Girls into Geoscience

Girls into Geoscience is an outreach initiative primarily based around an annual two-day event, which is comprised of a field trip, talks and workshops. The first day consists of an optional field trip to some of the stunning geological sites close to Plymouth. Whether it is the granite landscape of Dartmoor, or the sedimentology of Torbay, we can show the girls that fieldwork is fun and not a barrier to female participation in the Earth Sciences.

The second day is run like an academic conference. In the morning, we have female geoscientists from industry and academia talking about how they got into science and what their job or particular field of Earth science involves. Over the years we have had petroleum exploration experts, mining geologists, engineering geologists, academics, and a teacher all talk about their exciting and rewarding careers. 

The afternoon session is run by female academics, researchers, and technicians from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth. 

The visiting students can choose two workshops from those on offer, so that they can find out more about topics that interest them. Whether it is climate change, volcanism, planetary geology or geographic information systems (GIS) the girls can get hands on with geological material and concepts.

Over the years the initial concept has grown to encompass the sister events of Girls into Geoscience Ireland and Girls into Geoscience Scotland. We are also hoping to launch Junior Girls into Geoscience. 

Through these different events we hope to provide crucial role models for aspiring female scientists across the Earth Science spectrum, in person and through our popular blog posts, as well as promoting diversity and equality in our field.