North America’s First Geopark – Education & Communication in the Geopark

Jane Fullerton (*), Andrew Logan (**), Gail Bremner (**), Randall Miller (*) & Diane Buhay (***)
(*) New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, NB E2K 1E5 Canada. (**) Stonehammer Geopark, c/o 1 Market Square, Saint John, NB E2L 4Z6 Canada. (***) University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5.

Since joining the Global Geoparks Network in 2010, Stonehammer Geopark, New Brunswick, Canada has been piloting projects within select schools to determine the needs of students and educators related to enhancing earth science literacy. Within the geopark there are over 35 schools, over 25,000 students and more than 150 educators. A comprehensive and diverse education committee was established prior to Stonehammer joining the network. Through their dedication pilot projects were established and needs determined with engaged educators. Partnership is the cornerstone of Stonehammer's diverse activities. In its education efforts the geopark has developed a new partnership with Mining Matters, a charitable organization dedicated to bringing knowledge and awareness about Canada?s geology and mineral resources to students, educators and the general public. Stonehammer Geopark and Mining Matters will collaborate during the 2013-2014 school year to bring three deliverables to the education sector; a capacity building train-the-trainer session for in-classroom delivery beyond the partnership, a two-day teacher's workshop focusing on classroom activities and field visits, and two weeks of in-classroom activities for students and teachers hosted by Mining Matters and Stonehammer Geopark. This partnership provides a great opportunity for building local awareness of the geopark and its commitment to the community.

Education, Earth Science Literacy, Stonehammer Geopark