100 Years of Science
Fueling 100 Years of Prosperity

Join the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) as it celebrates 100 Years of Science! In association with the 2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, the AAPG Foundation is generously sponsoring a suite of activities and events designed specifically for middle-school, high-school, and community college faculty.

Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis for actively employed middle- and high-school teachers and community college faculty teaching Earth Science, or subjects related to or involving Earth Science. Science Coordinators and Directors, and students enrolled in pre-service programs for middle- and high-school science, technology, engineering, and math, who are interested in Earth Science teaching, also are encouraged to attend.

Educators from grade levels or disciplines not specified will be placed on a waiting list and contacted as space is available. Unfortunately, participation by additional friends and/or family members cannot be accommodated on the field trips or for the convention activities.

Convention Activities are at capacity; please note your preferences to be placed on the Waiting List.


Field Trip Option 1

Ground Penetrating Radar Field Trip (8:00 am-5:00 pm).

Join Dr. Shuhab Khan of the University of Houston to learn how Ground Penetrating Radar is used to answer questions ranging from geology to archaeology to city planning. Start with a visit to the University of Houston Campus and then journey to several active field sites to see GPR in action. Collect and interpret GPR data in real time with geoscientists.

Limit: 20 participants.

Field Trip Option 2

Morphology and Sedimentology of Panther Creek, Montgomery County Field Trip (8:00 am-2:00 pm).

Tucked away just south of The Woodlands, Texas is the Montgomery County Preserve - a greenway that holds a natural laboratory to explore a meandering creek system. Join Dr. Erik Scott of E&P Geoscience, LLC, to investigate numerous features of the creeks and interact with the processes that form and continually modify them. Participants will experience the dynamic nature of river systems and expand their understanding of river processes with a visit.

Limit: 24 participants.

Both field trips will integrate science knowledge and skills, including: using scientific inquiry and a variety of tools and technology methods to conduct field investigations; applying critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to form hypotheses, make interpretations, and draw conclusions; analyzing data to formulate explanations; communicating conclusions and predicting trends; exploring careers and collaboration among scientists; and understanding that science is a human endeavor. Participants will: analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas; interpret Earth surface features using a variety of methods such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, and topographic and geologic maps; apply relative dating methods to determine chronological order; and evaluate the impact of changes in Earth's subsystems on humans and the impact of humans on Earth's subsystems. Participants will be encouraged to discuss ideas for integrating content into the classroom.

Convention Activities are at capacity; please note your preferences to be placed on the Waiting List.


Participate in an Educator Symposium featuring several short sessions led by teams of industry professionals and educators (9:00 am to 3:45 pm). Limit: 60 participants. Sessions include:

Careers: A Path for Students to a Geosciences Paycheck - (Cancelled)

What are the technology, communication, science, and engineering skills and educational background that can lead to a job – directly or indirectly - in the geosciences and petroleum industry for your students? What other skills, such as critical thinking, spatial reasoning, peer interaction, perseverance, and curiosity will help students pursue and advance in their career? How can students with different educational experiences participate? Explore possibilities and ask questions of individuals from a broad array of backgrounds involved in geosciences.

Format: Panel discussion.
Intended audience: All.

Roving Robots and Extreme Machines, New Frontiers of Earth Exploration

Learn how unmanned vehicles – from aerial drones to underwater robots – are aiding exploration of our Earth and revealing geoscience secrets.

Format: Presentation, discussion and hands-on activities.
Intended audience: Middle-school educators.

Seeking Oil and Gas in 2017 and Beyond

In the next two decades, where will we find oil and what technology will we use to access it? How is the industry increasing its efficiency in locating and extracting resources while also reducing its environmental impact?

Format: Presentation, discussion and hands-on activities.
Intended audience: High-school educators.

Why Seismic Matters in Our Hunt for Resources

Learn how seismic exploration helps identify oil, natural gas, and minerals below the Earth’s surface.

Format: Presentation, discussion and hands-on activities.
Intended audience: Middle- to high-school educators.

A Changing World for Petroleum

What is the role of petroleum in a diversified energy economy? How is the petroleum industry responding to political, cultural, economic, and environmental challenges?

Format: Presentation and discussion.
Intended audience: All.

Participants attending the Symposium Sessions will explore: the nature and process of science; careers that involve the exploration, extraction, production, use, and disposal of Earth's resources; how the use of energy resources affects Earth's subsystems; the formation of fossil fuels; renewable and nonrenewable resources; and the economics of resources from discovery to disposal, including technological advances, resource type, concentration and location, waste disposal and recycling, and environmental costs.

Take a Walking Tour of the Geology and Architecture of Houston’s Downtown Buildings (4:00 to 6:00 pm)

Bring your sneakers! Geology is prominently displayed and described on this walking tour with geoscience professionals that explores the natural building materials – as well as the architectural elements – of the buildings of Downtown Houston.

Limit: 60 participants.

Attend the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition Opening Reception (5:30-8:30 pm)

Explore exhibit hall booths and see the latest in petroleum industry information and technology. Interact with representatives from industry, organizations, and universities. Preference for complimentary opening reception registration will be given to teachers attending the Symposium.

Limit: 60 participants.

Convention Activities are at capacity; please note your preferences to be placed on the Waiting List.

Visit the 2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition (8:00 am – 5:00 pm). Explore exhibit hall booths and see the latest in petroleum industry information and technology. Interact with representatives from industry, organizations, and universities. View posters and/or attend meeting sessions to listen to 15-minute technical presentations on cutting-edge industry topics for professional audiences.

Enjoy the All-Conference Luncheon on Monday, April 3, 2017 by joining a table of 8 – 10 industry professionals. During lunch, attendees will hear presentations, including the awarding of the AAPG Foundation Teacher of the Year. Cost to participants to attend: $65.

Partner up with an Industry Professional to more effectively navigate a portion of the 2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Connect with an industry professional to learn more about geosciences, careers, and technology. Explore how you can bring more geoscience into your classroom and build lasting relationships with professionals in the field. Attendees will identify preferred times in the online Educator Program Registration.

Take a Walking Tour of the Geology and Architecture of Houston’s Downtown Buildings (1:30-3:30; time subject to change). Bring your sneakers! Geology is prominently displayed and described on this walking tour with geoscience professionals that explores the natural building materials – as well as the architectural elements – of the buildings of Downtown Houston. - (CANCELLED)

Want to make a lasting mark on the next generation of industry professionals while attending the 2017 AAPG ACE? Consider becoming a Meeting Partner for a middle-school, high-school, or community college teacher!

For the 100th Anniversary of AAPG, a new program is being initiated to help teacher attendees navigate the ACE activities and to build stronger connections between industry professionals (you!) and schools.

We are looking for industry professionals who are willing to partner with a teacher at the meeting for a short time to answer questions, translate current industry research, talk about careers, and share ideas for bringing geoscience into the classroom.

Is this you? Then volunteer to meet with a teacher one-on-one at the convention, host a teacher for part of a day at ACE, or examine ways you can work with a teacher to support student learning into the future.

Please take 5 to 10 minutes to complete this brief volunteer survey to help make the best match with a classroom teacher: Take The Survey.

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Questions? Please contact:
Stephanie Shipp
Co-Chair, 2017 AAPG Earth Science Educator Program Committee
Amanda Guzofski Co-Chair, 2017 AAPG Earth Science Educator Program Committee