Department of Geosciences

In 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, approximately 46,200 plantations were using enslaved labor across the United States. At least 45% of plantations had twenty enslaved workers, and 5% had at least 100 (Vlach, 1993). With such widespread activity, what was the impact on Earth’s systems, and how do we measure it? These questions are at the center of my graduate research at Baylor University.

Baylor researchers have expertise in a wide variety of areas. Students at three area public schools got to learn that firsthand last week, when BU faculty and students visited with elementary, middle and high school-aged scientists to highlight National STEM Day through hands-on learning activities.

In recent years, Baylor has brought some of its outstanding faculty and their students to local schools for National STEM Day to make science come alive and encourage kids to think about college and careers in the STEM fields. It’s a mission that aligns with the day itself, which celebrates discovery and innovation that sparks interest in future science careers.

Baylor University on Monday formally transferred ownership of thousands of Columbian mammoth fossils and excavation photographs discovered near Waco more than 40 years ago to the National Park Service, a move that may streamline access for researchers.

Baylor President Linda Livingstone and National Park Service Acting Superintendent Christine Jacobs signed the agreement next to the bronze mammoth sculptures in front of the Mayborn Museum, 1300 S. University Parks Drive.

Discover the secrets of 20-million-year-old botanical fossils from the site of Koru in western Kenya with scientist Venanzio Munyaka! In this episode of Lunch Break Science, we explore what these fossils tell us about the climate, vegetation, and early ape evolution in this diverse Early Miocene ecosystem.