����

Just in time for the holiday season, a new children’s coloring book is offering a unique, hands-on way for young girls and boys to explore the world of science, featuring a prominent glaciologist from С���� Boulder.

, a research scientist at the , is one of the "Extraordinary Women" highlighted in a new book designed to showcase female role models across various fields, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Banwell, who specializes in the study of glaciers, said the opportunity was an unexpected but welcome surprise.

“Me?! In a coloring book? Why?” Banwell recalled thinking when first presented with the idea. “But also, I thought, this sounds like a cool opportunity to do some important research-related outreach as well to help inspire girls to picture themselves in STEM careers, too.

The coloring page dedicated to Banwell depicts her in her element: rugged field gear, expertly drilling a deep hole into the dense Antarctic ice. This particular image, which is based on a photograph taken on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, captures a key aspect of her work.

"In my coloring page, I’m drilling a deep hole into glacier ice to install a long aluminum pole," Banwell explained. "We mount geophysical instruments on these poles—such as high-precision GPS units, weather stations and time-lapse cameras—to measure how the glacier moves and changes over time, particularly in response to climate change."

The collaboration came about after the book’s author, whom Banwell did not know previously, discovered her on LinkedIn a few years ago. The connection initially led to an interview for a podcast series focused on "extraordinary women," which later evolved into the coloring book feature.

For Banwell, the decision to participate was driven by a powerful desire to increase the visibility of women in polar science.

"I chose to participate because one of the most meaningful ways to encourage girls of all backgrounds to pursue STEM is by providing visible role models," she said. "In Antarctic field research, female leadership is still relatively rare, so I feel it’s important for girls to see that women can and do lead world-class science in polar environments as well as others."

Research has shown that girls' engagement in STEM subjects, and later women’s participation in STEM careers, often declines with age. Banwell hopes this fun, educational book can help counteract that trend.

"I hope that being part of this book helps to spark that curiosity and confidence in the next generation," she concluded.

The coloring book, suitable for kids aged 3–12, is��available now, providing a perfect gift to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and adventurers this holiday season.