In the Department of Geology, Mr. Harvey Henson is available to coordinate earth science related outreach and community service activities. Part of his responsibilities include earthquake seismology and geology tours of the Department of Geology located in Parkinson Lab. Hundreds of visitors from throughout the southern Illinois region are accommodated each academic year. Tours and discussions often include explanations of rock, mineral, and fossil exhibits on display at Parkinson Lab, demonstrations of various research facilities, such as the Earthquake Observatory, hands-on demonstrations and experiments, and interactive computer demonstrations. Small groups and groups as large as 200 students frequent the department each year.
Visitors range in age from gifted kindergartners through senior citizens.
As Adjunct Currator of Geology for the University Museum, Mr. Henson can also arrange visits to the museum to see the Life Through Time paleontology exhibit. If you are interested in earthquake information, go to our New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake awareness and preparedness website. B.I.G. is an informal earth science education program for students in local junior and senior high schools. This unique mentoring program began in the fall of 1995 as an experimental extension to the normal outreach efforts of the Department of Geology on the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus. The B.I.G. program was developed by Harvey Henson a geophysicist with the Department of Geology.