Project Exploration Blog

Noelani is the youngest of the girls, explaining to her mom all the fun she plans to have.

Mariama shares a smile with Jameela during the orientation.

With the summer now in full swing, Project Exploration is excited to begin field programs with our students. This month, nine middle and high school young women embark on the All Girls Expedition, a two-week science and leadership program where students work alongside scientists in Chicago and Yellowstone National Park. This year, students will be studying Yellowstone’s unique geology, thermal features (like Old Faithful!), extreme water environments, and wildlife.

The All Girls Expedition kicked-off on Wednesday, July 7 with an orientation for students and their parents. It was a great opportunity for Project Exploration and the All Girls Expedition team members to meet one another and get excited for the program.

To tell us more about the orientation, we have our very own Project Exploration correspondent, Jasmine Fleming. Jasmine is a junior at Dr. Martin Luther King College Preparatory High School and has been participating in Project Exploration programs since middle school. Jasmine has been a team member of the All Girls Expedition twice – once as a team leader! In her words, here is what Jasmine had to say about this year’s All Girls Expedition orientation:

One could tell that the girls were full of anticipation and becoming anxious. Some with faces ready to learn, others that had never even been away from home. But none the-less smiles glowed because they all knew they were ready to try new things. As Jameela asked them to state their names and what they were looking forward to the most, “exploring wildlife” was the most common answer.

Looking forward to things that they wouldn’t normally see in Chicago was exciting to them all. Parents had very few questions knowing their children were in good hands.

And right before orientation ended “It is important to step out of the box in different ways to contribute to the outside world. So it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in, it’s what you bring to the table,” Jameela reminded them all with a grin from ear to ear full of anticipation herself.

The All Girls Expedition class starts on Monday, July 12. Stay tuned for more blog postings about our exploration in Chicago and Yellowstone!

Congratulations to our All Girls Expedition team members on beginning this journey together:

• Tykesha B., 10^th grade, Perspectives Charter School – Calumet High School of Technology
• Brianna B., 10^th grade, John Hope College Prepartory High School
• Mariama J., 10^th grade, Perspectives Charter School – Rodney D. Joslin
• Noelani O., 8^th grade, Telpochcalli Elementary School
• Kaylor O., 9^th grade, Perspectives Charter School – Calumet High School of Technology
• Shamerea R., 12^th grade, University of Chicago Charter School – Woodlawn
• Constance R., 12^th grade, University of Chicago Charter School – Woodlawn
• Kenisha S., 12^th grade, University of Chicago Charter School – Woodlawn
• Genesis V., 12^th grade, Perspectives Charter School – Rodney D. Joslin
  

  Shamerea talks about what she is most excited about.

This was the night of celebration for the graduating class of 2010 and a night of inspiration for one in line like myself. I look forward to next year when I will give my own graduating speech to the Project Exploration audience. I spent the night talking with a hopeful crowd of young men and women and their families along with the ever energetic staff of Project Exploration. The ceremony took place in the Garfield Park Conservatory. One could not ask for a better venue and  better weather. The Program’s welcome speech was delivered by the Assistant Director  Christian Greer who made a compelling comment on life with a puzzle analogy. Throughout our life we are putting the pieces of puzzles together, to get the picture right. It’s not easy but with right strategy one can get it right. Each table had puzzle boxes as a take home gift.

Former PE student Tanya James was the key note speaker. Tanya joined PE in 2005 and is currently studying Social Work at Jarvis Christian College  in Texas. She stated “when I came to Project Exploration I was a shy person, I knew nothing about science. But the way this program presented science to me, I didn’t even know I was learning science. I took what I learned and applied it to my life.” She encouraged students to keep going and “never let any negativity stop you, just follow your inner voice.”

The best part of the senior celebration and every project exploration event were the alum speeches. De’ Andre Brown graduated from Hyde Park Career academy.  De’Andre said initially I went to PE just to get some service learning hours but then i kept going there, PE became almost my second home. Almost every testimony from a Project Exploration student mention change.

