Science Fest at Indiana University in Bloomington
IU hosts an annual science fest event for the surrounding community to learn about the natural sciences. Each year is a new opportunity to share my enthusiasm and fascination with reptiles with families in the community. Over the past 5 years, I have contributed activities on predator-prey interactions and the impacts of odors on animal behavior. In 2016, the segment was featured on public radio on WFHB FM (Firehouse Broadcasting) EcoReport with Bob Kissel. Listen here: wfhb.org
IU hosts an annual science fest event for the surrounding community to learn about the natural sciences. Each year is a new opportunity to share my enthusiasm and fascination with reptiles with families in the community. Over the past 5 years, I have contributed activities on predator-prey interactions and the impacts of odors on animal behavior. In 2016, the segment was featured on public radio on WFHB FM (Firehouse Broadcasting) EcoReport with Bob Kissel. Listen here: wfhb.org
Photo of Anolis sagrei brain by Ed Stanley @DrScanley
In 2017, kids matched odor molecules to olfactory receptors to make the lizard's brain light up using this circuit board (pictured above). Children and their families learned about how different receptors respond to different odors, and about the accessory olfactory organ called the vomeronasal, or Jacobson's, organ.
Foundations in Science & Math
The Foundations in Science and Math courses at IU are offered to high school students and taught by graduate students. I was invited to give a brief lesson on reptile adaptations in the Zoology (Animal Diversity) course.
The Foundations in Science and Math courses at IU are offered to high school students and taught by graduate students. I was invited to give a brief lesson on reptile adaptations in the Zoology (Animal Diversity) course.
|
Girls Inc. Science Week at Marble Hill Farm
Girls Inc. paired up with Marble Hill Farm (owned and operated by IU faculty Drs. Kip and Whitney Schlegel) for a week of science activities. Young ladies ranging from 12-16 years of age visited Marble Hill Farm to learn to record, make predictions about, and design experiments addressing research questions about the behavior of animals. All participants collaborated in small groups to design and run an experiment of their own in chickens, cattle and sheep. Then, students crafted a research poster to share their results with the other groups. Participants also learned about farm to table foods, pheromones, form and function of animal skulls, and learned to create natural dyes and paints, among other activities. |
|
|
Balfour Scholars Pre-college Academy
In 2014 I served as a counselor for Indiana University's Balfour Pre-College Academy for underprivileged and underrepresented high school seniors. The program offers students an opportunity to visit IU and experience a week in the life of an undergraduate. I delivered a STEM lecture to discuss opportunities for science undergraduates to become involved in research. I was also able to share a bit about my research on lizard morphology and behavior. Learn more about Balfour Scholars: Balfour Scholars Program |
|
The Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Inc.
An annual conference for science educators to learn about pedagogical methods for teaching science. At the conference I shared a natural selection game with elementary education teachers, developed in the Martins' lab. I provided instructions and ideas for teaching more advanced concepts by implementing slight modifications to the game. Learn more: HASTI
An annual conference for science educators to learn about pedagogical methods for teaching science. At the conference I shared a natural selection game with elementary education teachers, developed in the Martins' lab. I provided instructions and ideas for teaching more advanced concepts by implementing slight modifications to the game. Learn more: HASTI