In cooperation with the MichSeis program at the University of Michigan, we have established UPSeis, (Upper Peninsula Seismology experiments in schools), operating semi-mobile seismograph stations in schools in the small towns and rural areas of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. (Support for purchase of equipment has come from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Foundation.)

These seismograph stations typically operate in any one school for about 8 weeks, long enough to record at least a few global events of interest. The noise level varies from school to school, because the entire system sits in the classroom, and is subject to large amounts of cultural noise. But earthquakes around the world are always recorded, demonstrating to the students that they, and not just remote scientists in big cities, can take part in the scientific adventure of discovery about the earth we live in.

Depending on the ages of the students participating, the exercises developed for them vary (based entirely on the earthquakes recorded in their classroom). They locate the earthquakes on a globe using USGS-determined epicentral locations (this is often the first time that they realize there is some reason to understand latitude and longitude). They learn about great circle paths using a piece of string. They identify prominent seismic phases. If they have mastered logarithms, they calculate the earthquake's magnitude; if not, we provide a graph for them to use (often a first, as well).

Many of the students participating in these programs have never been to a museum, never met a scientist, and may have very little knowledge of the world outside their community. This program exposes them not just to geology or geophysics, but to other applications of things they have learned in school, and provides them with a chance to interact with scientists (professors and college student volunteers) and to learn about the world at large.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90937©1998 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah