Cal and Melanie Barnes, longtime GSA members, encourage students not to give up and remind others that the next generation of scientists needs all the help we can provide.

How did you first get involved in GSA?

Cal joined GSA in 1975 thanks to encouragement from faculty and low student dues. Melanie joined in 1976. Cal joined the GSA South-Central (SC) Section Meeting management board in about 1996 and was the SC chair from 2000–2001. Since then, his activities have been mainly in the Cordilleran Section. Melanie was on the Geology and Public Policy Committee as the SC representative for about 6 years.

What inspired you to give to GSA CARES?

Both of us work in the academic world, so we have a front-row seat concerning the disruption students have to deal with in the transition to the virtual classroom.

What would you like to say to students affected by COVID-19?

  1. Be flexible. We know that each teacher has a ‘style’ in the classroom. It’s also true when teaching virtually.
  2. Don’t slack off. Getting behind is a bad idea no matter what the classroom looks like.
  3. Explore the wide range of professional opportunities in the earth sciences.
  4. Don’t give up. When we emerge from the coronavirus we will still need enthusiastic earth scientists.

What would you like to say to others who want to help during this time?

The costs of education will continue to increase, and with federal and state budgets under strain, the next generation of scientists needs all the help we can provide.

 

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