CIRES' Girls* on Rock program, a wilderness science education initiative for high school youth, has found new success in 2024 thanks to NSF funding. Our own Dr. Melisa Diaz, assistant professor and lead PI of the NSF grant, played a crucial role in redesigning the program's curriculum. Dr. Diaz, inspired by her own experiences as a young scientist, helped expand the program's reach and develop a model focusing on the science of depositional environments in the Rocky Mountains.

The 12-day expedition takes participants through Colorado's mountains, combining scientific research, outdoor skills, and art activities. Dr. Diaz's involvement has been instrumental in creating opportunities for youth who have faced barriers to science education and outdoor experiences.

To learn more about this exciting program and Dr. Diaz's contributions, please read the full article on the CIRES website: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/cires-girls-rock-program-finds-new-footing-2024