EdGEO, initiated in the early 1970s, supports local workshops on earth science for Canadian teachers. It is coordinated by the Canadian Geoscience Education Network of the Canadian Geoscience Council (CGC) and currently funded by donors including CGC, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, the Geological Association of Canada and the Mineralogical Association of Canada.

EdGEO workshops provide teachers with

enhanced knowledge,

classroom resources and

increased confidence.

Workshops are organized by local geoscientists and teachers. Grants of up to $3000 per workshop are available from the National EdGEO Program.

Statement of Purpose:

By providing educational opportunities for today's teachers and, through them, their students, EdGEO seeks to cultivate a heightened awareness and appreciation of our planet. The expected result is an improved capacity on the part of Canadians to understand the Earth and to make wise decisions, especially with regard to the use of its mineral and energy resources, the maintenance and remediation of the environment, and response to geological hazards.

Here is what teachers are saying about recent EdGEO workshops:

2003 Teacher comments 

 "Handouts, visuals and discussions have equipped me with the knowledge needed to engage students in the exploration of rocks and minerals"    Edmonton Dec 2003

 "The single best in-service I have ever attended", "Best bang for the buck around", "Wow! Can't wait to play with my resource materials and use them in the classroom"    Nova Scotia Aug 2003

 "I enjoyed the 'hands-on approach of viewing formations up close on the fieldtrip rather than in pictures", "I have a much more holistic picture of Earth Science and this will allow me to connect all of the 'topics' in my curriculum", I was blown away! The timing was fantastic as was the knowledge base of the experts. The resource package was the best I have received …” The Yoho Burgess Shale Foundation Aug 2003

 "An inspiration to the upcoming teacher year", "It was just a top notch workshop with so much to take home to our students", "The sponsors are to be thanked for this opportunity to educate educators"  Drumheller July 2003

 "Hands-on simple explanations followed by "hands-on' examples. Lots of experienced people to answer all questions. Rock samples with explanations will be great for educational purposes when teaching in the future" Edmonton Jun 2003

 "Excellent demonstration ideas that have been classroom tested. Hands-on practice made content relevant. Wonderful ‘goody-bag’ that is immediately applicable", "Passionate speakers! Contagious", "Please keep offering these types of workshop for teachers", “Good lesson ideas – usable and efficient – also cost effective (classrooms are expensive places)” Vancouver GAC/MAC May 2003

 "I enjoyed the workshop, especially all the hands-on practical ideas. Well done” “Looking forward to trying these activities with my students, great hands-on for kids of all ages", “Very good approach to the presentation. I liked the use of activities to demonstrate how to reach outcomes”  Resolute, Nunavut Mar 2003

 "Very exciting and interactive. Presenters did a fantastic job" Iqualuit , Nunavut Mar 2003

 "The package of resources will be well used", "Many possible lessons can be created from the information passed onto us ... very good treatment and atmosphere" Cambridge Bay,  Feb Nunavut 2003

 "This course gave me some really great ideas and things to do since I have no science background. Thank you", "The take-home info is great", "My thanks for encapsulating the unit. I feel I have a picture of the whole. Will be able to bring to students an enlightened overview: show how it all fits into their learning: why it is important to learn about the earth and how they can have fun learning", “Lots of useful information. Some wonderful experiments and hands-on activities. Thank you” Calgary Feb 2003

 Summary of 2003 workshops

2003	Grant Recipients	Focus/Highlights	# Participants
Calgary AB/02	Calgary Science Network	·        Grade 7 Curriculum ·        Planet Earth	31
Cambridge Bay Nunavut /02	Dept of Sustainable Development Government of Nunavut	·        Grades 4-6 teachers ·        Rocks, minerals and erosion	12
Resolute Nunavut /03	Dept. of Sustainable Development Government of Nunavut	·        Grades 4-6 teachers ·        Rocks, minerals and erosion	7
Iqualuit Nunavut /03	Dept. of Sustainable Development Government of Nunavut	·        Grades 4-6 teachers ·        Rocks, minerals and erosion	6
Vancouver BC/05 (GAC/MAC 2003)	EdGEO National Committee	·        Grades, 7, 8 and 10 ·        Geological time, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks and minerals	37
Edmonton AB/06	Dixon Edwards	·        Rocks and geologists ·        Rock Walk in downtown Edmonton	12
Drumheller AB/08	Royal Tyrrell Museum	·        Field studies in palaeontology and geology ·        five day workshop including three days of fieldtrips	12
Field BC/08	The Yoho-Burgess Shale Foundation	·        Three day workshop ·        Transect of the Rockies fieldtrip ·        History of life, Rocks and mountain building, Climate change, geohazards and UNESCO sites	21
Parrsboro NS/08	Nova Scotia EdGEO Workshop Committee	·        “Geology Rocks”a two day workshop centred on rocks, minerals, fossils and time ·        two half day fieldtrips ·        extensive teacher resources	28
Yellowknife NWT/11	No direct funding requested	·        Yellowknife Educators Conference ·        Funded by NRCan and NWT Govt	16
Edmonton AB/12	Dixon Edwards	·        Grade 3 teachers ·        2 hour rocks and minerals workshop to supplement curriculum	20