Fossils and funny bones for the under 8s

Did you know that Explore @ Bristol is running workshops for the under 8s?

"Fossil Finders: Discover the magic of prehistoric worlds through playful and imaginative games and activities in this hands-on workshop. Children will make their own fossils, move like a dinosaur and find out about the creatures that once roamed the Earth."

The cost is £1.75 per pupil for an hour long visit and 30 pupils and 15 adults can be accommodated at one time.

Dates - 15 - 19th October, 12 November - 7th December, 21st January - 8th February, 3 - 14th March, 12 - 23rd May.

Geology of Bath video

Please click here to view a short video about the geology of Bath. It would be fun to produce one with images of famous geological sites in the west country. Please send me your jpeg photos and I will put something together - or rather, the Animoto team will.

Soudley Valley Geology Trail

The popular Soudley Valley Rural Geology Trail, Forest of Dean has two new interpretation boards, courtesy of the GGT (Gloucestershire Geology Trust) and Rusbridge and Soudley Parish Council. There are two interpretation boards, one concerning the geology and geology trail, the other about the Hod Boys which will overlook the sculpture of a Hod Boy at the picnic site below Bluerock Quarry.

There is also a very good booklet (£1.95) about the trail, available from the nearby Forest of Dean Heritage Centre.

International Year of Planet Earth

As you know, Professor Mike Benton of the University of Bristol is currently President of the Geologists' Association. The GA celebrates its 150th birthday in 2008 (GA150) and 2008 is also the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). The GA with the GSL Education Committee as a partner, is organising an educational/outreach programme, the aim of which is to combine a poster campaign to all schools with linked web materials, and a programe of talks in schools by students, coordinated by University Earth sciences/geology departments. The plan is to make a sustainable and continuing programme.

Also for the International Year of Planet Earth and making a difference to the education of children across the world is Earthlearningidea. We are publishing 5 Earth-related activities up to December and then one a week for the whole of 2008. These activities require minimal resources and equipment.