Chemistry Professor Works with Students on Dating Methods

Dr. Mary Gurnick and two of her students are working with a VCU professor of archeology on dating ceramics. Students are looking at water absorption in various pieces as a means to determine how old they are, since the carbon dating technique can’t be used for ceramics. Dr. Gurnick says projects like this are a good experience for STEM students, because it teaches them to solve problems, network with scientists and learn what’s involved in research.