Mission Statement

The goal of the U.M.M. REU project is to nurture the development of underrepresented individuals in the geological sciences. Each Summer, ten undergraduate women are actively involved in field and laboratory research to determine the origin and history of glacial and postglacial deposits in west-central Minnesota. These studies employ varying geologic research techniques including, sediment analysis (characterization of till and sediment facies), provenance studies (basic field descriptions and identifications, sedimentary petrography, till magnetic properties, and till geochemistry) and paleoecology assessments (micropaleontology, palynology, sedimentology and clay chemistry). These projects can be accomplished by the undergraduate at relatively little expense, yet they contribute substantially to the understanding of the glacial geology of the area.

In addition to providing quality facilities and close faculty guidance, the U.M.M. REU program also provides students with opportunities unique to this institution. On the U.M.M. campus REU participants find themselves in an environment where both geologists and women are in the majority. The REU students have the opportunity to examine issues in scientific ethics, discuss problems of women in science, meet professional women geoscientists, and to begin planning future academic and scientific careers. REU participants give a professional talk and lead a field trip, and they observe glacial processes first hand. This program aids in the maturation of these students as scientists and individuals, and contribute to the geologic knowledge of west-central Minnesota.