
By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area. The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.
If you would like to know more about Canadian UNESCO Global Geoparks in Canada visit canadiangeoparks.org