Software and Materials for International GLOBE Program

Esri's Commitment to K-12 Education Honored by the National Mining Association

At its October Expo, the National Mining Association (NMA) honored Esri with its 2000 Chairman's Award for Excellence in Mining Education. NMA chose Esri for the educational programs it maintains in K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, public and college libraries, museums, nature centers, and other sites for educating the public. Earth sciences and mining technology are key components of these programs.

Steven Leer, chairman of NMA and president and CEO of Arch Coal, Inc., presided over the awards ceremony during the MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2000 in Las Vegas. He said the purpose of the awards was "to recognize those member organizations that are doing an extraordinary job of fostering mineral education in classrooms in their communities and across the country."

Winning the manufacturers and services crystal trophy, Esri's many educational and public outreach activities and, in particular, its work with the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program were cited. Jackie Evanger, former vice president of the Mineral Information Institute and an awards judge, said, "The range of mining- and earth science-related educational activities that Esri performs and supports is very impressive."

GLOBE is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. In the GLOBE Program, students and teachers from more than 9,500 schools around the world are working with research scientists to learn about the earth. GLOBE students make environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data through the Internet.

Esri helps participating GLOBE schools take advantage of GIS by providing software and training; distributing mapping tools, activity kits, and lesson materials; and demonstrating GIS concepts at teacher conferences.

Mike Price, Esri mining industry solutions manager, accepted the award for Esri saying, "At Esri we recognize that mining is an important part of our lives, and we strive to inform, educate, and enlighten the public, including school children, about how GIS technology enables miners to do their jobs in a cleaner, safer, and more efficient mode."

This is the fourth year NMA has given out the awards, which honor four categories of winners-hardrock mining, coal mining, manufacturers and suppliers, and state associations.

In addition to the GLOBE Program, Esri's mining and earth science education and public outreach activities include support for the following organizations: Society of Mining Engineers, National Mineral Education Conference, American Society of Surface Mining and Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, American Association of State Geologists, Geological Society of America, Geography Network, Jamaica Bauxite Institute, and many K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

For more information, contactMike Price, Esri (tel.: 909-793-2853,ext. 1-1677, e-mail: mprice@esri.com).

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