Girl Scouts Experience Marine Biology at GCRL

September 21, 2006

More than 80 Girl Scouts and their troop leaders from five states sampled life as marine biologists Saturday, Sept. 16, thanks to University of Southern Mississippi graduate students at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs.

University of Southern Mississippi graduate student Ash Bullard, center, introduces Girl Scouts from five states to Gulf of Mexico horseshoe crabs and stingrays at the university's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. (Photo by Linda Skupien)

The graduate students, all conducting their master's or doctoral research at the Southern Miss lab, led the fledgling scientists in hands-on experiences in labs and in the outdoors – from interactions with local stingrays and horseshoe crabs to learning about saltmarsh environments up close and personal.

The scouts ages 11 to 16 from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee also explored local bayous by kayak and studied a variety of estuarine plants and animals, all part of earning "From Shore to Sea" merit badges.

"This is a great experience for our girls," said Peggy Zebal-Robinson, a scout leader from Huntsville, Ala. "They are learning so much and are having the opportunity to get acquainted with other girls interested in science."

Graduate student Alix Guidry, coordinator of the event at the GCRL, said it was rewarding to the graduate students to see girls having fun participating in science and to see the diversity among the participants.

Girl Scouts search for marine fungi on marsh plants at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, as part of hands-on field and lab activities to earn "From Shore to Sea" merit badges. Clockwise are Kimberly Brock, 14, Haleyville, Ala.; Tylishia Mosley, 12, Aberdeen, Miss.; graduate student Melissa Pratt-Zossoungbo; Anissa Garth, 12, Aberdeen; Christine Covell, 14, Huntsville, Ala. Linda Skupien)

"Our graduate students got to share what they know in their fields and to infuse even more enthusiasm into all these girls interested in science," Guidry said.

 

Kimberly Brock, left, 14 of Haleyville, Ala., and Nicole Wolowicz, 14, of Springfield, Tenn., show off saltmarsh plants as University of Southern Mississippi graduate student Melissa Pratt-Zossoungbo introduces the group to the saltmarsh environment surrounding the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory pier in Ocean Springs. (Photo by Linda Skupien)

Proceeds from the weekend will help support an annual scientific symposium that GCRL graduate students sponsor for graduate students from southeastern colleges and universities to network and present their research.