Field and Laboratory Research on
GLACIAL SEDIMENTOLOGY IN BRAZIL
&
SURFICIAL GEOLOGY OF WEST CENTRAL, MINNESOTA
The Program
REU is an undergraduate research program for women geology majors with a minimum of 2 years of geology course work. The program, designed to encourage women to continue on in Geology, is part of a comparative research effort to determine: the origin and history of surficial deposits in west central Minnesota and the late Paleozoic glacial units of Brazil (the Itarare subgroup). The U.M.M. - REU program includes 16 days of field research in Brazil and culminates in a "student-run" meeting/field conference.
This research program will be founded upon a long-running REU program based at UMM and a long-established collaborative research effort by The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) and Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) faculty and students. In Minnesota, this includes the continuation of closely related projects, which have in common the utilization of till analysis to determine the origin and glacial history of problematic deposits; including Tunnel Valley Eskers, a striated and faceted Boulder Pavement and varved sediments of Glacial Lake Benson. In Brazil comparative analysis of Quaternary and Paleozoic sediments (diamictites and varvites) and features (eskers, boulder pavements and wedge casts) allows insight into the glacial history and paleoenvironments. The REU experience will involve: training in geological field research, laboratory methodology (sediment analysis and petrographic techniques) and seminar programs on selected topics in geology, women in science and scientific ethics. Participants will also be introduced to computer applications in geology, scientific writing and the presentation of a professional paper.
UMM is an undergraduate institution which offers excellent facilities and close faculty contact. REU women will have the opportunity to develop collegial ties with other undergraduates doing geologic research from around the U.S. and Brazil. The research experience and the unique opportunity to interact with a scientific community where underrepresented individuals are in the majority will both break down a number of traditional barriers and aid in the maturation of these students as scientists. The culmination to the program, the "Friends of UMM REU" conference, will provide these women with the opportunity to present results and discuss ideas with experts in the field. The REU program will contribute to the personal growth of these women and the research to be accomplished will contribute to the understanding of the glacial history of Minnesota.