[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6088352,"mediaKeyId","2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6","parentId",2881726,"title","Speaker traces history of women in geosciences, offers career advice for students","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",1448000,"endMs",1900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6&start=1448&end=1900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6/thumbnail_1448000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088352/Pennsylvania/Speaker-traces-history-of-women-in-geosciences-offers-career-advice-for-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088352-d98e5fd3b7c94846adbe0fcde818a7c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032789&Signature=nZcxsPfaHcBY0QNdrRCMtIT73Bq1M5nVWADfq4sN0ZXoZ0ft8o8-EvnYJmD9jUMvAu9n4WNK7gnqyOwa1Z1KEiP3HNJziI7eiHwH4z6-r9XDgewBRHFSZTKL8J-vDmNGdXDgaE0LDvu3Wo86HRnGpnXDbEEbRqC7oyQYBBAX3dOWgglzdVLJ6apExewdqv1YqlPu4zt-P3p4opTfXz3~rspa~Ptr0KSQI3xCDbxiBTg6ppaITrTrzIffkUdmOP1FCA5J2Vtiftz10miEJqwFh5hjFKvXuyQK3Tcn3BxxHEnZrv0DriCS9Ju7KhdOqVKRVP2L1b0BbNjPPpbWv6AMtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-05T09:46:37.337Z","article","Dr. Blackmer, a Pennsylvania Geological Survey geoscientist, reviewed the history of women in geoscience and urged students interested in the field to seek clubs, field events and internships where available.

Why it matters: Workforce composition and outreach shape who studies and practices geoscience. Blackmer said more women now enter the field but gaps remain, and she highlighted historical leaders whose work helped open doors.

Historical overview: Blackmer described Florence Bascom, who earned an early Ph.D. in geology at Johns Hopkins and \"was the first woman to be hired by the USGS,\" and who later founded Bryn Mawr College’s geology department. She showed photographs of early field geologists in period dress and said she had used Bascom’s maps in her own work.

Workforce statistics and trends: Blackmer cited a report (data to February 2007) showing an upward trend in geoscience degrees at multiple levels and said that women now make up roughly 30% of environmental and geoscience jobs in some measures. She also noted that of 49 U.S. state geological surveys, 10 then had women state geologists; at the Pennsylvania Geological Survey she said women comprise about 60% of staff.

Career and engagement advice: In response to student questions, Blackmer recommended rock and mineral clubs, state-park events, and other hobbyist groups as entry points. She said the Pennsylvania Geological Survey maintains public data resources, but that the survey was not running a high-school internship at the time she spoke. \"We have had that in the past, but I don't think we're running anything like that now,\" she said.

Licensure and training: Blackmer explained that geology and geoscience programs sometimes include courses needed for professional geologist licensing that environmental-science programs may not. She also encouraged students to look into courses such as mineralogy and structural geology if they aim to pursue professional licensure.

Less critical detail: Blackmer recounted personal anecdotes about early fascination with ocean-floor maps and said her role lets her turn geological stories into practical information for the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 Women in Mathematics, Science and Technology Conference: Keynote Speaker - Dr. Gale Blackmer","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Blackmer outlined historical barriers and recent gains for women in geoscience, highlighted pioneers such as Florence Bascom, and advised students on ways to get involved, including clubs and field events.","taxTitle","Millersville University, Other State Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Pennsylvania","taxId",36753,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6088357,"Pennsylvania geoscientist warns on supply-chain dependence, stresses responsible extraction and remediation",1881,833000,2714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6&start=833&end=2714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6088357/Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania-geoscientist-warns-on-supply-chain-dependence-stresses-responsible-extraction-and-remediation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088357-beb65013eeaac8d06567b57d89bcc476/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032789&Signature=f4ipL0wp11iI3vlyuPNdOXvbRjIZFQbK3YnxQwRFVgMZVf5bs3aWd8KbuNb~9tWTPadiXiwiyVQfv-wQXPjug2M7iYRnD8a9fkoTLpzt5dFFeXzTYeSrKNpvAcGSoDB-LjJHoXtzhdoAwlNwN4ior81Ix3VuV5gllKnMg0Vmw~-ddteDhuLl2H48ZV-5oDoPC8cifE5I-aHbdOJ23mzaKyX08m~I~hp1bAybf6wYjM11N~0995mHXP-dTn9dCWwiajSfxgSDP0qPzFKOjFZgAgFEVvd0PO1B85335V3H702snhtPV~zSmbDUSKRgy1gZgA9IUx~JI955CVIGVL69iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Blackmer, a geoscientist at the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, told an audience that many minerals critical for electronics and batteries are imported to the United States and that the federal government is funding efforts to find domestic sources.

Why it matters: Critical minerals underpin technology and energy transitions. Blackmer said domestic exploration can reduce supply-chain disruptions but must be balanced with environmental protections and community concerns.

Blackmer said critical-mineral work at state surveys typically begins with field sampling and geochemical analyses; those results are shared with companies and other entities that would pursue exploration and extraction. \"There's a big effort now to find sources of critical minerals here in the United States,\" she said.

