HR: 0830h
AN: ED51B-1190    [PDF]
TI: Earth Science World ImageBank (ESWIB): A Comprehensive Collection of Geoscience Images Being Developed by the American Geological Institute
AU: * Howe, A W
EM: awh@agiweb.org
AF: American Geological Institute, 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 United States
AU: Keane, C M
EM: cmk@agiweb.org
AF: American Geological Institute, 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 United States
AB: Although there are geoscience images available in numerous locations around the World Wide Web, there is no universal comprehensive digital archive where teachers, students, scientists, and the general public can gather images related to the Earth Sciences. To fill this need, the American Geological Institute (AGI) is developing the largest image database available: the Earth Science World ImageBank (ESWIB). The goal of ESWIB is to provide a variety of users with free access to high-quality geoscience images and technical art gathered from photographers, government organizations, and scientists. Each image is cataloged by location, author, image rights, and a detailed description of what the image shows. Additionally, images are cataloged using keywords from AGI's precise Georef indexing methodology. Students, teachers, and the general public can search or browse and download these images for use in slide show presentations, lectures, papers, or for other educational and outreach uses. This resource can be used for any age level, in any kind of educational venue. Users can also contribute images of their own to the database through the ESWIB website. AGI is scanning these images at a very high resolution (16 x 20 inches) and depending on the author's rights, is making high-resolution copies (digital or print) available for non-commercial and commercial purposes. This ImageBank is different from other photo sites available in that the scope has more breadth and depth than other image resources, and the images are cataloged with a very high grade of detail and precision, which makes finding needed images fast and easy. The image services offered by ESWIB are also unique, such as the low-cost commercial options and high quality image printouts. AGI plans on adding more features to ESWIB in the future, including connecting this resource to the up-coming online Glossary of Geology, a geospatial search option, using the images to make generic PowerPoint presentations that teachers can use and/or modify for their classes, lesson plans related to using the ImageBank, and a `photo of the day' section that will highlight a particular photo which stands out. AGI began work on this project in August of 2002 with the initial scanning and editing of images. ESWIB currently has over 1,300 images cataloged and searchable through the database homepage. In addition to the cataloged images, there are approximately 6,700 images waiting to be edited and cataloged, and over 10,000 images identified for submission at this point. AGI is constantly soliciting images in an attempt to expand the database. Through press releases, e-mail announcements, and our member societies, AGI publicized the launch of ESWIB in June of 2003. Since the launch, ESWIB has received over 300,000 image views as well as publicity in Space Daily, Russian and German news sites, various links through science websites, and most recently in Science Magazine's NetWatch section (August 29th, 2003).
UR: http://www.earthscienceworld.org/imagebank
DE: 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting