Our Goal: No Geologist Left Behind
By RICK FRITZ
In his first EXPLORER column in July, AAPG President John Lorenz noted that his
focus this year will be on “advancing the science.”
It’s an important message and a key goal for all of AAPG – we know if we can provide the best science possible, then professionals and
students will want to join AAPG and contribute.
As part of the focus on providing the best science, AAPG is reviewing all of our
products and services against the needs of the membership.
For example, we are upgrading AAPG’s professional development program through its new Education Directorate. Susan
Nash, AAPG’s education and professional development director, is working with the Education
Committee, Research Committee and the Divisions to build a comprehensive
program. The membership of the committees and Divisions provide key resources
and guidance for staff to build AAPG’s education program. Read Susan Nash's blog - Learn!
The following is a list of educational offerings for this new fiscal year:
- Fall Education Conference: This year’s theme is “The Business of Oil and Gas.” It will provide strong offerings of courses designed to help you succeed in
quickly changing environments.
- Spring Education Conference: The 2010 theme is Unconventional Resources. With four concurrent tracks and
courses spread over five days, you have an opportunity to mix and match to meet
your needs in shale gas, coalbed methane, resource plays and more.
- New short courses: Educational offerings are designed for both new and experienced geoscientists.
- New course content focuses on science and technology, with practical
applications. New “Getting Started” courses include petroleum geoscience, salt tectonics and more. Courses range
from one to five days with various cost levels to provide affordable
alternatives.
- Please check out our online courses as well as our traditional classroom
settings – online courses are an affordable, convenient way for you to obtain education
when and where you need it.
- e-Symposium series: This is an affordable and convenient new delivery format, great for getting
started or expanding your knowledge.
- Each e-Symposium course includes a one-hour live interactive webinar combined
with a full day of independent study materials, which can be accessed any time,
any place. The webinar’s archived version also is available after the event, so if you miss the live
event, you can access it later. You also can sign up for the archived event
after the fact.
- Forthcoming topics include 3-D seismic of shale plays, integrated geothermal
operations, thermogenic gas, and carbon capture and sequestration, plus new
courses on renewable energy such as wind farm operations.
- (Remember, if you miss it, you may always sign up for the archived version.)
- Geoscience Technology Workshops: AAPG’s new GTW program is designed to provide quick-to-market information on hot
topics. The format is exciting and dynamic, with an emphasis on sharing
real-life experience, case studies, “lessons learned” and new directions.
- Several GTW’s are planned for the coming year, including those on reserves reporting,
unconventional resources and carbon capture and sequestration.
- Renewable energy: Stay tuned as we launch new courses, seminars and online certificate programs
in renewable energy. Our goal is to provide you up-to-date and relevant
education on wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and integrated
renewable/non-renewable solutions.
- Empower yourself with knowledge in this dynamic, quickly evolving area.
- Hedberg Research Conference: This season’s first Hedberg Conference will be held on Aug. 16-19 in Vancouver, Canada,
titled “Carbon Capture and Sequestration.” A second Hedberg is planned on deepwater fold belts on Oct. 4-9, in Tirrenia,
Italy.
- Hedbergs often are followed by GTWs on similar topics. More Hedbergs are in the
planning stage, so watch the calendar for new offerings.
One of the keys to AAPG’s success in building this new professional development program is to find key
research – especially cutting-edge research – that can be used to educate AAPG membership and other professionals. To that
end, we need more volunteers who are willing to advance the science by sharing
their knowledge.
Interested?
If so, please
contact Susan Nash
– she’ll be glad to discuss possibilities and connect you with the right committees.
I know it is hard to find time to invest in professional education when times
are good, because you’re busy – and when times are slower, it is difficult because of the economics.
AAPG’s courses are affordable and good quality.
Take another look. Now is the time to invest in yourself, to expand your skill
sets and knowledge base for your future success.
Richard D. "Rick" Fritz, an AAPG member since 1984 and a member of the Division of Environmental Geosciences and the Division of Professional Affairs, has been AAPG Executive Director since 1999.