Fossil Detectives

This week at After School, Girlstart students had the opportunity to learn about the exciting process of paleontological excavation! Ancient information contained in fossils allows scientists to understand life on Earth millions of years ago.  After they brushed up on their knowledge of the four types of fossils, students were ready to dig in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each group used the appropriate tools to carefully separate clay “layers” of the Earth containing different fossil types. Girls worked together to identify the fossil type, as well as possible environments and conditions on the Earth at the time of the fossil’s creation. This required teamwork and critical thinking. One group even decided to conduct some quick research in a fossil book. They compiled a list of possible dinosaurs whose footprints matched the trace fossil they unearthed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working with fossils created millions of years ago can be tricky, but Girlstart girls are learning inferential and research skills that will help them on the path to paleontology!

Exploring Sand Dunes

At Girlstart, we love to have fun in the sand and sun and learn STEM skills at the same time! Did you know there are four different types of sand dunes? Or that there is a sand dune in China that migrates at a rate of 100 feet every year? At this week’s After School To-Go, girls studied different types of sand dunes and learned about the formation process that leads to each shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each group of girls used straws to mimic the shaping effect of wind, then shared their results with each other. Students discussed the negative effects of sand movement, including damage to towns and health risks. The girls suggested various protective methods, then designed and tested their solutions.

 

 

After testing their ideas, students compared their results once again. Even while having fun, Girlstart girls are using geology skills to solve nitty-gritty problems!

The Underground Movement

This week at After School, girls applied the scientific method to the issue of pollution. Before beginning their experiments, students discussed how water moves underground. The groups hypothesized that different materials, such as sand and soil, would affect the movement of water and pollutants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The girls created sand and soil filters, then watched as water polluted with dirt, dust, and food coloring made its way through the porous materials. Each girl wrote her observations next to her hypotheses. Finally, girls made a model of a well and poured polluted water in the sand and soil near the well opening. When the polluted water began to seep into the well, everyone agreed that it was very gross.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pollution is icky and dangerous. At Girlstart we’re equipping future environmental scientists with the skills they need to improve our Earth’s precious resources!