Summer 2004

Local high school teachers and students learned various aspects of the geosciences by participating in field trips, sample collection, laboratory procedures, presentations and many more fun and educational activities . The images below depict some of the activities planned during the 4-week project.

Recent CSUB Geology Graduate, Paul Philley instructs Rodrigo an Arvin High School student on how to use the Geology Departments Coring Rig.	One of the many cores participants collected, sampled and analyzed during the project.	CSUB Professor, Dr. Robert Negrini discusses the details of the cores and their significance in studying the paleoclimatology of the Southern San Joaquin Valley.	Participants take in the scenery at Red Rock Canyon State Park during the field trip.
CSUB Professor, Dr. Dirk Baron demonstrates a simple field experiment to better understand the formation of tufa towers.	Students describe core samples in the lab.	Paul Philley shows a sediment sample that was just cored from the ground. The sediment is still encased in the bit of the soil tube.	Another core showing color and sediment variation at different depths.
On the field trip participants learn about various geologic settings like this volcanic cinder cone.	It's not all hard work, students here have fun exploring the unique formations of Fossil Falls.	Students and teachers lay out the cores on long tables in the lab according to their depth.	Participants label and record cores that were just extracted from the ground by the coring rig.
Another core showing lithologic variations at depth.	Students collect freshwater ostracodes for observation in the lab.	Participants gather and observe deposited sediments in an area that was once the bottom of an ancient lake.	John McCormick from East Bakersfield High School uses a probe to collect data from the pond located on campus.
High school student Oscar Gonzales and Stockdale High School teacher Steve Kiouses look for freshwater ostracodes collected from a pond on the CSUB campus.	Teachers, students and CSUB faculty work together in one of the Geology Departments many laboratories.	Alisha, Delona and Joy use a high tech digital petrographic microscope to view thin sections of the cores.	Dr. Manuel Palacios-Fest from Terra Nostra Earth Sciences teaches students the fundamentals of ostracodes and their significance in paleoclimatology research.

"Being part of this project was a terrific experience!!!! My goal was to motivate young students to approach science with the conviction that it is fun, particularly geology. I strongly believe I came back home with a huge sense of accomplishment. I, not only succeeded on motivating some students that kept in touch with me, but their teachers. Working together, we created an interactive environment among students and adults in which we, the scientist, were not seen as an elite, but colleagues. Once, this barrier is broken, students are more open to learn… and we to share our knowledge and learn from them as well." - Manuel R. Palacios-Fest, Terra Nostra - Earth Science Research

"The summer research program was a wonderful way for high school students to come into contact with people of higher education in the field of geology that so often becomes invisible when placed against the popularity of the other physical sciences. The students gained a sense of how research is conducted, how data collection is made, and how results are analyzed to pick out trends. I was thoroughly impressed with the attitudes displayed and the level of commitment each student expressed in their particular jobs. These facts made the friendship bonds particularly easy to make and kept the atmosphere of the lab pleasant. The program was designed to send out vibrations to all high schools that geology is a science that exists just like the others, and as a result some of the students in the program chose to come to Cal State to pursue such an adventure. The program was a success in spite of the fact that no ostracods were recovered from any of the samples. This teaches a very good lesson when it comes to research; it is not always what we find that is most important but sometimes what we do not find." - Lael Monrian, CSUB Student

"This project was influenced primarily by my involvement with the summer program. Last summer was a unique educational experience. This program allowed me to be involved in an active research program, work with students and further my own knowledge of geology. The opportunity for me to work with experts in their field was valuable experience. I have incorporated many elements of the program into my own classroom and feel that the program has not only benefited me, but my students as well. I believe the grant program met and surpassed its goal to motivate students and generate interest in the field of geology. I hope to continue my involvement in any capacity." -Katy Auffant, Teacher, Bakersfield City School District

"Thanks again for a great summer experience. I think your team has turned me into more of a geologist than I was. Paleoclimatology has become one of my favorite interests." - Glenn Dunbach, Teacher, Walter Stiern Middle School

"T'was fun participating in the Southern San Joaquin Paleoclimate Core Project, and a great experience. I met some of the kind professors, made some friends, learned of some knew creatures, and have moved a step closer to become a geologist as I gained some experience. In addition, I obtained a stipend, a scholarship (even though I failed to earn it when I first applied), a shirt, and I was allowed to continue working on the project in August. It was a wondrous time, and would be worth participating in again." -Michael Adamson, CSUB freshman

“…I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of something that was so significant for teachers as well as students. The presentation looked awesome, seeing how everything we worked on came together...all I can say is WOW, and THANK YOU. …I think it would be great for the students to see the finished product themselves (presentation). They would see how the demonstrations, short lectures, field trip, and lab time all came together. …I would love to be part of the summer research this year, however I also think that the experience should be shared by as many teachers as possible. Thanks again for the invaluable experience.” -Camelia Soto, Teacher, Bakersfield City School District

“I really like your idea to take new teachers this summer. The program was really helpful and you should spread that experience to as many Kern County teachers as possible. The fact that earth science is scheduled to be taught to all freshmen in the district in 05 or 06 depending on the school site makes your program even more valuable. …I've used the power point presentation in my class on several occasions. I Think NSTA will be in California next year, if so I would like to submit a presentation.” -Steve Kiouses, Teacher, Stockdale High School