Outreach
Exhibits
Digital exhibits and 3D tours
- Indiana's Limestone Campus: Virtual guide to 40 limestone buildings and unique carvings on the IU Bloomington campus.
- Curiosity Cabinets: Revitalizing the Cabinet of Curiosity for the 21st century with the IGWS Learning Lab: Discover the rocks, minerals, fossils, speleothems, hydrocarbon resources, unconsolidated sediment, and building stones housed in the Learning Lab through this StoryMap published in the Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences.
- Learning Lab 3D tour: Walk through the IGWS Learning Lab, an experiential learning center that was located in the IU Geology Building.
- Resurrecting Megajeff: Uncovering the Hidden History of IU's Lost Megalonyx jeffersonii: "Megajeff" is a nearly complete skeleton of a Megalonyx jeffersonii giant ground sloth that once was part of the natural history collections at Indiana University. Surviving fossilization, railroad transport, and fire, the specimen was ultimately destroyed due to a lack of understanding of the importance of natural history collections. This digital exhibit was supported by the IU Office of the Bicentennial.
- Indiana's Hindostan Whetstone Industry: Hindostan whetstone is a thinly layered siltstone that was quarried in southern Indiana throughout the 19th and 20th centuries for use as sharpening stones and grave markers. Explore Indiana's oldest mineral industry and view an interactive map of whetstone grave markers in the state.
- Landmarks in Indiana Geology–A Timeline: Read about noteworthy events, scientists, places, publications, buildings, and industries that are part of Indiana's geological legacy. This exhibit was supported by the IU Office of the Bicentennial.
- Glacial Features of Indiana: Indiana has experienced several glaciations in the past 2.6 million years. Learn about the state's glacial history and tour a 3D map of glacial landforms across Indiana.
- Indiana Limestone: Indiana limestone is a world-class dimension stone quarried exclusively in south-central Indiana. Learn about the geologic and cultural history of the stone that built a nation.
Past Exhibits
Mulyana: Vital Ecosystems: IGWS coral fossil specimens were featured in this exhibit at the Eskenazi Museum of Art.
Student-curated: Map Making Before the Digital Age: How did draftsmen make maps before computers? Discover the artistry and precision on cartography before the digital age. This exhibit was curated by Julia Ritter, a curatorship graduate student at IU Bloomington. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
Indiana's First Residents: IGWS's Megalonyx jeffersonii sculpture "Megajeff" was featured in this exhibit at the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Indiana's First Residents: IGWS's Megalonyx jeffersonii sculpture "Megajeff" was featured in this exhibit at the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Critical Minerals: What do graphite, arsenic, and ytterbium have in common? You have probably interacted with each of them today. They may be even in your pockets. Learn about the critical minerals that are essential to economic prosperity and national security. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
Natural Beauty: From talc in eyeshadows to petrolatum in lipsticks, the ingredients list on your makeup might read as a who's-who of geology. Explore the clays, rocks, and minerals used in cosmetics.
Natural Beauty: From talc in eyeshadows to petrolatum in lipsticks, the ingredients list on your makeup might read as a who's-who of geology. Explore the clays, rocks, and minerals used in cosmetics.
Meet the Megafauna: The American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) was designated Indiana's state fossil in 2022. Explore fossil bones and see how you size up against Ice Age megafauna. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
Student-curated: Mineral Identification: See minerals from our collections and learn how to identify them using their physical and chemical properties. This exhibit was created by Adele Novak, a senior high school student at Harmony School. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
Take a Bite Out of Science: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by IU Collections at the McCalla School, which explored the variety of tooth-related collections from IU campuses. It was archived with a digital exhibit and 3D tour.
Student-curated: Mineral Identification: See minerals from our collections and learn how to identify them using their physical and chemical properties. This exhibit was created by Adele Novak, a senior high school student at Harmony School. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
Take a Bite Out of Science: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by IU Collections at the McCalla School, which explored the variety of tooth-related collections from IU campuses. It was archived with a digital exhibit and 3D tour.
The Megajeff Story: Explore the history of IU's lost Jefferson's ground sloth and the importance of natural history collections. This exhibit was hosted at the McCalla School in partnership with IU Collections. It was archived with a digital exhibit and 3D tour.
eARTh: The Art of Earth Science: The natural world has always been depicted in art form. Learn about the Survey's history of scientific illustration and view original works of art from the Survey's collections. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Student-curated: Indiana Water Balance Network: Read about the research of the Indiana Water Balance Network, created by Addie Jenkinson, a geography and environmental geosciences major at the University of Florida. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
eARTh: The Art of Earth Science: The natural world has always been depicted in art form. Learn about the Survey's history of scientific illustration and view original works of art from the Survey's collections. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Student-curated: Indiana Water Balance Network: Read about the research of the Indiana Water Balance Network, created by Addie Jenkinson, a geography and environmental geosciences major at the University of Florida. Photographs of the exhibit are available here.
