5Q: Holly Mitchell Examines Stratigraphy with WKU Department of Geology

Next up in our “Five Questions” series is a chat with Holly Mitchell, a Class of 2010 member from Mercer County.  Like several Gatton Academy students this summer, Mitchell participated in research with the WKU Department of  Geography and Geography.  The Academy is excited to have a strong partnership with this and several other departments on campus.  If you have been keeping up with our 5Qs in recent weeks, you’ll quickly see how rewarding the summer experiences can be.

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you participated.

I worked with Dr. May of the WKU Geology Dept, characterizing Mississippian-Pennsylvanian stratigraphy of the Shanty Hollow area. More specifically, we examined an incontinuity – or hole – in the rock formation from two separate sites. We generated an image of the ancient rock structure, quantifying the physical traits of the surface, measuring radioactivity, and using Strat Gen software to connect our data from the two sites.

2. What part of the summer experience did you enjoy the most?

I liked hiking as a part of my work. Also, the word fossiliferous: I must use it again, someday.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

For the duration of my research, at least, I was not dancing in the woods at Camp Piomingo, tanning, working at Dairy Queen, vacationing the shores of  Naples, cow tipping, whatever the average Kentucky teen does in July. My research was like a combination of class and wilderness tour, but better in that digging was permitted.

4. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

I am leaning toward environmental studies as part of an interdisciplinary major. Learning about the planet in any fashion informs me so that I may take a more holistic approach to study and work.

5. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

The release of Blake Butler’s Scorch Atlas, the possibility of trips to the farmers’ market this year, the Green Club’s second stretch, Where the Wild Things Are, taking Biological Anthropology at last, new kids, new languages (maybe): it will happen.