About the Earth Science Educational Resource Center

The primary mission of the Earth Science Educational Resource Center is to facilitate the integration of the process of "doing science" into our culture. To realize this mission, the following goals have been established:

• Provide students with opportunities to experience science as a process of discovery, rather than just as a mere collection of facts.
• Enhance students' analytical thinking skills.
• Encourage students of all backgrounds to consider careers in scientific research or science education.
• Help educators develop the ability to utilize hands-on investigation as a method of teaching science.
• Promote utilization of the local natural environment as a teaching laboratory.
• Incorporate state of the art technology into the educational process.
• Promote scientific literacy among students and the general public.

ESERC accomplishes its goals through direct interaction with pre-K through 12th grade students, organization of teacher workshops, university credit courses for teachers, college undergraduates and graduate students and posting of interactive educational material on the World Wide Web.