Carol Gardipe facts for kids

Carol Gardipe, born in 1929, is an amazing American geologist. She is part of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Native American tribes. Carol worked for important groups like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She also taught at universities. Carol is famous for helping start the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).

Learning About Earth

Carol Gardipe loved learning about rocks and the Earth. She went to the University of Connecticut. During her studies, she spent a semester learning outdoors at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

She earned her first degree in Geology from the University of Connecticut. Later, she taught at Colby College for a while. Carol then went to graduate school at the University of New Mexico. There, she studied geography and how we use natural resources.

Her Work as a Geologist

After getting her first degree, Carol worked in Newport News, Virginia, and Washington D.C. She also joined teams that mapped land in the Southwest for the USGS.

After her graduate studies, Carol and Bob Whitman started a special program. It was called the Native American Program at the College of Engineering (NAPCOE). This was the first program in the United States for American Indian engineers at the University of New Mexico. They led this program for two years. At the same time, she worked with a group called the National Research Council Committee on Minorities in Engineering.

In 1976, Carol Gardipe, along with Al Qöyawayma and Arnold Anderson, created the American Indian Engineering Council (AIEC). She also worked as a marine geologist, studying the ocean floor, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Founding AISES

In 1977, Carol Gardipe and other scientists came together. They were brought together by the National Academy of Engineering. These people included Arnold Anderson, Al Qëyawayma, George Thomas, Jerry Elliot, and Jim Shorty. Together, they founded the National Society of American Indian Engineers. Today, this group is known as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Carol Gardipe was on the first Board of Directors for AISES. She was also active in the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Helping Students

In 1981, Carol was a guest speaker at the University of Colorado Boulder. She was also part of a committee for a program called Science and Self-Determination. This program helped American Indian high school students learn about careers in science. It also gave them support to do well on college tests. The goal was to help these students go to college and study science or math.

Later Life

Carol Gardipe lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Awards and Honors

Carol Gardipe is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. This is a special honor for geologists. In 2003, she received the Ely S. Parker Award. This is the highest award given by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.