List of Events

2006 National Science Olympiad, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

05/17/2006 - 05/20/2006

Continuing in our tradition of encouraging budding young scientists throughout the state, the IGS participated in the campus-wide open house during the opening days of the National Science Olympiad, held this year on the IU Bloomington campus. Groups of Olympians, families, and coaches visited the Survey on Thursday, May 17, and were treated to a cross section of the activities and research ongoing at the IGS.

A number of IGS staffers were on hand to enlighten visitors about tools used in geologic research: Todd Thompson explained how he uses the Vibracorer to acquire data near the Great Lakes, Marni Dickson Karaffa showed the gamma logging equipment and how it helps glacial geologists determine the nature of subsurface materials, Amzie Wenning demonstrated the ground-penetrating radar equipment, and Dan Fox discussed the uses and methods of acquiring data for the new GeoProbe. Inside the building, Nelson Shaffer enlightened the groups on mineralogy, caves, fossils, and mineral resources in Indiana. Paul Irwin demonstrated GIS technology and its use in mapping and research. The event was organized by Kim Sowder, who volunteers many hours of her own time throughout the year as a coach for local Science Olympians.

In addition to open house activites, two IGS geologists assisted with the National Science Olympiad competition. Marni Dickson Karaffa served as the Rocks/Mineral Event co-coordinator and Sally Letsinger participated as a judge in the aquifer model competition called “Awesome Aquifers.”

IGS Sedimentologist, Todd Thompson, demonstrates the vibracoring device he uses for acquiring cores in beach ridges as part of his lake level studies in the Great Lakes Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Dr. Nelson Shaffer discusses meteorites with visiting Science Olympians Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Todd Thompson shows the pipe that is used by the GeoProbe drilling equipment Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Todd Thompson displays a "peel" from a core that he acquired using the vibracoring device Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Nelson Shaffer gives students a brief overview of the mineralogy of Indiana Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Science Olympians learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) technology Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey IGS staff members display and discuss the GeoProbe drilling equipment Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey

Todd Thompson explains the vibracoring process from the top down! Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey IGS Glacial Geologist, Marni Karaffa, in white shirt, demonstrates the gamma logging equipment used by the glacial geologists Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Geologists, Nelson Shaffer and Amzie Wenning discuss Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey IGS Geologist, Amzie Wenning, shows visitors the digital display on the Ground Penentrating Radar Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey Department of Geological Sciences graduate students host geologic displays and activities in the lobby of the Geology building Photo by John Day • Copyright Indiana Geological Survey

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