It took more than childhood dreams for Denver woman to become a paleontologist
Sadie Sherman is a Denver Basin Project Fossil Preparator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Name: Sadie Sherman
Title: Denver Basin Project Fossil Preparator
Education: BS in Biology from the University of Alberta
About Denver Museum of Nature & Science: A natural history museum focused on igniting our community's passion for nature and science.
Tell us more about your job.
As a preparator, it is my job to dig new fossils from the ground and bring them back to the Museum where I delicately remove the dirt and rock from the bones. Once the fossils are clean, I also build archival cradles to protect the fossils during transport and storage in our collections.
Why is STEM important within your industry?
STEM and STEM research is the driving force behind everything we do in the fossil preparation lab. We practice intentionality when choosing what to bring back to our collections, prioritizing the collection of specimens that can be used for current in-house research. Before we can use what we collect from nature to answer scientific questions about the history of life on Earth, each specimen must be cleaned and made visible, and that is what we do in the preparation lab.
Was there a specific moment when you decided you wanted to pursue STEM as a career?
According to my parents, I was three years old when I decided I wanted to be a paleontologist when I grew up. I have wanted a career in STEM for as long as I can remember.
What do you like best about your job?
There are many things I like about my job, so it is hard to choose a favorite! But being able to engage in the generation of new knowledge and then share that information with a wide audience is one of my favorite and most rewarding parts.
What are the most important skills needed in your job?
It is important to have good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail. Removing rock and dirt from fossils can be tedious and fossils are delicate, so it is valuable to have fine motor skills. It is also important to work well in a team because many activities, especially field work, require large group efforts to accomplish our goals.
Have there been times in your career where you've faced difficult challenges and how were you able to overcome them?
In the past, I had trouble during field work where I felt stressed and unsupported. I reached out to my supervisor about my issues, and she gave me the support and advice I needed to resolve my challenges. In times when difficulties arise, it is important to communicate with your support network so they can be aware of your situation and help you.
What advice would you give to girls of all ages who are interested in STEM?
My advice is to get involved in any way you can! Whether that be volunteering, interning, engaging with STEM research online, or any other available opportunity. Building experience in STEM this way will help develop your interests and can guide you toward a career in STEM. This is what helped me since I began as a volunteer and intern before being hired as a preparator.
Police in Denver are asking for help locating a minivan they believe was involved in a hit and run.
There is a new warning to anyone planning to use blue U.S. Postal Service collection boxes to send property tax payments.
New federal laws requiring low levels of PFAS – also called "forever chemicals" – in public drinking water are creating major financial burdens for many water districts nationwide, which experts say will ultimately lead to higher water bills for customers in many areas.
A Walmart Neighborhood Market in Aurora will close for good in early June, and many people say it's a devastating decision that will impact their lives in many ways.
Now, as a 17-year-old junior at Vista PEAK Preparatory School in Aurora, Ethan Hay's hobby has become serious competition.
Police in Denver are asking for help locating a minivan they believe was involved in a hit-and-run.
Airbnb is taking steps to reduce the risk of disruptive parties in Colorado over the Memorial Day weekend.
Denver International Airport is preparing for record-breaking travel over Memorial Day weekend.
Watch meteorologist Callie Zanandrie's forecast.
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning spoke to reporters in Denver on Wednesday night.
Butker shared controversial thoughts on many topics during his speech — Pride month, COVID-19 and women in the workplace among them.
Now, as a 17-year-old junior at Vista PEAK Preparatory School in Aurora, Ethan Hay's hobby has become serious competition.
Michael Porter Jr. says if he had "played his part," the Nuggets would probably be the ones preparing to host the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals this week instead of the Timberwolves.
Few if any can match Danny Manning's incredible college basketball career. He won a national championship, was widely honored as college basketball's player of the year in 1988 and still remains Kansas' all-time leading scorer by a whopping 800 points.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confronted Kyle Busch in the pits, then threw a punch, igniting a scuffle that involved members of both crews.
Butker shared controversial thoughts on many topics during his speech — Pride month, COVID-19 and women in the workplace among them.
The bill is likely to fail for a second time, but Democrats will try to use Republicans' resistance to shift the narrative on border security in their favor.
The Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit accusing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation of illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry.
Trump's attorneys and aide Walt Nauta sparred with prosecutors during hearing in case involving Trump's handling of classified records.
Hunter Biden's California tax fraud trial was originally scheduled to take place in June.
The bill is likely to fail for a second time, but Democrats will try to use Republicans' resistance to shift the narrative on border security in their favor.
The Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit accusing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation of illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry.
Trump's attorneys and aide Walt Nauta sparred with prosecutors during hearing in case involving Trump's handling of classified records.
Hunter Biden's California tax fraud trial was originally scheduled to take place in June.
Viewers of CBS Colorado's Congressional District 4 Republican primary debate will likely see some tense moments, as candidates hoping to stand out against Lauren Boebert are expected to go on the attack.
The clinic is not the only health center dealing with this issue. Within the past year, 500,000 people in Colorado were disenrolled from Medicaid due to no longer meeting eligibility criteria.
Siblings who moved to Colorado now share another special bond after one decided to donate a kidney to the other.
Singer and actor Nick Jonas says these three things help him take care of his mental health as part of his Type 1 diabetes management.
A Michigan farmworker has been diagnosed with bird flu after being in contact with cows presumed to be infected, state health officials announced in a statement Wednesday.
A grant from the EPA is opening the door for public health officials in Jefferson County to operate nearly a dozen air quality monitors in disproportionately impacted areas.
The European Union fined Mondelez, the U.S. confectioner behind major brands including Oreo, 337.5 million euros ($366 million) for restricting sales of products within the 27-country bloc.
A Walmart Neighborhood Market in Aurora will close for good in early June, and many people say it's a devastating decision that will impact their lives in many ways.
The Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit accusing Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation of illegally monopolizing the live entertainment industry.
The air travel service rolls out "white paw treatment" for dogs. Human passengers come second.
The Biden administration says it has now wiped away $167 billion of student loans for 4.75 million people, or 1 in every 10 borrowers.
From blazers to shoes, women of all shapes and sizes enjoyed a free shopping spree. Some were even able to get a makeover.
This week Denver city officials celebrated the opening of 49 new affordable condos in the Five Points neighborhood.
"Happiness, peace, and dreams aren't for other communities. These goals are accessible to us as well," one grant recipient said. "I was so proud, because I realized in that moment I was breaking a cycle."
Investors are now closely watching what is happening in the Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East because of its impact on their investments.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet when money is tight can be tough. And it's no secret that food costs have skyrocketed within the past year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food costs in 2023 rose 5.8%.