SAGE Turns 25

A model of success
Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience program turns 25

It's as heavy as a cement truck, but it works like a watch," said 1 Lawrence "Larry" Braile, a professor from Purdue University. He was referring to the massive, roaring industry-grade piece of machinery called the Vibroseis truck shaking the ground on a mesa near Santo Domingo Pueblo roughly half way between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Braile, other instructors, and twenty-four students participated in the Laboratory sponsored Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE), which turned 25 this summer. The machine is what industry calls a truck-mounted vibrator. The Vibroseis truck, through a heavy pad on the ground, sends benign vibrational waves as deep as two to three kilometers into the ground that refract and reflect off layers of higher density, showing the students and the instructor where there is a change in the rock layers, for example. For the past 25 years SAGE has attracted the best students from around the world interested in geophysics. The application process isn't difficult; however, students must meet certain academic standards, such as successfully completed courses in physics and math. SAGE instructors are mostly looking for interest and motivation. A major in geophysics is not required. Members of the SAGE faculty are among the best in the nation. Additionally, SAGE attracts some the best companies in geophysics, geology, and geological/mineral exploration. Students at SAGE familiarize themselves with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest software, much of it donated by companies. Interest, motivation, and dedication drive SAGE. In the dry desert air with a storm looming to the west, a level of focus and eagerness to learn permeated through students and instructors alike. SAGE is outstanding and long lasting because of its instructors, the core six who have been with SAGE most of the 25 years. The core faculty consists of

• Scott Baldridge of Geophysics (EES-1 I), co-director
• George Jiracek, co-director and professor of geology from San Diego State University
• Lawrence (Larry) Braile, professor and department head of earth and atmospheric sciences, Purdue University
• Shawn Biehler, professor of earth sciences at University of California, Riverside
• Bernard (Bernie) Gilpin, professor of physics and geology at Golden West College
• John Ferguson, associate professor and program head of the geosciences department at the University of Texas.

According to Baldridge, the faculty is "like a good baseball team. They work together well, and there is a high level of individual commitment." Besides the core faculty, several newer staff members from Los Alamos, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Green Engineering consulting firm have joined the program to advance the students' experience. In addition, geophysicists from several companies lead field experiments and assist with instructing students. Since the beginning of the program, a huge focus has been on what could be improved for the next session. How could the students get a more satisfying experience from SAGE?

The faculty has made SAGE a flexible and adaptable program. SAGE,like any long-surviving program, has undergone changes that have been"more evolutionary than revolutionary," said Baldridge.An example of such a change is the size and length of the program.The first SAGE program in 1983 had 42 students and lasted six weeks. Incontrast, the 25 SAGE program had 24 students and lasted three weeks,allowing each student to have hands on experience and individualattention without completely exhausting the instructors.The original SAGE was intended for students of participating facultyonly. Now, student diversity is a main goal and is oft cited as one ofthe most valuable characteristics of the program. Though some of theforeign nationals in SAGE currently are studying in the United States,students from Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Germany, Sweden, andIndia have participated in SAGE.The structure of SAGE also has undergone change to ensure each studentgets the full experience. Instead of having one big group of studentsworking sequentially from project to project, students are split up intoteams and spread out around the area where SAGE is working at the time.In addition to the major support of the Department of Energy and theNational Science Foundation, a significant portion of SAGE is funded byindustry involvement. Companies support SAGE with funding, personneland the latest software and equipment. The Vibroesis truck was donatedto SAGE by the executive vice president of Input/Output, a former SAGEstudent himself.Companies are in turn invited to send representatives to SAGE to talkto, work with, and help teach students. Representatives promote jobopportunities in the field and bring a sense of reality to the work."We're really interested in this experience," said Betsy Torrez, geosciencerecruiting coordinator from ConocoPhillips. "We want to help outand enhance the program here, as well as offer career opportunities."After 25 years, SAGE is running like clockwork. It's had its own "downyears," said Baldridge, but it survived with support from the industriesinvested in SAGE. And like a fine wine, SAGE is only improving thanks tothe faculty's dedication to providing the students' with a quality experience,and the general willingness to be flexible.

by Caryn Johansen
LOS Alamos Newsletter, Week of October 22, 2007