Thursday, June 26, 2014

Geoscience in YOUR language!

The YES Network Communications Support Team is launching the initiative "Geoscience in YOUR language" to invite the YES membership world wide to share their geoscience experiences in their native languages. 

This initiative aims to break the language barrier and encourage young earth scientists around the world to communicate their science in their own languages. We believe it is crucial for the young and early career geoscientists to develop Geoscience Communications skills in their own language to help innovation and promotion of Geosciences in their respective countries. 



With a membership of more than 3000 members from more than 123 countries, the YES Network will dedicate a new page on the website and blog to publish chronicles of young earth scientists in their native languages. 
This initiative will be carried out with the help of the YES National Chapters who will participate in gathering and reviewing the items received. 

Articles, pictures and videos are welcome. So, we will be looking forward to receive your contributions!

Also interested in Geoscience Communications and would like to join the official YES Bloggers team? Write us at networkyes.communications@gmail.com.

Geoscientifically yours,

Amel Barich
YES Communications Support Team

Monday, June 23, 2014

The Mappt Agile Geodata Competition

Taking innovation into the field; Mappt announces the ‘Mappt Mobile GIS Activities Competition’ a program designed for you to innovate how Geomapping can be better used and managed in the field.







The Mappt Agile  Geodata Competition

Mappt in partnership with YES Network is inviting all members to innovate how geomapping data is used and managed in the field. We are seeking innovative ideas on how data, whether it is Geology, GIS or other, can be better captured and managed through the use of the Mappt application in the field.


 



Mappt is an agile data capture and management tool for field use built for Android devices. A video introduction providing an overview can be found on the Mappt Website at: http://www.mappt.com.au or click here for a direct link.We are seeking demonstrations and concepts of how Mappt can better inform, improve efficiencies or be used in interesting ways by Geo-Professionals while in the field. The winners of the best submission will receive a free copy of Mappt Professional edition for 1 year + discounted professional licensing renewal for the following year. 
Mappt can be used for:


  •  Create and edit data in the field
  • Add and edit notes and information with points, lines and polygons
  • Simple file based import / exporting of KML, KMZ and Shapefiles
  • Take all your existing satellite imagery, and maps offline with full ECW/JP2 support
  • Switch between map types
  • Use internal or Bluetooth GPS for location and tracking path creation
  • Use Geofences to create inclusion and exclusion zones
  • Internal measurement tools for distance, area etc.
  • Projection control (Geodetic and UTM)
  • Thematic mapping fucntionality



Mappt with YES Network will provide 10 full Professional licensed copies of Mappt for free throughout this competition. This is an opportunity to show how information collection while in the field can be improved and used in new ways.

Who can apply

The competition is aimed at the young geoscientists members of the YES (Young Earth Scientists) Network; so the competition is open to all young geoscientists (under 35 years of age). The Mappt development team encourages students, or any young researchers to develop innovative concepts and methods on how Geomapping data can be used within Mappt while in the field. We are looking for innovative uses of the functionality within Mappt to improve Geodata while in a disconnected environment.

Registering your application

The registration of the applications developed for this competition will be accepted until the end of July 2014. Please register your entry by emailing support@mappt.com.au and include the following information:
    Name
    Organization
    Email contact
    Country
    Title of your Mappt Concept
    The URL link to access the idea or a short summary (1 page document including pictures where relevant) outlining your proposed new idea of how Mappt can better manage or use geomapping data while in the field.

The selection procedure

A Mappt and YES Network selection board will be established to evaluate and decide on the winning concept or idea.

The winning prize

The winner of the competition will receive a Mappt Professional license for 1 year valued at over $1000.

About Mappt:

Mappt is an agile data capture and management tool used on Android tablet devices providing you flexibility and interoperability for your core Geodata. Using Mappt allows you to be in the field working with your information in a matter of hours. Its user friendly interface, smart functionality allows you to work with your corporate enterprise data while in a disconnected environment. Mappt on Android tablets provides you with the confidence of a robust application on a flexible hardware solution for all types of environments you work in. A low cost, high value solution that compliments your data management workflow. Download a free version of Mappt via the Google Play store: play.google.com. For more information about Mappt visit www.mappt.com.au. 

