Educational Resources

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The FGS provides both publications and educational outreach to k-12 students and teachers. The FGS also provides an Open House each October to celebrate Earth Science Week. Updates and plans for the Open House, which is open to the public, can be found on the Florida Geology webpage. 

Additional k-12 outreach and service components of our work include the following:

• A free copy of any publication to any teacher who requests it on school letterhead.
• Talks on requested geologic subjects to classes in reasonable proximity to the FGS.
• Lead local class geology field trips.
• Answers to specific questions received from teachers at our website concerning geology, publications or other resources available to them.
• Assistance to middle school and high school students seeking earth science related internships.
• Staff participation as local school science fair judges and providing technical assistance to students working on earth science projects.
• Staff participation in agency and community science education events aimed at least in part at K-12 students.
• Participation in local school cooperative programs, engaging selected students in actual FGS projects.

Videos

• Florida Geology Unearthed: Available in DVD and VHS, aimed at the eighth-grade level. Contact the FGS for ordering information.
• Florida's Aquifer Adventure: Also available in DVD and VHS. A 20-minute film describes Florida's aquifer systems, springs, caves and environmental issues. Contact the FGS for ordering information.
• CPALMS Perspectives Videos for Educators - Florida Geological Survey Series: Karst Geology - Characteristics of Karst Geology:

• The Florida Channel: Florida Crossroads – Florida Remembers – Rocks, Water, Life: Florida’s Geology: This video explores Florida's geologic history.
• Florida Frontiers Radio Program #126: A radio program interview about the history of Florida's geologic resources. (For example, Florida's state mineral is chert, which was used by Native Americans to develop spears and other tools throughout the state.)
• The Earth Rocks All Around You!:  Former FGS Director and State Geologist of Florida provides an overview of Florida geology. 
• WFSU/Local Routes: EcoAdventures in Nature (Episode 504): In this video, Fred George Greenway and Park's geology is discussed. 
• WFSU/Local Routes: Amateur Archeologist vs. Looter: A Matter of Context?: Along an area of the Wacissa River, State Geologist Harley Means discusses the science of archeology and how our archeological resources are protected. 
• Visit Florida: Florida Travel: Florida's Most Famous Geological Exposure: Alum Bluff: State Geologist Harley Means discusses one of the rarest natural habitats on Earth.
• WFSU Public Media: A Geologist's View of the Apalachicola River/Shark Fossils and Rocks: Visit Means Creek and Alum Bluff along the Apalachicola River.
• WFSU Public Media: Hiking the Aucilla Sinks | Geology of the Floridan Aquifer Uncovered: Aucilla Sinks are uniquely Floridian because it represents the Florida beneath us, exposed.
• The Apalachicola River: An overview of the geology and geologic history of Florida's largest river: State Geologist Harley Means discusses the river's geological history.

Publications

Many of the FGS publications can be useful to both students and teachers and can be viewed online.

• Please view our list of publications. 

Posters

The FGS has many posters available for teachers. Look in the Poster sections of the list of publications. Listed below are some of our most popular posters.

• Florida's Hydrogeologic Environment
• Florida Minerals
• Florida's Fossil Mammals
• Geologic History of Florida

Maps

The FGS has many maps available for teachers. Look in the Map Series and Open File Map Series sections of the List of Publications. Listed below are some of our most popular maps.

• Sinkhole Type, Development & Distribution
• Terraces and Shoreline of Florida
• State Geologic Map
• Guide Map to Geologic and Paleontologic Sites in Florida, side 1, side 2
• State of Florida Geological Highway Map and Geoscience Resource Guide

In addition, our more technical maps and publications are occasionally requested and used by upper-level students and teachers in the K-12 range. The FGS website also provides an overview of Florida geology and Survey activities, with downloadable maps and data, and links to online publications.

Additional Resources

• Karst Productions - Water's Journey
• Geology Career Pathways: What Do Geologists Do?
• Exploring Florida - Science Teacher Resources
• AGI - Classroom Activities
• USGS Education Resources
• FloridaStudents.org
• Florida DOE Standards (Get the CCR App on GooglePlay or Apple App Store)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Resources
• Girls Who Code
• STEM
• American Geosciences Institute (AGI) Educational Resources
• Free Resources for Improving Diversity In Open Source STEM Projects
• Four Steps to Become a Professional Geologist

Organizations

• Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST)
• League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF)
• North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE)
• National Educator Program (NEP)

To schedule a visit, field trip, presentation, science fair judge or request resources, please contact Mabry Gaboardi Calhoun, 850-617-0342.