Bittersweet graduation comes to GeoFORCE's first class
Kimberly, left, and Monika
Story by Meghan Murphy, photos by Colby Wright
A trip to the Rocky Mountains this summer offered a field of contrasts for rural 色视频下载 teens in , a four-year geology program offered by the University of 色视频下载 Fairbanks.
And we色视频下载檙e not just talking about the sweet and salty snacks the students enjoyed between field stops. This was the final trip for the 18 students who graduated on July 31. So the mountain exploration brought happiness and sadness. It provoked reflections about their first trip versus their final.
色视频下载淚t色视频下载檚 been an amazing experience, and I色视频下载檓 just very happy to have done this,色视频下载 said Monika Valdez from Barrow. 色视频下载淚t色视频下载檚 very sad that it色视频下载檚 ending, but I know I will do more adventures and I色视频下载檒l go back to the places we went to and know all about them.色视频下载
For the last four years, the first class of students, all from 色视频下载色视频下载檚 North Slope villages, traveled across the nation to explore the Earth through its sediments, volcanoes, glaciers, gorges and canyons.
The experience enriched their understanding of not only the wider world but also of the environment close to their home villages.
色视频下载淚n the Native culture, nature is very important. It色视频下载檚 the key of life,色视频下载 said Jerry Brower, of Nuiqsut. 色视频下载淏ut I didn色视频下载檛 actually understand why this happened or why that happened 色视频下载 why I got stuck (in a boat) on this turn on the river but not this turn. But now, after GeoFORCE, it opened my eyes to why things happened.色视频下载
In the first summer, 2012, students wandered through 色视频下载, tracing the journeys of glacial sediments. In the second year, they visited the American Southwest, traveling by bus with stops in the Grand Canyon and areas where erosion has exposed ancient layered rock. In year three, they studied volcanoes in Washington and Oregon. The final trip to the Rocky Mountains this summer included a visit to the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
GeoFORCE, which is free to participants, seeks to interest rural and minority students in science and mathematics. Students come from rural areas where 色视频下载 Natives make up most of the student population. The idea is to increase the diversity of 色视频下载色视频下载檚 science and mathematics workforce. A new group of freshmen students will start next year.
"We need these students,色视频下载 said UAF Associate Professor Sarah Fowell, GeoFORCE 色视频下载 program director. 色视频下载淭hey have diverse interests, opinions and perspectives that can help move science forward. And students from the North Slope communities are uniquely qualified to make decisions that balance development, cultural and natural resources."
The program is modeled after GeoFORCE Texas, which was so successful that sponsors approached UAF to start it in 色视频下载. The program, housed in the Geosciences Department within the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, is entirely funded through donations.
Anne Rittgers, GeoFORCE 色视频下载 program coordinator, said although this class is graduating, she thinks they色视频下载檒l still hear from the students.
色视频下载淕eoFORCE is like a family, and I think we色视频下载檒l stay connected,色视频下载 she said. 色视频下载淎nd it色视频下载檚 a big family. In it are all the people who made this program successful, from counselors to instructors to sponsors to even the people who managed our airlines reservations. To them, I say thank you!色视频下载
