International Year of Planet Earth

https://www.acsmeetings.org/

First prize – Volcano Cake by The Cake Lady Bakery

Scouts Select Smoking Volcano Cake for First Place Prize

by Ianthe Sarrazin
Houston Geological Society

A fantastic Volcano cake with orange lava frosting, brown sugar sand, and dry ice "smoke" stole the show at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on October 11 and earned its creator, Cake Lady Bakery of Friendswood, a check for $1,000.00.

The 2008 Earth Science cake contest, in which elaborate designs showed various features of Planet Earth, was a highlight of many events during a very successful Earth Science Week. There were many smiles of amazement as children and adults marveled not just at the grand prize winner, but also the other entries such as the winner of second place prize of $500.00, a rendition of Glacier Lake in Alaska, complete with sugar polar bears and real steam whisping off of the blue Jell-O frozen lake. This was the creation of Sweet Delight Wedding Cakes of Houston.

The Houston Geological Society was delighted to join with the Geological Society of America and a new, exciting, United Nations-chartered organization, International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). IYPE is truly international in scope; currently 74 nations are involved, bringing together a global spirit of progress and vigor within the geosciences for today and tomorrow.

Together, our goal is to see eyes widen as young people, and of course adults, learn more about the immense forces which continue to shape Planet Earth and affect our lives dramatically all the time. Our MC at the cake contest, former NBC News correspondent Dan Molina, speaking side by side with geologist Janet Combes, told a crowd of people who’d just been through Hurricane Ike how important it was that geoscientists were studying the effects of this tragic storm so that all of us are better prepared the next time. Dan and Janet even got those on hand to brightly cheer, “geosciences”!

The event was a fine addition to a wonderful week – actually TWO weeks. The convention of professionals at the George R. Brown convention center was well attended, and then we were able to follow it up with Earth Science Week and the accompanying Family Energy Festival.

The cake contest created happiness and attention from those who passed by. The Boy Scout judges of the cakes stood tall and strong. For me, as the organizer of this event, the best part was when the crowd on hand dug into the cakes and gave it all a “yum yum!” endorsement.

I’m glad that we are exploring new ways to excite people, young and older, about what the geosciences, their companion studies of math and basic sciences are. Why do they matter? This is a difficult task today. 50 years ago our country was stunned by Russia’s success with Sputnik, and bright minds were inspired to vigorously pursue math and science studies. We hope that in 2008, 2009, and years to come we can find less threatening ways to get a larger crowd to cheer, “sciences!”

Crucial to all of this is the participation of businesses who understand. For our very fun cake contest we had the support of New Dominion LLC of Tulsa, ETROA Resources of Covington, Louisiana, Ralph Baird of Baird Petrophysical of Houston and PetroDevelopment Partners LP of Houston and Beverly Hills, California. Thanks.