GeoFORCE at the 2024 JSG Symposium
February 20, 2024
In February, The Jackson School of Geosciences hosted their annual research symposium. We had 13 GeoFORCE students attend and present their 12th Grade Research posters in the high school section.
Several of the students had joined us at AGU, including Elizabeth Kvale, who worked under Dallas Sherman for their project which focused on the water table surroundings outside of Dripping Springs.
“The JSG Symposium was a lot more inviting than the location of the AGU conference, mainly due to the hall’s formidable size. The atmosphere of the Symposium was also a lot more energetic and lively compared to AGU’s more business-like environment. However, both were equally nerve wrecking and fun, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience the events.”
A handful of students had not presented since July 2023. Because the spring semester of senior year can be hectic, several students were the only members of their group in attendance. However, that did not deter our students from giving their all!
Madeline Hefti, who researched carbon capture and storage under Dr. Sue Hovorka, mentioned that at first it was daunting to be the only member of her group at the Symposium.
“In the process of creating our research poster, each member of my group had become most familiar with a certain aspect of the presentation. For example, my group member Alexcia was much more familiar with the financial calculations that went into our project and was able to explain them much better than I was. This led to it being a bit of a challenge to go back and relearn what I was not familiar with, but in the end, I think that I managed it well. As I presented, it got easier as I became more comfortable with presenting on my own, and I’m glad that I did it despite my initial apprehension.”
Overall, many of the students expressed that they were happy to be able to present their research again, interact with Jackson School students and faculty, and reunite with their peers and research mentors.
“Everyone was smart and kind! Walking around, I saw amazing posters and talked to many intellectual scholars and experts. I made new friends and reconnected with old ones. It might seem intimidating, but it’ll get better. All in all, I really enjoyed the event.” said Hoang Thach, who worked with Dr. James Austin doing research on water quality.
Thach, who also presented alone, didn’t let the intimidation get the best of her.
“My first few presentations weren’t the best, but I learned how to improve throughout the event and soon grew confident in myself and my presentation, earning my spot for 3rd place.”
Two of our groups ended up placing. Hoang Thach won third on her poster titled “Stresses on the Colorado River”, and Benjamin Blume and Elizabeth Kvale won first on their poster titled “Onion Creek Water Table Surroundings”. We are so proud of our students, and wish them the best as they near graduation!
