On Saturday, April 1, the Geophysical Society of Kutztown University, presided by Margariete Malenda, planned and delivered an inspiring Women in Science program for Kutztown Girl Scouts.
The middle school and high school students started their day cutting open geodes with a friction saw. Seemingly dull on the outside, these rocks revealed their dazzling, crystal-filled interiors.
The girls learned about geochemistry with Dr. Kurt Friehauf, professional geologist and professor at KU. They made rocks glow with ultraviolet radiation, caused them to release their oxygen and carbon into the air, viewed their stained glass-like beauty under high-powered microscopes, electroplated nails with copper they ground from rocks, and operated a Geiger counter to detect radiation that occurs naturally.
The Scouts ate lunch with Donna Demarco, KU computer science professor and co-founder of Viddler, Inc., provider of an online sales training platform for video-based instruction and coaching.
Demarco spoke to the girls about being a woman in science when she was earning her masters and bachelors in computer science. She also served as an excellent role model as a woman who uses her science to become financially independent.
After lunch, the girls scoured the Boehm Science building on a scavenger hunt, searching for pieces of the geologic time scale and assembling all of Earth’s history.
The girls got a taste of paleontology by watching the “Bearded Lady Project,” a documentary produced by woman palentologists at the University of Wyoming showcasing the challenges they experience working in their field.
Afterwards, the girls did their own digging to find and date animal remains that were generously donated by Martin Shrift (Trapper Marty) of Hamburg.
After learning volcanology and experiencing a classic model volcano erupting several times outside, the girls learned about geophysics from Dr. Sherrod, KU Geophysicist. She demonstrated how to use ground penetrating radar equipment to detect pipes and other subsurface features before letting the girls use the equipment.
The girls finished the day reflecting on how they will inspire other young girls to be leaders and achieve their goals, whether those goals involve science, technology, engineering, or math. Below are their responses to the day.
What is your favorite type of geology?
Geochemistry (Alyssa Love)Geochemistry (Sarah Love)
Geochemistry (Morgan Love)I really like petrology. That is the study of cutting rocks open and studying the inside. (Olivia Williamson)
Petrology (Deanna)My favorite type of geology is petrology. I love rocks! (Maisy Kellum)
Petrology was the type I most like today. It was cool to be able to cut the geodes and look at the inside of them. (Megan Dieter, age 16)
I really enjoyed the geochemistry part. (Lea Schroeder, age 16)
How will you empower other girls your age to learn and explore new things?
Show them how much fun it can be. (Alyssa Love)
By telling people about it and making it known. (Sarah Love)
To always encourage them. (Morgan Love)
You could bring them to other programs like this one. It might help them to try and find other thinks like this. (Olivia Williamson)
I would get them interested. (Deanna)
I will tell them to get outside and discover and explore and not to be afraid. (Maisy Kellum)
I would show them the benefit of trying new things. You never know unless you try. (Megan Dieter, age 16)
I’d like to be a leader and help other girls to learn and explore new things. (Lea Schroeder, age 16)
Do you think you’d like to go to college? If so, what do you hope to study?
Yes, animal husbandry at Cornell. (Alyssa Love)
I would like to go to a video FX technology college. (Sarah Love)
Yes, going to a major in forensics and a minor in criminology (Morgan Love)
I would love to go to college. I hope to study interior design. (Olivia Williamson)
Yes, I would study veterinary art. (Deanna)
I would love to go to college to study forensics. (Maisy Kellum)
I would like to go to college and study agriculturally based things. (Megan Dieter, age 16)
I would like to go to college and study something with biology. (Lea Schroeder, age 16)
