journal of science education

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Resonance

April 2005
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Refresher Course in Earth System Science

June 25 – July 6, 2005

at
Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore 560 012, India

A two week Introductory Course on Earth System Science will be offered to college and university teachers in teaching earth, physical and biological sciences between June 25 and July 6, 2005. The course will consist of about 9 days of lectures by experts in the country and about 2-3 days of field trip around Bangalore to appreciate earth as a system.

Changes in human number, behaviour and their material wants require a closer look of our earth and its life-sustaining critical resources such as air, water, land/soil/mineral and biodiversity. Among the several scientific discoveries of the twentieth century, the realization that the earth is a holistic and homeostatic system consisting of many component parts with complex interconnections and interactions, is the most important one. Major components include the solid earth, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere and the biosphere located at the interface of the three geospheres. The Science of the earth, now generally known as Earth System Science, studies the whole earth as a system of interacting and interdependent parts maintaining a delicate balance to sustain life on it. This realization is very essential for all citizens of our earth. For this, changes are required in the way the science of the earth has so far been taught in our colleges and universities. Therefore, we plan to develop an introductory course on Earth System Science and deliver it to college and university teachers so that the desirable changes in Earth Science education are effected in a feedback manner in due course of time.

Faculty members with experience in teaching subjects such as geosciences, physical sciences and biological sciences may send their applications providing their curriculum vitae, teaching/research interest/experience, contact details including postal and email addresses, telephone numbers, and one para write-up on specific reasons for attending this Introductory Course on Earth System Science. Faculty members are also required to indicate that necessary leave for their participation would be available from their institutions.

Selected teachers for the course will be supported for their travel (up to AC-3 tier) to Bangalore and return and will be provided local hospitality (lodging and boarding) by the Indian Academy of Sciences. Applications may be sent to either one of the course directors:

Prof.V.Rajamani
School of Environmental Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU)
New Delhi-110067,
Email: rajav_46@yahoo.com

Prof. S.K. Tandon
Department of Geology
University of Delhi
Delhi 110007,
Email: sktand@nda.vsnl.net.in

Last date for receipt of applications: 30 April 2005

Indian Academy of Sciences
C.V.Raman Avenue, Post Box No. 8005,
Sadashivanagar Post, Bangalore 560 080