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。八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冰川沉积物和巴西圣保罗州西部晚古生代冰川沉积物的起源。这项研究计划将继续UMM和Universidade de圣保罗（USP）的教师和学生之间的长期合作研究工作。在明尼苏达州，研究将集中在得梅因冰川叶的历史和动态。个别项目将利用沉积物分析来确定有问题的沉积物的来源，包括隧道谷埃斯克斯，一个条纹和刻面巨石路面，和冰川湖本森的纹状沉积物。这些研究将采用地质研究技术，如冰碛物和沉积物相的表征、物源研究、沉积岩相学和古生态评估（微体古生物学、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进行了比较分析，（杂混岩和泥页岩）和特征（石砾、卵石路面和楔形铸件）将使学生深入了解晚古生代冈瓦纳冰川作用的冰川历史。在巴西的野外工作将包括沉积单元制图、层序地层学、相分析和冰川特征解释。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近距离的教师指导，UMM REU计划继续为学生提供独特的机会，以主办机构。在UMM校园里，REU学生有机会研究科学伦理问题，讨论科学中的女性问题，会见专业女性地球科学家，并开始规划未来的学术和科学职业。参与者通过专业演讲和实地考察获得自信。该计划不仅培养这些学生作为科学家和个人的成熟，而且还有助于明尼苏达州中西部和巴西的地质知识。该奖项由NSF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.