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Cairano (AV) – The Environmental Forum of the Apennines earns acclaim

Cairano (AV) – "Talk to defend ourselves". With this title the Workshop was held within the itinerary "Restart! Recover and Re-inhabit", organized by the active Environmental Forum of the Apennines, which is increasingly taking hold among civic committees, associations and citizens, especially of the Apennine hinterland. The venue of the training laboratory was Cairano, a country of just over 300 inhabitants that overlooks the Valley of the river Ofanto, in Alta Irpinia.
The choice of Cairano is not a coincidence. In fact, it falls into a cycle started in Volturara Irpina and Castelvetere sul Calore in order to highlight the areas of the hinterland, surrounded by nature and breathtaking scenery but at the same time increasingly mistreated, isolated, forgotten, abandoned to their fate and subject to a growing pollution that undermines the quality of life.
The aim of the Forum is without doubt worthy: the protection, defense, safeguarding and enhancement of inland areas. How? Starting to unite, forming working groups, driven by unity of purpose to find solutions to environmental problems. And the following of associations, civic committees and citizens greatly increases. Yesterday, between the bystanders there were both curious citizens who wanted to learn, both members of committees as "Protect Heat River", "United in the Valley" (Sele), "No Incinerator", all agree to take action even more, to join and to coping with common. Virginian Spiniello, President of "The Wanderer Tramp", in the network of Environmental Forum, stresses so decided: "The Forum is still an idea, we are launching proposals that must become concretely events. The goal is to be set up by autumn a study centre to pursue instances screened with the support of technical documentation. The aim is to interact and make environmental communication with citizens and committees so that they are the source and they are ready to transfer to citizenship information for greater environmental awareness".
Eduard Natale, new computer engineer and founder of the Committee "No oil in Upper Irpinia" which, after presenting "communication strategies on the web" during the Workshop, has repeated what Spiniello had just said: "It is important to create a network of organizations communicating with each other and then they implement an environmental communications plan". Oil exploration in seismic areas, construction of power lines, the exploitation of water sources, landfill and the indiscriminate dumping of waste in mountainous areas, pollution of reservoirs, like that of the Plain of the Dragon which provides water supply even to Puglia, are just some of the environmental problems in the territory. If to all this we add also the closure of small hospitals, law courts, schools, post offices, here is that depopulation grows out of proportion.
The internal areas of the Apennines, Irpinia and Cilento in Campania, in short, according to a planning not too esoteric, should be reused for new non-residential purposes. The path undertaken by the Environmental Forum is certainly difficult, arduous and fraught with obstacles but only by infusing, with patience and determination, an essential environmental awareness, it is possible to share from natural resources and the small villages of the Apennines.



Antonio D’Anna


Thursday, June 12, 2014

I UCA International Summer School "Studying by the sea". Come and join us!

The I UCA International Summer School (UCA – ISS) blends formative and cultural activities, and an international character, all offered in Southern Spain by the University of Cadiz (UCA) and the International Campus of Excellence of the Sea cei·mar. It has been conceived as a summer forum where members of academia from all over the world may participate with the society of southern Europe in the exchange of knowledge, traditions, languages and cultures.

The I UCA International Summer School offers a specific academic programme centred in the sea, organized by EIDEMAR, the International Doctoral School of cei·mar. cei·mar is a consortium of universities and research centres that covers all different aspects on marine studies:  education, research, innovation, culture, etc.

The Academic Programme is primarily oriented to undergraduate (sophomores and seniors) and graduate (master and Ph. D.) students and it is divided into two independent courses:

  • Course I. Coastal Management and Ocean Processes (from 3rd to 11th July)
    • Block I. - Beaches: Everything you always wanted to know about then but were afraid to ask.
    • Block II. – Ocean acidification and biomineralizarion.
  • Course II. Biological Marine Resources Programme (from 14rd to 18th July)
    • Block III. – The amazing world of seaweeds: An unforgettable journey from biology to gastronomy.
    • Block IV. – Aquaculture in Southern Europe: Basic and applied aspects.
Both courses count with the participation of national and international lecturers and researchers from different Spanish and international universities and research centres.

Besides, the UCA-ISS offers in parallel a full calendar of cultural and educational activities and events for students.

