Nyala Jefferson wants to become a politician who will help solve the world’s problems. 

After attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s geology camp, Jefferson said the study of geology can be used to fix the world.

“Geology helps us to understand about climate change, global warming, melting polar ice caps, and how we can help fix the Earth’s problem,” Jefferson said. “I also want to become a politician, so I can help make bills to help the planet.”

Jefferson was one of five Arkansas students who completed the inaugural geology camp program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Participants included:

•      Jonathan Bailey, of Mabelvale, a junior at Sheridan High School
•      Ra’Maun Baker, of Jacksonville, a sophomore at Episcopal Collegiate
•      Frederick Carthon, of Lexa, a freshman at Barton High School
•      Nyala Jefferson, of Poplar Grove, a freshman at Barton High School
•      Hailey Nearns, of Lexa, a freshman at Barton High School

Held June 11-17 on the UA Little Rock campus, the free one-week summer enrichment program was sponsored by the UA Little Rock George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. It offered campers a unique overview of life as a geologist. Students studied topics like field mapping, mineralogy, fossils, topographical mapping, and geologic time.

Dr. Michael DeAngelis and Dr. Rene Shroat-Lewis, both assistant professors in the Department of Earth Sciences, created the camp after students in other Engineering and Information Technology camps showed enthusiasm for the geology segments.

“There’s never been a summer geology camp hosted by UA Little Rock,” DeAngelis said. “We wanted to give students an overview of geology concepts in the classroom as well as hands-on experience and field excursions that will give them real-world experience.”

The students met with UA Little Rock geology students and professors as well as employees from the Office of Admissions who showed them how to prepare for college. Engineering and Information Technology Dean Dr. Larry Whitman gave the students a presentation on how to prepare a winning “elevator speech” to impress future employers.

Outside the classroom, students took field trips to Hot Springs National Park, Mid America Science Museum, Coleman Quartz Mine, Fourche Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, bauxite mines in Saline County, and various field mapping locations near Cabot.

Bailey was interested in attending the camp since his stepfather studies geology. The Sheridan High School student’s favorite activity was a field excursion to Coleman Quartz Mine, where the students dug for crystals.

“I was lucky to get into this camp,” Bailey said. “I enjoy the study of rocks and moss.”

In the upper right photo, Engineering and Information Technology Dean Dr. Larry Whitman teaches Geology Camp participants how to deliver a winning elevator speech.