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Outreach and service are now recognized by many of the large funding agencies as being complementary to any scientific endeavor. As scientists we are increasingly called upon to share the results of our research with the public. This direct engagement of scientists in education and outreach is critical to increasing public understanding of science related issues that affect their lives, with the ultimate goal of allowing them to make informed decisions on issues facing our planet and its people.
I am a strong proponent of merging science and outreach in my own program and have worked hard to foster a relationship with the American Indian Research Office (AIRO) here at MSU to support Native American participation in scientific research. Over the past few years I have hosted students from the Minority Apprentice (MAP) and Bridges Programs in the laboratory during the summer months, and given presentations to the Designing our Community Seminar in the College of Engineering. This partnership not only benefits the AIRO students, but provides an opportunity for graduate students to improve their communication and teaching skills.
Another avenue of outreach in which I am involved seeks to improve our understanding of the polar regions. Because of the extreme nature of polar research, it is quite exciting and appealing to the public. Capitalizing on this excitement provides the opportunity to discuss topics such as global change and the carbon cycle to broader audiences. I have done this on a small scale by giving talks to elementary schools and participating in podcasts from Antarctica.
In celebration of the International Polar Year I was actively involved with Polar Palooza, a multi-media tour of science centers, museums, libraries and schools under the title Stories from a Changing Planet http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/. In October of 2007 I gave talks to a minority elementary school in Albuquerque, New Mexico; to over 600 students at the Albuquerque Zoo; was interviewed in a PBS show, “In Focus;” and two performances of Stories from a Changing Planet at the NM Museum of Natural History. Other sites including, Cleveland, Salt Lake City and Houston, provided additional venues for sharing science with wide audiences and raising public awareness of the importance of scientific research.
Outreach Activities
“Living Ice” a documentary film and "Pond water popsicles" a classroom activity developed in conjunction with the MSU Film Program and the Big Sky Institute. J. Mikucki, J. Priscu, C. Foreman, B. Christner, N. T. Stevens and Lisa Graumlich. 2004.
L.A. Weekly article by M. Wertheim describing Antarctic Scientists. February 2005. http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/11/features-wertheim.php
Mentored an American Indian Research Opportunities High School Student, Michael Doyle, during the summer of 2005.
Web-cast to fifth graders at the Science Museum of Virginia from McMurdo Station, Antarctica 13 December 2005. http://www.richmond.com/education/output.aspx?Article_ID=4033000&Vertical_ID=155&tier=20&position=1
Web-cast to El Capitan, CA High School students from McMurdo Station, Antarctica 13 December 2005.
Sponsored Dena Rosenberger, a high school science teacher, to accompany our research field team in the Antarctic. Nov 2005- Jan 2006. Dena’s journal can be found at: http://www.arcus.org/TREC/VBC/index.php?showforum=49, and has received over 90,000 hits to date. An NPR Pod-cast can be found at: http://odeo.com/audio/419475/view
In Cold Pursuit, by Sarah Andrews. 2007. A fictional science novel about forensic geology in Antarctica. Character in the novel based upon my work in Antarctica. I was given the honor of naming the character after my Mother and Mother-in-law.
Mentored an American Indian Tribal College student, Daniel Horn, Ft. Belknap Tribal College, Summer 2007. Photo of Dan in front of the Bridges group at the Leadership Alliance Conference.
Mentored an American Indian Tribal College student, Mervin Failing, Ft. Peck Community College, Summer 2008. He gave a presentation, “Response of Bacteria to Freezing”, at the National Leadership Alliance Conference, Hartford, CT July 2008, and received a best poster award and $500 at the 2008 SACNAS Conference, October 2008. Mervin also presented this work both orally and in poster form at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium's Annual Meeting in April 2009, Missoula, MT. See photo of Mervin presenting his research.
Associated Scientist, International Polar Year 2007-2009, Polar Palooza. Polar-Palooza took scientists and multimedia presentations on a national tour of science centers, museums, libraries and schools under the title Stories from a Changing Planet. High-definition video taped on location at the poles, audio and video podcasts, and special-education and outreach activities for targeted audiences augmented the live presentations. Stories from a Changing Planet provided diverse audiences with an opportunity to meet and interact directly with polar experts, and to appreciate why the poles and research done relate directly to their lives. http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/
Albuquerque, NM October 2007; Cleveland, OH September 2008, Salt Lake City October 2008, Houston, Texas locations January 2009.
As part of the Cotton Glacier project we hosted a Polar Trec teacher, Sarah Diers, on our 2009 Antarctic field team. Sarah had a website, http://www.polartrec.com/dissolved-organic-matter-in-antarctica, where you could to follow along with us on our adventures and view podcasts from the field. See our DOM logo below.
Mentored Terrence Gourneau through the MSU AIRO Ecology and Environmental Science Program.
Science is Cool! Peaks and Potentials Week long summer course for 20 5th – 7th grade students at MSU, June 21-25, 2010.
Montana Education Association Annual Conference, Helena, MT delivered 2 hour workshop, with hands-on activities. October, 2010.
National Science Teachers Symposia- "Clues to the Cryosphere," San Francisco, CA. 10-13 March 2011. 4 hr symposia with teachers, scientists, education coordinators and students and 6 follow-up talks. Photo below: Susan Kelly, Dr. Ross Powell, Linda Morris, Dr. Christine Foreman, Dr. Ed Brook and Louise Hoffman after the symposia.
Mentored an American Indian student, Kendra Teague, through the MSU Bridges to the Baccalaureate program. June-July 2011. Photo of Kendra presenting her research poster.
Invited scientist at Little Bighorn College Workshop, "Bringing Climate Literacy to the Classroom," 20-21 October 2011.
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