Young people need role models. Someone to look up to when confused about what they want to do in the future. Girls, especially at middle grade age, begin to get mixed messages about what is possible. That’s why the GIRLS IN SCIENCE SERIES is a perfect remedy.

ARCHAEOLOGY—COOL WOMAN WHO DIG join nine other previously released titles: ASTRONOMY, TECHNOLOGY, FORENSICS, ENGINEERING, AVIATION, MARINE BIOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, and METEOROLOGY. See more about these titles here.

ARCHAEOLOGY begins with a background on just what is archaeology and a look at the history of women in the field. From there you jump right in and meet three impressive women archeologists:

• Chelsea Rose is a historical archaeologist and researcher at the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA), where she studies towns and mining camps of the Gold Rush era.
• Alexandra Jones is the founder of a nonprofit organization in Washington DC, called Archaeology in the Community (AITC). She develops exciting programs that encourages everyone to experience archaeology.
• Justine Benanty is a maritime archaeologist and a mentor of Youth Diving with a Purpose. She has investigated slave ships off the coast of South America and participated in digs from North America to the Middle East.

I enjoyed reading the stories about their work and how they got into the field of archaeology. A super addition were QR codes scattered throughout that lead you to primary online sources. I used the QR app on my phone, but it works the same on a tablet.  Focus on the strange looking square and up pops the page. Great stuff!

Perfect for the classroom or for a budding scientist at home, the book wraps things up with essential questions, a timeline, and a glossary.

We need more women in science fields and this title and series is a superb springboard to make sure that happens.

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Have a great weekend. I’ll be doing some of my own digging and who knows what I’ll find in the garden!