We believe EDUCATION is essential to attaining the appropriate and widespread use of geosynthetics as engineering materials. IGS-NA is dedicated to expanding the use of geosynthetics through education. To achieve this the IGS-NA is actively: training future users of geosynthetics, training geosynthetic educators, and promoting geosynthetics as part of engineering curricula.
To facilitate these educational goals we have two exciting programs:
Educate the Educators | A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors
December 2017, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
We know that many undergraduate engineering programs completely lack geosynthetic instruction, often instructors may not have the knowledge, confidence or materials to effectively teach geosynthetics. In order to address this the IGS-NA offers Educate the Educators (EtE), a 2-day, funded program for University professors. EtE provides specialized, hands-on training and lecture materials to equip attending Professors with the tools they need offer effective geosynthetics course work in their engineering programs. Attending professors receive instruction, course materials (including power point presentations, hand outs and sample binders) and have continued access to the instructors as they develop their own programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Building on the success of EtE Austin, held in 2015, participants will receive training and educational material on the fundamentals of geosynthetics as well as exposure to the state-of-knowledge on geosynthetics in reinforcement and environmental applications. This year approximately 35 Student-Professors will attend our second EtE event, to be held in Kingston, ON in December of 2017.
We are very excited to have four exceptional educators and pioneering researchers as the EtE lead instructors: R. Kerry Rowe (Queen’s University), Richard J. Bathurst (Royal Military College of Canada) Richard Brachman (Queens University) and Jorge Zornberg (University of Texas Austin).
Educate the Students | A Guest Lecture Series for University Students
2017-18 School Year, on location as arranged
Educate the Educators is only part of the long-term strategy to train “future users” of geosynthetics. We also want to directly Educate the Students (EtS) by offer engaging and effective geosynthetic lectures which will immediately impact engineers-in-training. Lectures will be tailored to need of each program, and topics may range from fundamental to sophisticated. Particular focus will be made on large engineering schools. IGS-NA will support the development of the content and the costs associated with the transportation of the professors to/from the guest lectures.
In 2015 we hosted 45 EtE Student-Professors in August of 2016 we surveyed those professors, this is what we found…
40% of 2015 EtE Attendees’ University Programs contained NO Geosynthetic Content what so ever of those surveyed, 87% of those professors responded with a plan to incorporate the EtE programming at their institution.
Of those …
Of the 60% of the attendees whose course work already included some mention of geosynthetics 82% indicated that based on the EtE an increase in the geosynthetics content was incorporated for the 2015-16 academic year!
The budget for these two programs is $80,000 US. The IGS-NA is offering sponsorship programs in order to fund both projects. IGS-NA is seeking sponsors. If you or your company would like to consider supporting long-term quality growth of geosynthetics usage through sponsorship of either or both of these programs. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. Sponsorships available.
Thank you Current Sponsors!
Gold Sponsor $20,000 USD
Silver Sponsor $10,000 USD
Bronze Sponsor $ 5,000 USD
If you are interested in sponsorship or have additional questions please contact John Henderson, J.Henderson@TenCate.com< or call +1.706 693 1836.
Too many engineers enter the field without state-of-the-art geotechnical knowledge, because their formal schooling overlooks a key piece of modern practice: geosynthetics.
Let the geosynthetics community provide resources to teach your students about geosynthetics.
Geosynthetics were the only new class of construction materials developed in the 20th century. Over the past 40 years, they have become fully integrated into all areas of environmental and civil infrastructure design and execution. Their cost-effective, environmentally strong performance has been well documented. In some cases, federal regulations even require their use (e.g., waste management). Today, every major engineering firm has designated geosynthetic experts on staff. Yet, geosynthetics are taught in less than 45 engineering programs in North American colleges and universities. This has produced an enormous knowledge gap.
Multiple geotechnical and geosynthetics professional societies and organizations are joining together to sponsor a geosynthetics education program specific to supporting educators. “Educate the Educators: A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors” will be held 28 – 29 July 2015 in Austin, Texas. This program will provide core geosynthetic content, background information, and materials for use in the classroom so that participants may include geosynthetics in their engineering curricula. The event presents a single 50-minute class on geosynthetics for the undergraduate level; but it also provides a framework for additional class content and resources up to and including a graduate-level class on geosynthetics.
Please apply on line at: http://www.ifai.com/forms/educatetheeducators
The sessions will be led by Dr. Richard Brachman of Queen’s University, Dr. Jorge Zornberg of The University of Texas at Austin, and field veteran Barry Christopher.
This is a non-commercial event being conducted under the auspices of the IGS North America and created by the International Geosynthetics Society , and supported by the Geosynthetic Institute, the Geosynthetic Materials Association, and other industry groups and companies.
There are approximately 40 seats in the course. Successful applicants will be provided with hotel, meals, and transportation in Austin. Successful applicants will need only to fund their travel to Austin.
When: 28 – 29 July 2015 Where: Austin, Texas
In applying for participation, please include:
Applicants will be notified of their enrollment status during the second week in June. Priority will be given to those individuals judged to have influence over the content of the programs at their respective institutions.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATEPlease apply today. We encourage you to spread the word on this program to your colleagues in education. Spaces are limited, so act promptly. Please contact me using the information below if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Boyd Ramsey
Chief Engineer – GSE Environmental LLC
GMA Chairman
IGS Council Member
Co-Chair IGS Technical Committee on Barriers
Co-Chair IGS North America Educate the Educators Program
+1.281.797.6183
Why are your students, students from your alma mater and other Universities you hire from not graduating with knowledge of the “state of the art” of geotechnical engineering practices?
Let the geosynthetics industry teach you how to teach your students about geosynthetics.
Geosynthetics are the newest addition to “state of the art” engineering design and execution. Used for over 30 years, geosynthetics are critical to environmental and infrastructure civil construction. Geosynthetics are cost-effective, environmentally friendly and in many cases required by federal US regulations. Every major engineering firm has designated geosynthetic experts on staff.
Yet geosynthetics are taught in less than 45 engineering programs within the universities in the North America.
All of the geosynthetic industry societies and organizations are joining to sponsor a program to provide content and knowledge for geosynthetic education. Called “Educate the Educators: A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors.” It will be held in July 2015 in Austin, Texas. This program will provide content, materials and background to include geosynthetics in your universities engineering curriculum. The event presents a single 50 minute class on geosynthetics for the undergraduate level but also provides a framework for additional class content and resources up to and including a graduate level class on geosynthetics.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATEThe sessions will be led by Dr. Richard Brachman of Queen’s University, Dr. Jorge Zornberg of The University of Texas and Barry Christopher. This is a non-commercial event being conducted under the auspices of the North American Geosynthetics Society and supported by the International Geosynthetics Society, the Geosynthetic Institute, the Geosynthetic Materials Association and other industry groups and companies.
With the exception of travel to and from Austin, all expenses will be paid. Priority will be given to those individuals judged to have influence over the content of the programs at their respective institutions.
Dates: July 28-29, 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
What is needed to apply: Copy of CV, listing of courses taught and a short commentary telling us how you can include this content in your universities curriculum.
We encourage you to both apply today and to spread the word on this program to those colleges and universities we may not reach. Please act promptly, spaces are limited. Please contact me using the information below if you have any additional questions.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATESincerely,
Boyd Ramsey
Chief Engineer – GSE Environmental LLC
GMA Chairman
Co-Chair IGS Technical Committee on Barriers
Email: BRamsey@GSEworld.com
Phone: +1.281.797.6183
We are the North American Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), serving and representing infrastructure and sustainability professionals in Canada and the United States.
