More Native American scientists and engineers, that is.

The young dancer/scientist… Today’s post is from Alexandrea Bowman.

Life is not really about end results. It is about the journey and the way we each choose to live our lives. We are shaped and molded by the people we meet, the things we learn, and everything that we experience. The entire Universe is filled with strange and wonderful objects just waiting to tell an individual story.

“The Road Less Traveled” by Robert Frost has always been one of my favorite poems, and I do think it really explains my journey through life. I took the path less traveled. I was always a good student, but I started to lose interest when I got to high school. My teachers didn’t seem interested in teaching, and many bright teenagers ended up lost in the system. When I went to college, though, I met wonderful professors who mentored me and advised me. I chose a career in Earth Science because my mentors were passionate about this subject in my classes. They explained what any one of us could do with a degree in Earth Science. And they made learning fun. Now, I am preparing for graduate school and what I hope will be a new and wonderful experience. And so my story does prove that anyone who has a dream can live that dream, if they are willing to work for it.

“The Road Less Traveled” is not an easy one. I have met people who have tried to discourage me from continuing on, but I have met many more who have been extremely supportive. And it is that support group that has helped me through the difficult times. Like anything else in life, science can be a very difficult field. It takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. I have accomplished many academic achievements while at Queens College, because I was determined and had a wonderful group of mentors who worked with me.

Finally, it is important for everyone to remember that Charles Darwin had a “C” average in college, and it was only a chance cancellation that got him his position on the HMS Beagle. And Albert Einstein actually failed the first entrance exam he took for college. What Darwin and Einstein both had in common, though, was a passion for learning that helped them meet their challenges. And indeed that is a scientist’s greatest asset. Anyone can become a scientist, if they want to.

No elevator necessary…. As children, we all look up at the stars and down at the rocks and insects. We all want to reach out to any animals we see around us. We all create simple “experiments” to test things we think might be true. It’s only when someone actually grows up to become a scientist or engineer that these stories take on a greater weight, are seen as harbingers of wondrous things that were always meant to be. But, as our friend Rich Robinson says, “anyone can be a scientist.” It’s just a matter of how strongly that impulse burns in us… and how determined we are to pursue it.

Alexandrea Bowman is the perfect embodiment of the idea that wonder and curiosity don’t come with their own yellow brick road, but that you have to carve out your own path to cultivate them as you can. Alex, like most of our “Secret Lifers,” was passionately drawn to science from the time she was about 10 years old. After high school, she got her Associate’s degree, but then she took a break in her education. During this time, Alex entered the world of work, holding jobs with the Boy Scouts, the ASPCA, and Pfizer. Her next step was to re-start her education—she enrolled at Queens College (part of the City University of New York) to study environmental biology. Again, though, after a short while, Alex had to go back to work—for the next three and a half years, she worked as an elevator dispatcher, coordinating the elevators in multiple busy New York City buildings. It was a very stressful job. (“When you’re an elevator dispatcher,” Alex told us, “you have the building managers yelling at you, your boss yelling at you, and the elevator mechanics yelling at you.”) Finally, Alex re-enrolled at Queens College and began her study of geology. Now, at the age of 32, she’s preparing to complete her Bachelor’s degree, move onto graduate school and make a career for herself as a research geologist. And in spite of the bumps on her road, Alex only sees the positives:

“There are advantages to being older when you go back to school—because you’re more focused, and you know what it is that you want, and your professors tend to take you more seriously. They know that you’re there because you want to be there—not because your parents are forcing you to be there. I did have a professor who was my age—that was a little weird. But he was a very good mineralogist, and I learned a lot from him.”

Clearly, Alex always had the fire to be a scientist—she just had to make her own way.

Watch her videos, follow her links, ask her questions.

UPDATE: We are no longer taking new questions for Alexandrea. But check out the Q&A below—Alexandrea may have given an answer to something you wanted to ask.

Q: Jackenson Durand Do you think that Earth magnetic field has been contributing to our biodiversities creation and evolution?

A: Alexandrea Hi Jackenson,

From what I have read the Earth’s magnetic field does protect life from harmful rays. I do not know enough about it to say whether or not it has contributed to biodiversity on a large scale. However, given that the Earth’s magnetism has created a protective shield and really helped prevent water and oxygen from leaving the Earth’s surface, I would have to say that life in general would not be possible on Earth without a magnetic field. I do not know how that has affected DNA / RNA, or if it had any impact on evolution.

