OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Working in the lab can sometimes be grueling, so I like participating in outreach activities because it reminds me of how cool science is and that there are so many people that are interested in what we do as scientists. It makes me feel like I am a part of something important. I also like being able to take breaks from the lab to work with cute kids!
Here is a list of some of the activities I have been involved with. If you'd like more information, a few have links that you can visit, or feel free to contact me with questions. |
2014 Scientist Days at the Detroit Zoo
With the Portal to the Public program, I developed an activity station to engage with young children and teach them about my research. Dr. Rachelle Belanger (UDM) and I taught students (and their teachers and parents) about how our noses sense smell and how noses and the sense of smell can be damaged. We created a tangible model of odorants and receptors and also had vials of different smells for the students to experience to help describe our work. 2014 Neuroscience Fair at Michigan State University Along with another student of the MSU Neuroscience PhD Program, I ran a booth with activities highlighting receptive fields and touch in an outreach event geared toward children of the greater Lansing area. To learn more about the MSU Neuroscience Fair, visit the Neuroscience Program's Outreach Page. 2013 Take Your Child to Work Day at Michigan State University MSU has activities all over campus during TYCTWD. I participated with the Neuroscience Program's activities, which included looking at real brain specimens, identifying lab equipment, and brain related crafts! 2010-2012 Brain Awareness Weeks I prepared and delivered presentations to Mason High School, Eastern Lansing High School, and Lewton Elementary classrooms to get students excited about science and the brain. To learn more about Brain Awareness Week in general, visit the Society for Neuroscience's Outreach page. 2011 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum at Michigan State University I judged student oral presentations. To learn more about UURAF at Michigan State, visit their website. 2011 Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) Graduate school Preparation Workshops We developed and presented workshops about graduate school expectations and the application process to MSU undergraduates interested in graduate school in the sciences. Learn more about GWIS at their site. 2010 Girls Math and Science Conference at East Lansing High School Event coordination volunteer. This day brings middle school girls together with adults working in math and science fields. The adults lead the girls through activities and workshops designed to give them more exposure to what its like to work in these fields, and to encourage their involvement. 2010 Brain Bee at Michigan State University I prepared and delivered a presentation on Brain Facts material to area high school students in order to prepare them for the local and national Brain Bee competitions. Learn more about the MSU Brain Bee here, and the National Brain Bee here. The 2nd place winner from 2012 came from our MSU Bee! 2009 Michigan Brain Bee at Wayne State University I wrote questions for use in the competition. 2008 Regional Michigan Science Olympiad at Western Michigan University I designed an activity station for the competition. |