NEW GEOSCIENCE FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS

Provincial funding of $18,000 for two new geoscience projects will encourage future geoscientists.

The University of Regina will receive $10,000 and the Saskatchewan Geological Society will receive $8,000 as part of the province's commitment to the Geoscience Research and Student Training Program. This program began two years ago as part of the province's plan to develop and encourage geoscience expertise in Saskatchewan.

"Investment in geoscience research is part of our continuing strong commitment to nurture our oil, gas and mining sectors that are helping to build our wide open future," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "These two projects are important in fostering the interest of young geoscientists in the province. Funding to the Saskatchewan Geological Society will provide teachers and students with a range of information about our provincial resources and geology that is expected to encourage interest in geosciences in the province."

The university will document the physical and chemical characteristics of coal in the western part of the province, as a potential coal-bed methane source and carbon dioxide sequestration site. Injecting carbon dioxide into the province's many deeply buried coal seams is one step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding to the Saskatchewan Geological Society provides educational resources to K-12 schools in the province. The funds will be used to produce posters that will show Saskatchewan's wide range of scenery, land-usage, petroleum and mining industries, and the historical development of the province's hills, valleys and plains.

In the next phase of the two-year project, the society will work with industry partners and teachers to produce a CD and other multimedia resources for use in the province's classrooms.

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277