Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center observes Earth Science Week Oct. 8-14

In observance of Earth Science Week Oct. 8-14, the Missouri Geological Survey is partnering with the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem. As part of the center’s month-long exhibit on mining and geology, select items from MGS’s Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology in Rolla will be on display.

Beginning during Earth Science Week, 50 free educational toolkits, donated by the American Geosciences Institute, will be available for educators at the center. Each toolkit includes maps, posters, lesson plans and booklets on Earth Science issues for K-12 students.

“Mastering a knowledge of Earth Science issues and sharing what we learn is foundational to the mission of the Missouri Geological Survey,” said Missouri State Geologist and MGS Director Carey Bridges. “This Earth Science Week, we encourage students, teachers and everyone else to visit the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center to learn more about Missouri’s amazing geology and the importance of its mining industry. The Earth Science toolkits are a wonderful resource for educators and include enough materials for learning beyond just a single week.”

Several special events are planned for the center’s geology exhibit. They include a 10 a.m. Oct. 7 presentation from Donna Arthur, Missouri S&T student recruitment specialist for the Mines and Metallurgy Academy. At 10 a.m. Oct. 14, there will be a lecture on mining from Bob Hemmann, an exploration geologist with the Doe Run Company. A 6 p.m. presentation on maple syrup in Missouri will also be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 14.

“Thank you to the Missouri Geological Survey for helping make this exhibit possible,” said Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center exhibits coordinator Liz Condray. “We are excited to bring these educational opportunities to the region and look forward to new ways to connect people to Earth Science topics. We welcome visitors and field trips if any schools are interested in coming.”

The geology exhibit will be the first for the center since the full-building Current River mural was completed by Columbia artist David Spear. A special Current River mural celebration and open house will be held at the center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21. The day’s agenda includes a geode-cracking with Jason Stotler starting at 10 a.m. and recognition of the mural’s official completion at 1 p.m., plus music and other special activities throughout the day.

“The mural has generated a lot of attention and interest for us,” said Sarah Massengale, a member of the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center’s planning committee. “There have been a lot more visitors since it was completed. The new mural is really going to open up more chances for us to provide information on Missouri’s natural resources and the Ozarks’ unique culture for residents and tourists.”

The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is located at 202 S. Main St. in Salem. It’s regularly open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. During its geology exhibit in October, it will also be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information on the Salem’s ONCRC and its geology exhibit, visit its Facebook page @SalemONCRC, email oncrc@salemcommunitybetterment.com or call 573-729-0029.