ESP Biography



GABRIELA FARFAN, ESP Teacher



Major: GES

College/Employer: Stanford

Year of Graduation: 2013

Picture of Gabriela Farfan

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Hello! My name is Gabriela Farfan and I am a Senior at Stanford. My major is Geological and Environmental Sciences and I am currently applying to Ph.D. programs in geology. I have been interested in minerals and gemstones since elementary school. What attracted me to them at first was their color, so Elizabeth and I thought that it would be a great to teach people about what causes color in minerals and other objects in our lives. I think that you will find the science behind this basic question fascinating.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

P2691: Careers in Color & Other Attributes of Gems in Splash! Spring 2013 (Apr. 13 - 14, 2013)
Ever wanted to learn how gemologists distinguish diamond from cubic zirconium? We'll cover that and much more! First, we introduce you to methods gemologists use to identify gems. Then, we let you use these methods. Finally, you solve three paper-based scenarios, including distinguishing synthetic from natural emerald, where your group is given a limited budget and a list of tests that can be preformed and you all decide which ones to do and how to interpret the results. Designed with Jingshi Wu.


P2707: Color in Living Systems and Minerals/Gems in Splash! Spring 2013 (Apr. 13 - 14, 2013)
Have you ever wondered why you see colors in the world around you? Why ruby is red and grass is green? We'll discuss color chemistry, what in these systems it is that you are seeing. Note: this class is class meant for those who didn't take our class "color in living systems and minerals" in the fall. Designed with Gabriela Farfan.


P2987: Identifying Minerals and Gems in Splash! Spring 2013 (Apr. 13 - 14, 2013)
Have you ever wondered why and how geologists and gemologists identify minerals and gems? In this class, we will discuss why geologists are interested in identifying minerals. Then, you will develop a gemological and geological toolkit, including hardness testing, and identify minerals and gems using this toolkit!


P2406: Color in Living Systems and Minerals/Gems in Splash! Fall 2012 (Nov. 03 - 04, 2012)
Ever wondered about the colors in your life... why the grass is green while a ruby is red? Let's learn about the main sources of color in both living systems and minerals/gems, since the fundamental interaction of light and matter to produce color is not very different in either system. Finally, you will identity the source of color in a plant and in a mineral based on its structure. A background in high school chemistry is necessary for this class.