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NJ DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE: 10/9/01
01/116

CONTACT: Amy Collings or Sharon A. Southard
(609) 984-1795 or 609-292-2994

STUDENTS URGED TO GO 'ROCKIN' DOWN THE HIGHWAY' IN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP EXPLORING NJ GEOLOGY

In observance of National Earth Science Week, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a statewide competition in which students will develop geological field trips, comprised of maps, text, photos and other data, to be posted on DEP's website.

"New Jersey has a host of places to explore, whether you're looking for prehistoric fossils, fluorescent, neon-colored minerals, Cape May diamonds, or a glacial lake," said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn. "The object of this contest is to increase student and public interest in New Jersey's unique geology by promoting easily accessible field trips through the web."

The theme for this second annual "Earth to Earth Challenge" is "Rockin' Down the Highway." The contest is open to students in grades 6 - 12. Entries must be submitted in HTML format either electronically or on disk and may include original music to enhance the electronic "journey" to any of the state 's unique geologic sites, explained Tanya Oznowich, environmental education supervisor at DEP.

National Earth Science Week runs from Oct. 7 to 13. Participants in the contest must register by Feb. 15, 2002, and entries must be submitted by March 8, 2002. Only one entry per school is allowed. Winners will be announced on or before Earth Day, April 22, 2002 and a recognition ceremony will be held at DEP April 25, 2002. All eligible entries will become featured field trip sites on DEP's "Rockin' Down the Highway" website.

The class projects are designed to enhance research, writing, mapping and technology use skills, and support a variety of classroom standards in science, social studies and language arts.

Each submission must include a variety of requirements, including directions to the site, the geological features or geological significance of the site, a question sheet or other study aid to help visitors explore and understand the site's unique features, maps of the site, and best times to visit the site.

The contest is sponsored by the Environmental Education Program in DEP's Office of Communications, and the New Jersey Geological Survey. For more information or to register, contact Marc Rogoff at DEP at 609-292-1474 or visit the DEP website at www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/e2e2002.htm

 

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