REU-Site: Comparative Analysis of Glacial Sediments, Minnesota and Brazil

明尼苏达大学莫里斯REU项目的目标是培养地质科学中代表性不足的个人的发展。8名妇女将参与实地和实验室研究，以确定明尼苏达州中西部第四纪和巴西圣保罗州西部古生代晚期冰川沉积物的起源。该研究项目将继续UMM和圣保罗大学（USP）教师和学生之间长期建立的合作研究工作。在明尼苏达州，研究将集中在得梅因冰川叶的历史和动态上。个别项目将利用沉积物分析来确定问题沉积物的来源，包括隧道谷Eskers，条纹和多面巨石路面，以及冰川湖Benson的弯曲沉积物。这些研究将采用地质研究技术，如土壤和沉积物相的特征、物源研究、沉积岩石学和古生态评估（微古生物学、孢粉学、沉积学和粘土化学）。在巴西，对第四纪和古生代沉积物（二晶岩和变岩）和特征（岩屑、巨石路面和楔型铸件）的比较分析将使学生深入了解古生代晚期冈瓦纳冰川的冰川历史。在巴西的野外工作将包括绘制沉积单元图、层序地层学、相分析和解释冰川特征。REU参与者将选择个人研究项目，重点是巴西，明尼苏达州或沉积物和/或地形的比较。除了提供高质量的设施和密切的教师指导，UMM REU计划继续为学生提供独特的东道国机构的机会。在UMM校园里，REU学生有机会研究科学伦理问题，讨论女性在科学领域的问题，与职业女性地球科学家会面，并开始规划未来的学术和科学事业。参与者通过发表专业演讲和带领实地考察获得自信。这个项目不仅促进了这些学生作为科学家和个人的成熟，而且还有助于了解明尼苏达州中西部和巴西的地质知识。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会国际科学与工程办公室共同资助。

The goal of the University of Minnesota, Morris REU project is to nurture the development of underrepresented individuals in the geological sciences. Eight women will be involved in field and laboratory research to determine the origin of glacial deposits of Quaternary age in west-central Minnesota and late Paleozoic age in western Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This research program will continue a long-established collaborative research effort between UMM and Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) faculty and students.In Minnesota, research will focus on the history and dynamics of the Des Moines glacial lobe. Individual projects will utilize sediment analysis to determine the origin of problematic deposits, including Tunnel Valley Eskers, a striated and faceted Boulder Pavement, and varved sediments of Glacial Lake Benson. These studies will employ geologic research techniques such as characterization of till and sediment facies, provenance studies, sedimentary petrography, and paleoecological assessments (micropaleontology, palynology, sedimentology and clay chemistry).In Brazil, comparative analysis of Quaternary and Paleozoic sediments (diamictites and varvites) and features (eskers, boulder pavements and wedge casts) will allow students to gain insight into the glacial history of the late Paleozoic Gondwana glaciation. Fieldwork in Brazil will include mapping of sedimentary units, sequence stratigraphy, facies analysis, and the interpretation of glacial features. REU participants will select individual research projects with a focus on Brazil, Minnesota, or comparison of deposits and/or landforms.In addition to providing high quality facilities and close faculty guidance, the UMM REU program continues to provide students with opportunities unique to the host institution. On the UMM campus REU students have the opportunity to examine issues in scientific ethics, discuss problems of women in science, meet professional women geoscientists, and begin planning future academic and scientific careers. Participants gain self-confidence by giving a professional talk and leading a field trip. This program not only fosters maturation of these students as scientists and individuals, but it also contributes to the geologic knowledge of west-central Minnesota and Brazil.This award is co-funded by NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering.