SCIENCE EXPLORATIONS IN GEOLOGY-- AN ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS

The Milwaukee Public Museum’s Science Explorations program is an informal science education program, with funding from the National Science Foundation, targeting minority middle school girls, a group at-risk for underachievement in science and technology. The enrichment classes are an after-school program utilizing the resources of the Milwaukee Public Museum, including outstanding exhibits, an active scientific staff, a computer distance learning lab, and a tradition of integrating scientific research into engaging exhibits.

The first year of Science Explorations included 12 two-hour sessions in geology. These sessions mixed hands on activities, demonstrations, and lectures to provide an introduction to earth science. Described below are three of the most engaging activities developed for this program. The first was a 77-foot long geologic timeline highlighting Wisconsin geology with samples of rocks and fossils placed along the timeline. The geologic timeline is a roll-out vinyl sheet that can be transported to sites outside the museum. A session on biodiversity asked students to compare the diversity of the Silurian reef diorama in the MPM to Silurian reefs of eastern Wisconsin. The student’s counts were compared to published research data using charts and graphs in a computer spreadsheet. The students were introduced to stratigraphy by using a seven-layer, multi flavored super cake of science- complete with faults. Students were asked to draw a picture of what the cake would look like when cut in half (cross section). Working in four groups, the students took core samples and used the cores to make measured sections and combined these to make their cross section drawing.