State of Nature: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by Betsy Stirratt and Roger Hangarter, which explored the importance of Indiana's biological diversity through pieces from the natural world and artworks created by artists with Indiana connections. The exhibit was hosted at the Indiana State Museum in partnership with the Grunwald Gallery of Art and Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
ShakeIN: Earthquakes in the Hoosier State: Learn about Indiana's earthquake hazards and risks and plan how you can prepare. This exhibit was supported by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Student-curated: Minerals of Vermeer's Officer and Laughing Girl: Read an in-depth analysis of the minerals used in historical paint pigments by Keaton Clulow, a fine arts management student at IU Bloomington. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
ShakeIN: Earthquakes in the Hoosier State: Learn about Indiana's earthquake hazards and risks and plan how you can prepare. This exhibit was supported by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Student-curated: Minerals of Vermeer's Officer and Laughing Girl: Read an in-depth analysis of the minerals used in historical paint pigments by Keaton Clulow, a fine arts management student at IU Bloomington. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Resurrecting Megajeff: Uncovering the Hidden History of IU's Lost Megalonyx jeffersonii: Discover the history of Indiana University's earliest natural history collections through the eyes of "Megajeff," a reconstructed ground sloth skeleton. This exhibit was hosted at IU Franklin Hall in partnership with the Office of the Bicentennial. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
State of Nature: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by Betsy Stirratt and Roger Hangarter, which explored Indiana's biodiversity with historically significant natural artifacts and visual art. This exhibit was hosted at the IU Grunwald Gallery in partnership with the Grunwald Gallery of Art and was archived with a 3D tour.
Tales from the Owen Cabinet: Uncover historical objects and fossils associated with Indiana's first state geologist, David Dale Owen.
State of Nature: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by Betsy Stirratt and Roger Hangarter, which explored Indiana's biodiversity with historically significant natural artifacts and visual art. This exhibit was hosted at the IU Grunwald Gallery in partnership with the Grunwald Gallery of Art and was archived with a 3D tour.
Tales from the Owen Cabinet: Uncover historical objects and fossils associated with Indiana's first state geologist, David Dale Owen.
(Un)Earthed: Objects from the IGWS Collections: Research, conservation, policy: Collections help inform them all. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Mineral Rainbow: Minerals come in every color and hue. From the soft baby blue of celestite to the fiery red of cinnabar, the Earth is formed out of an incredible palette of mineral colors. Which is your favorite? Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Research Spotlight: Mitchell Plateau: See equipment and monitoring tools used to study groundwater geochemistry in the Mitchell Plateau.
800 Seasons of Change: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by the IU Mathers Museum, which reflected on change and continuity in the Bloomington community from 1818 to 2018. The exhibit was archived with a 3D tour.
Mineral Rainbow: Minerals come in every color and hue. From the soft baby blue of celestite to the fiery red of cinnabar, the Earth is formed out of an incredible palette of mineral colors. Which is your favorite? Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Research Spotlight: Mitchell Plateau: See equipment and monitoring tools used to study groundwater geochemistry in the Mitchell Plateau.
800 Seasons of Change: Objects from IGWS collections were featured in this exhibit by the IU Mathers Museum, which reflected on change and continuity in the Bloomington community from 1818 to 2018. The exhibit was archived with a 3D tour.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs, modern photographs, and carved limestone art pieces. This exhibit was hosted at IU Scholars Commons in Wells Library. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs. This exhibit was hosted at the Bedford Depot in celebration of Limestone Month. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs. This exhibit was hosted at the Bedford Depot in celebration of Limestone Month. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Indiana Geology: Rocks tell a story. Learn about Indiana's geologic history through fossil evidence.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs. This exhibit was hosted at the Fountain Square Mall in celebration of Limestone Month. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs. This exhibit was hosted at the Fountain Square Mall in celebration of Limestone Month. Photos of the exhibit are available here.
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection: Explore the timeless beauty and widespread use of Indiana's state stone through a gallery of historic photographs. This exhibit was hosted at the Monroe County History Center in celebration of Limestone Month.