Learning about what makes the world “tick” is a common interest among geologists, mineralogists and physicists. Six years ago, the Physics and Geoscience Department at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) decided to host an annual event that would celebrate the Earth and its many features.
From Oct. 15 to 19, TAMUK’s Physics and Geosciences department hosted its 6th annual Earth Science Week.
Geosciences Week is celebrated all around the world from Oct. 14 to 20. It is greatly embraced by higher education institutes and K-12 schools. TAMUK is no exception.
The week-long celebration for TAMUK started on Oct. 15, with a special presentation by guest speaker Patrick Nye, TAMUK alumn and founder of Nye Exploration & Production and Nye Renewable.
Nye has more than 35 years of experience in gas exploration and development and runs a successful oil and gas company.
However, Nye’s presentation “Building on Success and Failures: The Life as an Independent” highlighted both the highs and lows of his career.
Nye emphasized the importance of keeping one’s individual passions alive, staying positive, giving back, keeping up with technology and planning ahead.
Diego Flores, geology major and the president of TAMUK’s Geoscience Club, thought Nye was approachable and shared valuable information.
“I really liked him. He’s very knowledgeable and I think he’s a great resource for all of us, especially since Nye is very willing to help us…if we email him or try [to] call him, he’ll get back to us,” Flores said.
As the week continued, the Physics and Geosciences Department held a Departmental Open House on Oct. 16, an event open to the public to learn about different fields and see personal rock and mineral collections, and an opportunity for students to meet faculty.
On Oct. 17, the Geosciences Club helped arrange a ceremony for the local Boy Scouts to receive their Geology Merit Badges. Mark Ford, TAMUK professor of geology, explains he hopes to expand that event by inviting other groups such as the Girls Scouts.
Ford held a public lecture titled “An Update and Review of the Exciting 2018 Hawaiian Volcanic Eruptions” on Oct. 18. Ford explains that he came up with the topic after the volcanic events of this year.
“I thought about this, probably about three months ago, when the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii were still booming and zooming. So it’s super exciting. It’ll be kind of fun because hopefully we’ll be able to show some drone video about some of the recent volcanic eruptions in Hawaii,” Ford said.
On the last day of Geosciences week, students participated in a Campus Clean-up Activity, at which they volunteered to pick up trash and help beautify the campus. Brent Hedquist, associate professor of Geography and Department Chair, led the Campus Clean-Up. Hedquist thinks it’s all about “doing a good deed.” He also strongly supports Earth Science Week and what it represents.
“I feel it’s a great way to get the word out on how the Earth is important and we get to learn about the Earth and support it,” Hedquist said. “It’s an education outreach. Let people know about Earth Sciences and appreciate the Earth.”