2013 Kinga Nolan
Mentor Company - WorleyParsons
Operation Minerva - A Day in the Life with My Mentors
I spent Operation Minerva 2013 with eight inspiring women scientists and engineers. They are employed by Worley Parsons Infrastructure and Environment, which is an environmental consulting company. I learned about the steps involved in an environmental study. That day tremendously impacted me in ways I never thought possible.
I started off my amazing day with an early start at the Southcentre Mall parking lot. I was greeted by a friendly representative of Operation Minerva and given a backpack with some great swag gifts. When the bus arrived at Worley Parsons’ office, I was introduced to Kim. She brought our group to the executive boardroom to meet the Worley Parsons women professionals who would be our mentors for the day. Each mentor prepared a twenty-minute slideshow in order of how an environmental consultation takes place.
Rabea presented Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments. Rabea’s challenge is to figure out if there are any environmental concerns present at a particular site. To do this, she gathers information to build a history of the site. First, she creates a record review with aerial photographs from past years, and a file review. Proceeding the review, she conducts a site visit by identifying possible sources of contamination and evidence of spills. She pursues interviews with people who work at the site and landowners regarding suspected contamination. When Rabea returns to her office, she summarizes the data and identifies any possible sources of contamination. Rabea essentially is a detective!
Erin then followed by teaching us about the role of a Geophysicist. Geophysics is a way to figure out what lies beneath the earth’s surface, including exploring for resources. Erin explained to us that she uses geophysics to answer questions about the delicate surface underneath our feet. In the field, Erin collects data by implementing testing such as seismic or electroconductivity. Back in her office, she analyzes the data and makes interpretations based on the information she collects. In the afternoon, Erin brought us outside to do a seismic experiment of our own with actual testing equipment. The seismic equipment was extremely elaborate but effective
Sarah performs soil delineation, which is a fancy word for soil testing. Soil can give an indication of possible contamination. First in Sarah’s office, she reviews the data from previous studies as mentioned above and selects drilling locations. At the studied site, she observes the surface for bare patches and soil staining. As coring progresses, she selects different depths at which to sample the soil and classifies the sample by its texture, moisture level, visible staining, pH level and electric conductivity. She can decide if she wants samples to be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Sarah needs to think about the impact on the surrounding ecosystems. Back at the Worley Parsons office, Sarah reviews the field data to create a site figure with sampling locations and results. Afterwards, she compares her findings with previous reports and if necessary develops a plan to clean up the contaminated soil. Further into the day, Sarah brought in soil samples for us to test using the same methods she uses to test soil. It was super messy but tons of fun! I had no idea how many different aspects go into categorizing dirt!
Megan is a hydrogeologist. Her responsibilities are drilling test water wells underground to determine if the groundwater is contaminated. Megan first calculates how many wells will be installed, where, and how deep. A series of wells is referred to a Groundwater Monitoring Network. After the wells are installed, Megan frequently visits the wells and samples the groundwater for certain chemicals. To sample the water, she measures the water level then uses a pump system to extract a water sample. Megan takes field-measured parameters such as pH, temperature and electrical conductivity, and sends the samples to a lab for supplementary analysis. Back at her office, she reviews and determines if the groundwater is contaminated and with which chemical, at what rate and the impact on groundwater users and ecosystems.
During our pizza and pop lunch break, Megan brought out a demonstration and showed us how fast a pollutant carries through the groundwater system. It’s terrifying to think about how such a small contaminant in the water can spread resulting in a large volume of surrounding water getting polluted.
After lunch, Jennifer taught us about Risk Assessment and Conceptual Site Models. Her job is to assess every single project/consultation and determine possible risks associated with it. For example: what are risks involved in purifying a groundwater aquifer from a gasoline contaminant? When she assesses a project she considers three crucial elements: the hazard or event that could cause a risk, the likelihood of the risk and the possible consequences. Based on the risk factor, Jennifer creates Conceptual Site Models (CSMs) to reduce or eliminate the risks involved with certain projects.
Janine presented animal and vegetation surveys. For both jobs, Janine needs to determine the area to survey and a general notion of the flora and fauna present. She needs to establish if human activities already have an impact on the biology. For animals, Janine conducts various surveys throughout the year such as pellet surveys and aerial ungulate surveys. For plants, Janine settles on a certain area to count every single plant she sees, including the miniscule lichens. She must estimate how much area every plant takes up. In my opinion Janine has the hardest job. It would super relaxing to do, but I simply wouldn’t have enough patience.
Last but certainly not least, was Stephanie who taught us about soil and groundwater remediation. Remediation is the process of cleaning up the pollutant, from the contaminated area. Based on the work completed by the team in earlier phases, Stephanie determines and plans what clean up is necessary. She proceeds by choosing a remediation solution based on the type of contaminate, the location, soil type and groundwater depth. The most important aspect to the client that Stephanie considers is cost effectiveness. Some remediation options available are excavation: phytoremediation (plants up taking metal through roots), bioremediation (microorganisms break down contaminants) and specially designed engineered solutions.
Since my entire day was based on soil, water, contamination and other earth aspects, the creative Worley Parsons team made spectacular cupcakes! They resembled a forest scene, and inside the cupcakes were the different “dirt” levels and the soil “contaminated” with M&M’s and Smarties. We used a fork operating as our equipment to excavate and haul the contaminated soil away in our bellies!
I couldn’t believe my day was over! It went so fast. I learned so many new things and it opened my mind to science.
When l hear the word “science” I groan, thinking about being forced to sit in a dark classroom for an hour talking about how cells divide. Operation Minerva gave “science” an entire different meaning. Science isn’t just cells dividing or light reflecting. It is the basis of our world. It gives planet earth life and sustains our human race. From discoveries in medicine with the help of chemistry, to unearthing what lies beneath the planet’s delicate surface with geophysics, there are infinite possibilities when it comes to science.
If you take Gertrude Elion, she was a biochemist and pharmacologist who was told she would never make it, but she won the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for her development of new drugs and her ingenious research that later lead to the development of the AIDS drug, AZT. “I had no specific bent toward science until my grandfather died of cancer. I decided nobody should suffer that much.” Gertrude was inspired by her Grandfather’s death and wanted to put a stop to cancer. She changed the science world in considerable ways and came up with new innovative methods. All she needed was a spark to ignite.
The spark that Operation Minerva gave me was so powerful and motivating. I had no idea such careers were available. The possibilities are astounding. I believe Operation Minerva is a fantastic program because it opens a young girl’s mind to science. I loved Operation Minerva program and I wish I could attend it every year of my schooling for the education and exposure it created for me.
I had no idea such captivating opportunities were available. I always assumed science meant roles as a typical doctor or lab technician. My eyes are now wide open in relation to science and it’s application in the workplace and now everything about our world just seems so much more interesting. Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to experience Operation Minerva. It is an incredible experience I will never forget.
