Story provided by Stillwater Public Library

The Stillwater Public Library invites the community to learn about the fascinating geology of the ocean floor at “Geology Under the Sea” on Saturday, June 11, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center. The program is most appropriate for older teens and adults, and registration is required.

Dr. Laurel Childress, an expedition project manager and staff scientist with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), is visiting Stillwater from Texas A&M University to talk about her geology research while on board the JOIDES Resolution, a research vessel used for ocean core drilling.

Childress credits her love of being in the natural world for getting her interested in geology. But, it’s the collaborative environment that drew her to work with the IODP.

“I initially participated in IODP workshops as a student, and I appreciated the diversity of scientific topics and people gathered together to answer big questions that cannot be addressed by a single discipline,” Childress said.

According to Childress, the remote environment is very challenging. Noting that often the material that she studies may be over a kilometer below the seafloor.

“To extrapolate and interpret what we see in a 6.6 cm diameter ocean core requires many scientists from different disciplines working in concert together.”

Childress also plans to visit the “In Search of Earth’s Secrets” exhibit, currently on display at the Stillwater Public Library during scheduled viewing hours, on Saturday afternoon. The hands-on science encounter highlights the research being conducted on the JOIDES Resolution and the discoveries about the earth that scientists like Childress are uncovering.

Stacy DeLano, Stillwater Public Library director, is thrilled that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is sponsoring a research scientist to come to Stillwater to give a more in-depth overview of some of the research conducted on the ship.

“The exhibit is fascinating and has provided a wonderful learning opportunity for our community,” DeLano said. “So far, most of the associated programs have been more geared toward children and families. I love that we can give adults a chance to engage with the topics from the exhibit, too.”

The “In Search of Earth’s Secrets” exhibit is on display at the Stillwater Public Library on select dates and times through June 12. For a complete schedule, visit library.stillwater.org/EarthsSecrets.php.

“Geology Under the Sea” is part of the Stillwater Public Library’s summer reading program “Oceans of Possibilities.” Visit library.stillwater.org/summer_@_your_library.php to register for summer reading, sign up to attend this program and many others, log reading times and earn prizes. The library will post updates on the library’s website and social media channels. Anyone registered for the events will receive emails about cancellations and rescheduled dates and times.

Summer Reading is sponsored in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the National Science Foundation, and the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library. Additional sponsors for this event include the International Ocean Discovery Program and the OSU’s Boone Pickens School of Geology.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday- Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.