She addressed environmental responsibilities in extraction and waste handling during a later question-and-answer session. Asked whether geoscientists have ethical obligations to ensure extraction does not harm environments or communities, Blackmer said geoscientists \"do play a part in ensuring that extraction is done responsibly\" and that modern approaches aim to minimize impacts. \"You try to do that responsibly, and you try to minimize that impact,\" she said.

Blackmer warned that some environmental issues arise not from subsurface activity itself but from surface waste handling. She cited Pennsylvania's early gas-boom problems, saying they were \"related to waste disposal on the surface because the companies weren't used to our geology\" and that companies did not consult local geologists before work began.

On remediation, she pointed to acid mine drainage as a visible example where geoscientists trace contamination, identify sources and help design cleanup strategies. She also described projects—such as wetland restoration led by nearby faculty—that remove sediment, improve water quality, sequester more carbon and help filter runoff before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

Hydroelectric and engineering interactions: In response to a question about hydroelectric power, Blackmer said geoscientists typically advise before construction on foundation suitability and later to help maintain the physical infrastructure; engineers handle the electricity generation work.

Less critical detail: Blackmer noted that industry responsibility varies, that companies have developed waste-management approaches of varying quality, and that geoscientists can help design mitigation systems based on geochemical understanding.","Dr. Blackmer said the U.S. imports many critical minerals, that federal funds support exploration, and that geoscientists play a role in reducing environmental impacts from extraction and waste disposal.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6088362,"Geoscientist: Earth materials, subsurface data undergird buildings, water systems and energy plans",1446,0,1446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6&start=0&end=1446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2881726-2f0513dc1cc91bce0ed01c10ebdf8df6/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6088362/Pennsylvania/Geoscientist-Earth-materials-subsurface-data-undergird-buildings-water-systems-and-energy-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088362-24f97b6db9059b63d8fb76facf59d8f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032789&Signature=Cx73v9w8Yqesa7z4JeLIQlXAh0Q4iJ0JNTGMStH0GyeY8mfXZh3dV2-s38bZz2sUioAlWkrQjw-w6tOpIQebyNzFfHb6KjC27xtOwXCifBH10BGgkpiMFiWK7D~OE2fGXiU8N4pnnfm5EwkugDBZYT3tJYdHuh87Tf8ZZCtzhGqjemzE1LH9d7K7bSRQo4KS8za46choo7RoVoRv6al8Uk5aTn~jysi62dJDHeeJJVDalq3mzRdp~zie8vj~vM~R3aUls8cm3ruAtpXOLDPuvuMDzkRhaQgvdEpSxuq6MvhSp5KveBK9Iqgunpd6ibgAOxJRYklQMJfEYlgXvIhUWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Blackmer, a geoscientist with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, said in a keynote lecture that individuals use roughly 3,100,000 pounds of Earth materials in a lifetime and that geoscientists provide the data engineers use to design safe foundations and infrastructure.

Why it matters: Geoscience informs decisions affecting public safety, water supply and energy development. Blackmer told listeners that knowing whether subsurface materials are soil or rock and where fractures run is essential to designing foundations, managing groundwater and planning subsurface uses such as energy wells and carbon storage.

Geoscientists collect field and laboratory data that feed maps, well and spring databases, and the cores that help engineers and planners understand what lies beneath the surface. \"In order to know what foundation to build you have to know what is underneath it,\" Blackmer said, noting that subsurface information helps engineers decide whether to design for soil or rock and how to treat fractures.

Blackmer described several practical applications: mapping outcrops and fractures, drilling cores for direct sampling, maintaining a publicly accessible database of wells and springs, and laboratory work such as electron-microscope analyses to identify minerals. She pointed to deep-sea drilling programs (the Joides Resolution) as one method scientists use to read past climate from seafloor sediments and to large core repositories used by researchers and industry.

On energy and the subsurface, Blackmer said Pennsylvania’s subsurface reaches roughly 8,000 to 10,000 feet in many places and has been used historically for coal, oil and gas. She noted emerging uses under study in the state: hydrogen exploration, geothermal energy, and subsurface carbon storage where emptied pore space in reservoir rocks could store injected CO2.

She also stressed the role of geoscientists in water-resource work. Field teams sample springs, record chemistry and physical properties, and add data to public databases so communities and planners can evaluate potential water sources. \"We have a database of water wells and springs at the survey that is publicly available,\" Blackmer said.

The lecture emphasized the variety of geoscience work—from field mapping and core description to GIS and lab analysis—and how those data link to engineering and environmental decisions.

Looking ahead, Blackmer said geoscience will remain central to addressing climate change, material needs, water security and hazard mitigation, and that using past climates and the rock record helps predict future responses.

Less critical detail: Blackmer showed photographs of fieldwork and labs, and described repositories and mapping workflows used by state surveys and research institutions.","Dr. Blackmer of the Pennsylvania Geological Survey told a campus audience that everyday life and infrastructure rely on mined and processed Earth materials, and that geoscientists supply critical data for foundations, water resources, energy and hazard planning.","actionData","errors"]

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Speaker traces history of women in geosciences, offers career advice for students

Pennsylvania geoscientist warns on supply-chain dependence, stresses responsible extraction and remediation

Geoscientist: Earth materials, subsurface data undergird buildings, water systems and energy plans