Sincerely, Alexandrea

Q: Ken Subject: Geology and American Indian books Alexandrea:

Hello. I have three questions for you:

I recently finished “Reading the Rocks” by Marcia Bjornerud. I also enjoy watching “How the Earth was Made” on the History Channel. I have also read “Rising From the Plains” by John McPhee.

I am currently reading “One Vast Winter Count” by Colin G. Calloway. Last year I finished “1491” by Charles C. Mann who mentioned the “Winter Count” book. I also enjoyed the Ken Burns series “The West”.

1. What would be a good geology book to read next?

2. What would be a good American Indian book to read next? You can include fictional stories, too. But, I would like a history book recommendation.

3. I have heard and read that “American Indian” is commonly used by the people who are descended from the people who were here in North America before Europeans to describe themselves - which is why I used it. Maybe you can also comment on your feelings about this. I like the term “First Nations” the best. It is used in Canada. What do you think?

Sincerely, Ken Andrews

p.s. Thanks for sharing your story here. I found it posted on Facebook because I am a fan of NOVA.

A: Alexandrea Hi Ken,

A good geology book to read - As I have read mostly geology texts - I am not sure about. If you are looking for just a regular book, I can do some research and look for one. As far as regular books go I really enjoyed “The Desert Smells Like Rain” by Gary Paul Nabhan, and of course there is Charles Darwin, “The Voyage of the HMS Beagle” - They both have some mention of geology in them. The first also describes Native American Culture along the Texas-Mexico border. The second book is Charles Darwin’s diary from the HMS Beagle. If you are interested in environmental books, “Collapse” and “Silent Spring” would be my top 2 suggestions.

For Native American books there is a long list of my favorites: “Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee”, “Black Elk Speaks”, and “Lakota Woman” are all considered history / biography books. For fiction: “American Indian Myths and Legends” is my all time favorite. And then there is “Spider Womans Granddaughter’s”, which is a collection of contemporary short stories.

What each Native American chooses to be called is an extremely personal choice. I prefer Native American, but a friend of mine prefers “Red Skin” for himself, other friends of mine use First American or “Skin” or “Indian”.

You are quite welcome, I had a great time being on NOVA.

Sincerely, Alexandrea

Q: Joseph Connolly Subject: Native People in Science Hello,

It was fantastic getting to listen to your story. I am Native, Onondaga, and working the the field of Aerospace Engineering. I just wanted to say thanks for getting the younger kids involved, you are a true inspiration for them. I do some work with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and it would be wonderful if you had the time to come and inspire these kids as well. I just got back from the National American Indian Science and Engineer Fair that they host. It is a wonderful event. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Nyawenh ha’

A: Alexandrea Hi Joseph,

I would love to get involved. It is so great to hear from another Native American who is in a “scientific” field. I am a member of AISES, I have not had the time to make it to a conference though. I can find out if there is anyway for us to get in touch outside of this website.

Thank you. For so long I have been saying how important it is for the younger generations to be interested in topics like this and our culture too. And role models are hard to find.

Sincerely, Alexandrea

Q: Sue Sylvester ALI!!! Congratulations!!! WOW! This is awesome!

We didn’t know that we were N.A. when we were growing up, either. But my French grandfather used to get drunk and talk about our family having the connection. Years later - in fact, seven years ago, my uncle told my sister and I that he’d done the research and we were N.A.! We are of the Algonquin Nation, through our French ancestors who came through Canada. But he threw it all out! (He was kinda eccentric…)

I’m still looking into it, when I have time away from job hunting. How were you DNA tested? I heard it’s expensive.

Best wishes, Sue

A: Alexandrea Hi Sue,

DNA testing has gone down in price. I think my test was $110. And the only reason why I did take it was because they promised they could link family members through the DNA test. My cousin had taken it and I figured let’s see how good they are. And in fact they did link us as relatives and even sent us eachothers e-mail address (which of course we had). All I had to do was order the test, swab the inside of my mouth and send it in. I also had the choice to add the result to the research project that National Geographic did. It was definately worth it. You can e-mail me and we can certainly talk more about this.

Sincerely, Alex