The USGS EROS (Earth Resources Observation and Science) Image Gallery offers free downloads of high-resolution satellite images that will captivate students of all ages. The Tri-Decadal Global Landsat Orthorectified States collection combines satellite data with elevation data to produce spectacular images of each individual state. The Earth as Art collections offer satellite images chosen for their unique beauty. Paper copies of all these images can also be purchased through the USGS Store.

Participate in Earth Science Week 2009, "Understanding Climate," which will be observed throughout the country on October 11-17. Numerous resources for teachers, K-12 students, and university students are available. Download classroom activities, order an Earth Science Week toolkit, and learn about special contests. The USGS is a major contributor to this event, which is sponsored by the American Geological Institute.

Get your classroom ready for the new school year! Twelve popular USGS maps, posters, and booklets are now available at 30% off their regular low price during a "Back to School" sale at the USGS Store. The sale includes our most popular classroom map, This Dynamic Planet. (This sale is scheduled to last through the end of October, 2009).

Pre-order up to five free copies of a new map showing North American Land Cover. The printed wall map (42" x 36") shows 19 land cover (vegetation) categories based on 2005 satellite data. There are no shipping or handling charges. The USGS was a primary contributor to this map.

Go here to learn how the USGS studies land cover.

The major ideas and supporting concepts of Earth science that all citizens should know has recently been released by Earth Science Literacy Initiative (ESLI). This document was developed through support from the National Science Foundation and is a result of a year-long effort that brought together scientists from across the earth sciences. The document provides a summary of the major ideas in earth science for use by policy makers, educators, students and the general public. USGS Education hosted the initial planning meeting for this study and served on the steering committee throughout the report's development. A press release has also been issued.

Most of what is now the United States has experienced volcanic activity at some point in geologic history. Read about the volcanic past of each state, followed by a brief summary of the overall geologic history of the state. Find more state-based science through Science in Your Backyard

Enhance summer hikes by helping to keep invasive plants, animals, and diseases out of ecosystems where they don't belong. Volunteers are needed to record data about invasive kudzu, giant hogweed, yellow star thistle, snakehead fish, feral cats, and more. This is a great summer assignment for students! Find information at these USGS-sponsored sites:
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South
The Cactus Moth Monitoring and Detection Network
Purple Loosestrife Volunteers
Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Program
Maui County Report a Pest