Houston Energy Day Sam Houston Park, Downtown
The Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) Outreach Team, led by volunteers Anglia Sweet, Sara Tirado, Huw James, Katya Casey, and Jean-Paul van Gestel, delivered hands-on geoscience STEM activities at Houston's Energy Day, engaging more than 500 students and adults.
The presentation focused on two key messages:
1. How Do Geophysicists Explore Oil and Gas?
Students learned how geophysicists use seismic waves to image the subsurface and identify potential oil and gas traps. Hands-on activities included using slinkies to demonstrate P- and S-waves, comparing seismic imaging to a baby ultrasound, and playing the popular "Oil Game" by drilling wells in sandbox models.
2. Critical Minerals Are Everywhere...
Students discovered that a cellphone contains 15 critical minerals, highlighting their importance in everyday technology, from computers and gaming devices to EVs, wind turbines, satellites, and medical equipment. The team also introduced exploration technologies used to locate these resources, including EM surveys, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), seismic methods, satellite imaging, and magnetotellurics.
The enthusiasm and curiosity shown throughout the day demonstrated the value of STEM outreach in inspiring the next generation of geoscientists, engineers and innovators. A big thank you to the dedicated GSH volunteers whose passion and commitment helped make Energy Day a memorable and educational experience for hundreds of future STEM leaders.
To learn more about GSH Outreach contact Outreach@GSHTX.ORG
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