All the information about fees, registration, administrative details, cultural activities and other useful information can be found in the following websites:

Inscription Dates: From 5th June to 1st July.

Contact Person:
Patricia Jordán Grimaldi, Internationalization Technician, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea. International Relations Office, Edificio Constitución 1812. Paseo Carlos III, nº 3, 2ª planta. 11003 - Cádiz. Tel +34956015682, E-mail: iss.uca-ceimar@uca-es

If you think any person might be interested, please do not hesitate to forward this message.



“Studying by the sea. Come and join us!”
INSCRIPTION: From 5th June to 1st July

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Earth Science Week 2014 Contests Announced

 In celebration of Earth Science Week 2014, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is sponsoring three national contests honoring this year's theme, "Earth's Connected Systems." This year's competitions will feature a photography contest, a visual arts contest, and an essay contest.

Students, geoscientists, and the general public are invited to participate in this year's photography contest, "Connections in My Community." Entries must be composed of original, unpublished material, and show where you observe the dynamic interactions of earth systems in your community.

This year's visual arts contest, "Earth's Connected Systems and Me" is open to students in grades K-5. Scientists study, for example, how water shapes the land, how living things use air, and how air and water act on each other. How do such connected systems affect you? Use artwork to show how land, water, air, and
living things are connected in the world around you.

Finally, students in grades 6 through 9 may participate in the essay contest. This year's essays must address the idea of "Earth System Science in Today's World."

Submissions will be judged by a panel of geoscientists on creativity, relevance, and incorporation of the topic at hand. Selected winners will be awarded for their submissions.

For details, please visit 
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/

###

Earth Science Week 2014 will be celebrated October 12-18. To learn more, please visit 
http://www.earthsciweek.org/. To order your Toolkits, please visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/materials/. You may also call AGI Publications to place your order at 703-379-2480.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

European Young Earth Scientists Best Research Award

The YES Network announces the chance for young European geoscientists to be awarded for their research related to the themes of the sessions of 3rd YES Congress which will be held in Tanzania on 11-16th August 2014.


The first three young geoscientists with the most original and innovative researches in their respective fields will be awarded during the event and will receive a grant, sponsored by the EuroGeoSurvey, that will cover totally or partially the expenses of their participation in the 3rd YES Congress. 

-          First Award is $1500 
-          Second Award is $1000
-          Third Award is $500

To participate you need:
-          To be under 35 years old or early-career earth scientist.
-          To be resident in one of European Union countries.
-          To be a YES Network member (you can register also before the deadline of the challenge – www.networkyes.org).
-          To submit an abstract to one of the 6 sessions of the congress, for more information, please visit the website of the event:       http://www.yescongress.org/2014/oralsessions.html

The deadline of this challenge is the 20th June. Winners will be declared online on the YES Network website by the 30th June.


For more information and full announcement, please visit the YES website: http://www.networkyes.org/index.php?cID=278#News_Leadership

Sunday, June 1, 2014

GLAC Virtual Forum - Solutions for Barriers to Access to Application Services: Earth Observation, Capacity Building

The IAF GLAC (Global Applications Conference) in Paris will be hosting a Virtual Forum on June 3rd with the Global Earth Observations community to broadcast a high-level discussion on access to earth observations data, especially for the developing world.

Title of the Panel: Solutions for Barriers to Access to Application Services: Earth Observation, Capacity Building
Date: Tuesday June 3rd
Time: 14:00 – 15:30


The session will begin at 14:00 and will be Chaired by Mario Hernandez and Moderated by Brent Smith. Panelists include: 

Dr. Barbara Ryan , Director GEO Secretariat - https://www.earthobservations.org/ag_geosec_ss.shtml 

Dr. Sandile Malinga, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). 

Dr. Yasushi Horikawa President, Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and former Executive Director, Space Applications Mission Directorate, JAXA 

Mr. Mark Noort, EOPOWER (Earth Observation for Economic Empowerment) - http://www.eopower.eu/ 

Dr. Ray Williamson, former President of Secure World Foundation - http://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/dr-ray-williamson/ 

Young professionals who cannot travel can participate in this conference by listening to the panel and asking questions remotely. We want to open these rich discussions to the next generation of space leaders. These virtual events bring insight and knowledge to a broad community

More information: http://goo.gl/nPbvDo