Discoveries Unlimited Helps Protect and Preserve the Environment

Middle School girls and their STEM Mentors learned how protect the environment from invasive plant and animal species with the help of the National Park Service. Staff of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore hosted members of Discoveries Unlimited as they gained an understanding of environmental science and the Dunes ecology. Discoveries-Unlimited-environment-1

Dr. Joy Marburger, Research Coordinator for the National Park Service, kicked off the morning with an educational introduction to local invasive species and plant genetics. Park Rangers Julie Larsen and Kyle Todd led the mentors and mentees on a hike through Miller Woods. The Mentors and Mentees stopped along the trail to gather seeds of native plants such as Indian Grass and Little Blue Stem which will be planted to restore the area with native plant and animal life.

Park Ranger Julie Larsen noted that there are many career paths women can take with the National Park Service. In addition to being a Park Ranger or Researcher, women can also work as a Trailblazer, an Engineer, or a Veterinarian Medical Officer. The opportunities are limitless.

Discoveries-Unlimited-environment-2Discoveries Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring middle school girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Its STEM Mentor program pairs middle schools girls with STEM industry professional in one-on-one mentor teams. The goal is to encourage and support our girls' interests in STEM education and careers, fostering lifelong STEM learners. Additionally, by collaborating with the business community, Discoveries Unlimited provides insight to STEM career paths available in Northwest Indiana encouraging girls to remain in the communities that educate them, build workforce capacity and support economic development.