FW: Glen Kuban's light relief and NBC

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David Kohl's asked Glen and me to post our correspondence so all who are 
interested can read. The only "private" correspondence Glen and I had was 
info Glen sent me re a book he wrote. He probably felt it was a bit 
self-serving to post it for all to see, but I agree with David that this 
information is/may be of value to others. Following is Glen's note to me:

Daryl,
Thanks a lot for your message.
Speaking as an ichnologist, you certainly sound like you are "on the
right track."

I'm glad to hear you are planning a field trip.  That is one of the
BEST ways to encourage interest in fossils.  It's a treasure hunt with
science education and exercise thrown in.  Please be sure to stress
safety issues when you go however.  I have written a short book (about
90 pages) entitled Introduction to Fossil Collecting which is
specifically designed for new fossil collectors.  I ran out of the last
printing but should have more available soon.  I make it available to
members of the Fossil Society in Cleveland at a discount(about $6.00) and 
would do the same for you or any of your troop.

Joining a local rock or fossil society and attending meetings is great
for new fossil collectors also.  I'm president of the Cleveland Fossil
Society this year, which takes a field trip every month in the summer,
and also has a program meeting each month.  We try to do a lot of
educational programs, some geared specially for the kids.  That way you
also keep the parents motivated to come too.

Having kids do their own projects or talks on specific types of
fossils, fossil preservation, preparation, molds and casts,
identification, etc. are also good for getting them involved.  I
suggest presenting these as show-and-tell type projects rather than
book report assignments, and most should enjoy it.

Last, if any have access to a computer, getting them involved on the
Internet is great too.  It is not too early to get them involved in
groups such as Rocks-and-fossils, Fossil Nuts, the Dinosaur List, etc.
A lot of the discussion is not too technical for them to understand,
and they will meet a lot of friendly fellow rock and fossil
enthusiasts.

Best wishes,
Glen Kuban
paleo@ix.netcom.com

and my reply to Glen was:

Thanks for the encouragement, and offer. Put me down for two copies, and 
let me know when it is available - there may be several copies wanted in 
Vancouver. Good idea about the educational meetings - I will pass the idea 
on to the VPS. Maybe we can get hundreds, if not thousands, of "new" 
scientists off on an earth history track.

Daryl

and David's prompt

Mssrs. Fuller and Kuban,

I should like to encourage all to post their responses to this question to
the list  for the benefit of the many of us who have a similar  interest.

David


My question and challenge to you professional educators out there is
"How do we demonstrate, teach, or introduce legitimate science and
scientific investigation to our youth?" We are making a big issue out of
the recent "pseudo-science" or "tabloid science" some of us saw in the
recent NBC show. Well..... what are we doing to help further the public
understanding of "true science?"  I would personally like to hear some
ideas about how I can further the cub scouts' interest in fossils. I'm a
new avocational paleontologist, or so I've been told. Once I found out
that meant I was a beginner fossil collector, I determined to learn as
much as I could in the limited time I have left. I will never be in a
position to dictate the fate of the various departments of the many
institutes of higher learning that many of you represent, but perhaps
some of "my" youth will. What can I do for them to ensure they
understand both the value of "true science" and the value of
paleontology? I am open to any and all ideas, either directly to me
daryl.fuller@bchydro.bc.ca , or if we can start a thread of "ideas
for/from children", then to the whole group.