International Day of Women and Girls in Science
By Angela Tudico | National Archives News
A scientist performs X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to identify the pigments used in this watercolor of Fort Pierre. This supported its safe conservation treatment before being displayed as part of the “All American” exhibit. Photo by Lindsay Oakley.
WASHINGTON, February 10, 2023 — Tomorrow marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. At the National Archives, women use science every day to make significant contributions to preserving our cultural heritage–including the women of our Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab. From making our records available to researchers to determining how long a document can be safely displayed, the knowledge and application of a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) tools and concepts play an important role in preserving our archival records for generations to come.
Discover more about the research that scientists conduct at the Heritage Science Lab in this virtual tour of the space, and read about the agency’s first Fulbright scholar, Cancy Chu.
Staff and visiting Fulbright Scholar Cancy Chu (center) at the Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Photo by Bruce Marcot and Jennifer Herrmann.
Staff test a new colorimeter instrument with a sheet of color standards. Understanding how color shifts over time is an excellent way for scientists to see how materials change as they age and ensure we provide the best possible preservation conditions for records like documents and photographs. Photo by Beatriz Centeno-Pineiro.
Scientists and conservators use another type of artificial aging test, this time with light. This micro-fadometer uses high-intensity light for a short time, measuring changes undetectable to the human eye. This information helps us create light budgets for items as they are displayed or used for research. Photo by Lindsay Oakley.