Throughout the American Midwest—beneath the grassy fields of Iowa and the steel towers of Chicago—is found a rich geologic history. Great lakes and glacial moraines tell of a land that was once covered by massive glaciers. Fossils and coal tell of great tropical forests that stretched across Illinois during the Pennsylvanian Period. And shells of brachiopods and trilobites tell of a vast shallow sea that once covered Ohio during the Ordovician Period. Together, these stories tell the amazing story of our planet’s ancient past.

Coming in Winter 2010, the Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Midwestern United States will serve both formal and informal educators with a “go-to” reference that will provide a comprehensive overview of the area’s history and features, answering the question: Why does this place look the way it does? Standard textbooks make few references to the geology of any one area because of their nationwide audiences, and popular geology literature concentrates on a particular state, often failing to show how local geology fits into a regional context. The Teacher-Friendly Guide will fill this need. Intended as a curriculum supplement, the guide will provide educators with the content and tools necessary to introduce local and regional Earth system science into their classrooms. Although targeted for 8-9th grade Earth science teachers, the guides are appropriate for anyone who incorporates Earth science into their curriculum, from elementary school through college.