Rana Tuggle joined Sisters  for science in 2005, she was in 7th grade then. Rana said PE has helped her learn not only science but gave her great opportunity to establish a network of support and taught her how to connect with people. The most memorable moments of her life were when she went for the All Girls Expedition in 2007.

Antonio Johnson became  Junior paleontologist in 2006 . He is graduating fromLincoln Park High school. Antonio recalls , “when I joined PE I was really very shy and quiet person. PE helped me learn who I am.”  It is here , I made lifelong friends.

Steven Reyes is graduating from Whitney Young Magnet high school. He has been a part of Dinosaur Giants in 2007-09 as well as On-Site Coordinator for 2010.  He stated “PE has enhanced my knowledge of Biology and Anatomy as well as helped me open up to other people. PE has provided me with resources I needed to move on,  guidance support when I need it the most”.

This event was not just for graduating high school students. There were College graduates also. Gerald Turner is a college graduate and has been with PE since 2000. Gerald told the students, what he got most from PE was not only science but something beyond science, it was connecting with people and reaching out to others.

Kit was one of the most senior members of PE . He has been with the program since 1999 and he advised students “cherish this moment, leave your prints on this planet, know that you have the power to change”.

Dr. Paul Sereno, greeted  the students and their families and personally delievered the good news of a new addition to his family, a baby boy and perhaps the youngest member of PE family.

PE continues it’s tradition of giving. Each student received a bag filled with ” life saving” devices, such as financial resource guide, a jump drive, writing pen, safe sex informative brochure, and a water canteen. But what i took from this event was not inside of a brown paper gift bag. What i took was the stories about change from the students at the dinner. When those students walk off the stage over the next couple of days it will be because of the immeasurable support Project Exploration continues to give students. Everyone of us Project Exploration students has a success story to tell, all thanks to our adventures with PE

The AGE team in Yellowstone National Park (Thermal Biology Institute/RMHannahoe)

“To be an All Girls Expedition (AGE) team member means that you are a person who wants to learn new things and have an opportunity to try those things. It means being devoted to something you really want to do.” – Alejandra, 10th grade, Perspectives Charter School – Rodney D. Joslin Campus

“To be an AGE team member, you need to have spark. You have to have courage, ambition, and confidence.” – Michelle, 12th grade, ACE Technical Charter High School

“Being in AGE has shown me that anything is possible. It means that young women can come together, no matter your race or language you speak, and make something amazing happen.” Ta’Kia, 12th grade, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School

This past July, nine girls from four Chicago public schools made something amazing happen: Project Exploration’s All Girls Expedition! Through the two week program, these students from ACE Technical Charter School,  Perspectives Charter Schools – Calumet and Rodney D. Joslin campuses, and Young Women’s Leadership Charter School were immersed in a world of science discovery and opportunity.

Students had one week of intensive classroom sessions where they gained experience and training in biology, chemistry, and geology.

The girls then traveled to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Over the course of a week, students worked alongside park rangers and scientists, applying the knowledge and skills they learned in the classroom. The All Girls Expedition team tested water quality with scientists from the Thermal Biology Institute and tracked a collared coyote with the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center.

Check out the pictures below to see all the amazing things that the All Girls Expedition team experienced and learned! There are two pages of pictures, so make sure to view them all.

[View with PicLens]

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Kassandra captures her thoughts and observations in her journal during the All Girls Expedition in 2007. Photo M. E. Perez

Kassandra Davis, member of Sisters4Science, All Girls Expedition, and the Nigersaurus Delegation, is featured as one of “8 Under 18″ in the September issue of Chicago magazine. Kassandra was nominated for this honor by Project Exploration Girls’ Program Coordinator Jameela Jafri.

Pick up the magazine now, or read the story on the Chicago Magazine web site.
Congratulations, Kassandra!

Article image © Chicago magazine.

Science Director Rabbiah Mayas attended the recent All Girls Expedition Send off and blogged all about it. Check out her take on it all on the Science Chicago blog.