At field sites in Montana and Idaho, you will examine the effects of planetary events like catastrophic flooding, volcanic eruption, sedimentation, glaciation, and earthquake faulting.

In the classroom at Missoula, Montana, we will help tie your field experiences to the geology of Mars (and other planets) through talks by planetary scientists and discussions between you and them. We will share proven, hands-on, standards-based classroom and laboratory activities for your students.

Our field/classroom format will give you the personal experience and the knowledge base to teach about Mars and other planets in new, effective ways. See for yourself — Explore the Web sites of our last two workshops: Extremities (Geology and Astrobiology of Yellowstone National Park), and the The Great Desert (Geology and Life on Mars and in the Southwest).

Pre-service teachers, school librarians, informal educators, early college instructors, and junior college instructors are welcome!

Invigorate your classroom curriculum!  Participants from previous workshops have been enthusiastic about the workshop and materials. Most teachers report that their curriculum is energized with new ideas, activities, materials, and images.

Participants will receive 60 hours of professional development credit.

Saturday, July 10 —   "Icebreaker" (with introductions and overview) at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday and Monday, July 11–12 —  Field explorations (by bus) will focus on ancient glacial lake Missoula — the glaciers that formed it, the sediments in it, and the catastrophic floods that emptied it. Classroom activities and resources about floods and lake sediments on Mars support the field work.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 13–15 —  Field explorations (by bus) ranging into Idaho will encompass volcanic processes of the Snake River Plain and Craters of the Moon National Monument, pre-Cambrian-age lake sediments, and mountain-building processes. Lodging will be at Arco and Idaho Falls (Idaho) on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, respectively.

Friday and Saturday, July 16–17 —  Lab and classroom discussions and excercises will take place at the University of Montana, Missoula. We will compare features and processes observed in the field with those on Mars, and will explore ways to bring the processes and the content information behind them into the classroom. We will connect with NASA Mars missions and with the hunt for life on Mars. Following your evaluation of the workshop, we will close around 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Note:  There will be several short hikes in hot weather. Participants should be prepared to participate in these conditions.

Registration is limited to 30 teachers. The application process will remain open until all participant slots are filled.

The registration fee is $625.00 per person and is due within two weeks of acceptance. Registration includes transportation during the workshop, lodging (double occupancy), meals, and classroom materials.

Participants are responsible for travel to and from the workshop and for snacks beyond the provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Assistance in funding participation can be sought from school districts, professional development organizations, NASA's Space Grant Consortium, and members of NASA's Office of Space Science Support Network in your region.