10-28-2008

Girls Empowered at Marine Science and Technology Workshop

Thirty Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts from the West Central Florida Council participated in a full day of marine science discovery at the Girl Scout Marine Science and Technology Workshop held on Saturday, October 25, 2008. The Girl Scout Marine Science and Technology Workshop was organized by Mya Breitbart, Ali Hudon, and Kim Pause from the USF College of Marine Science. The event was made possible through a Community Action Grant from the American Association of University Women, and numerous faculty, staff, and student volunteers from the USF College of Marine Science, The Pier Aquarium, Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), WFLA Storm Team 8, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), the Saint Petersburg Museum of History, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the SCUBAnauts.  Food donations were generously provided by Atlanta Bread Company, Papa John’s Pizza, and Starbucks.

The Girl Scouts started their day off at Spa Beach, where they conducted a beach cleanup service project.  Participants then collected local fish and invertebrates by seine netting, and learned to identify and understand the ecology of the animals they caught.  The girls then toured the Pier Aquarium exhibits and touch tanks, where they learned more about the Tampa Bay estuary and its habitats.  Next, the girls were given a presentation about oceans and weather at the Saint Petersburg Museum of History by WFLA Storm Team 8 Meterologist Leigh Spann.  In the afternoon, the girls learned about various tools used for marine science research, and participated in several hands-on activities to get a glimpse into the life of an oceanographer.  Girls toured a Florida Institute of Oceanography research vessel, and while onboard, learned about marine acoustics and used a hydrophone to listen to noises underwater.  Female geologists demonstrated how chemical signatures preserved in coral reefs and carbonate shells can reveal information about past climate, and how this can be applied to research about modern day climate change.  Girls performed a plankton tow to capture phytoplankton and zooplankton from seawater, and analyzed their samples under dissecting microscopes. The Girl Scouts then learned about bacteria and viruses in the ocean, cultured bacteria from seawater, and used fluorescence microscopy to reveal all these invisible-to-the-eye microbes.  Next the SCUBAnauts gave a demonstration on SCUBA diving and the girls built and operated their own underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).   The day ended with a Geocaching adventure, where the girls used GPS units to locate clues hidden throughout the USF Saint Petersburg campus.

Throughout the day, the Girl Scouts had the opportunity to interact with female scientists (including researchers, graduate students, and aquarium staff) and interview them about their careers.  These interactions are critical for developing girls’ interest in science and technology, and encouraging the girls to pursue these interests. Each Girl Scout earned the “From Shore to Sea” Interest Project by participating in the event, but more importantly, had the opportunity to develop a lasting interest in marine science and technology.

View Event Photo Album

Girl Scout Participants -
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