OutreachAs a scientist and a citizen of the world, I strive to promote the understanding of science to the general public through a variety of activities such as public talks, school visits (virtual and in-person), out-of-the-classroom activities, participating in science communication events and science fairs, and other collaborative efforts with scientists and educators. In addition to promote diversity and inclusion of historically underrepresented groups in science, my objective is to engage and educate members of the community while at the same time sharing my excitement for biology and the importance of scientific research. Some of the activities I have been part of are listed below:
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The Urban Assembly Maker Academy
New York City, NY In October 2020, I had the opportunity to visit (virtually, of course) the "Living Environment" (10th Grade) class at the UA Maker Academy in New York City. Together with their teacher, Mr. Justin Grimm-Greenblatt, we wanted to give students the opportunity to meet a real scientist and learn about the field of herpetology, frog behavior, and the importance of frogs in the environment. After talking about my research and my journey in science, we engaged in a Q & A session, where students could ask any frog-related question. |
Community Health Academy of the Heights
New York City, NY In December 2016, I was invited by Ms. Morgan Clark and Mr. Justin Grimm-Greenblatt to talk to their Science and Environment classes at the Community Health Academy of the Heights. The day was dedicated to teaching high schoolers, predominantly Hispanic, about Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx in STEM. I talked to the Environmental Science Class (APES), 9th Grade in General Biology Class, 9th Grade English Language Learners Biology Class, and 9th Grade Individual Education Plans Biology Class (special needs). The goal was to foster interest in STEM in underrepresented groups. Before I talked to the students about my experience as a woman and as a Latin-American scientist, I told Ms. Clark and Mr. Grimm-Greenblatt to ask them to write down their own definition of a scientist. We made a word cloud with the words they used, and the results were very interesting. On the top left, the words old, white, lab coat, and chemicals stand out. We repeated the exercise after I had talked to the students, and the resulting word cloud shows significant differences (bottom left). The words person, anything, different and normal are now the more common words used by the students to define a scientist. For most of these students, the lack of representation of Latin-Americans in their field of interest becomes the very obstacle to pursue their objectives. Realizing that someone with a similar background has overcome challenges changes their expectations of what they can achieve. |
Connecticut State BioBlitz 2016
East Hartford, Connecticut CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School graciously hosted the 2016 Connecticut State BioBlitz. A BioBlitz is a biological survey, in which several scientists accompanied by local naturalists and volunteers, attempt to record every species found within a particular area. For 24 hours straight, middle school students, members of the community and more than a hundred scientists got together to collect and identify as many species as possible in the Greater Hartford area. Armed with nothing more but our headlamps, the Herpetology team found 17 species of herps (amphibians and reptiles). In total, 2675 species were documented. Literally, a record-breaking number! |
Franklin Elementary School
Franklin, Connecticut A group of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate students at the University of Connecticut, independently organized and led and outreach activity at Franklin Elementary School. We taught 3rd and 4th graders about environmental and feeding adaptations in animals, and food webs. Kids got to learn about —and in some cases, meet— insects, birds, plants, parasites, bats, sharks, plankton and of course, herps! (a.k.a. amphibians and reptiles). |
Joshua’s Trust Program – “Surviving Winter”
Windham, Connecticut As part of the efforts of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UConn to increase public awareness and appreciation for the Woodlands, I participated in the "Surviving Winter" Program, a family day event at Joshua Trust's Allanach-Wolf Woodlands. The event included exhibits and demonstrations of how animals found in the forest and nearby ponds survive the cold. I was in charge of the mammal station. Children of all ages joined us on a cold December day to learn about beavers dams, the concept of hibernation and other interest facts about mammals and winter. |
Save The Frogs Day
Storrs, Connecticut Save The Frogs Day takes place the last Saturday of April every year, with independent events happening worldwide. The objective of this event is to spread the word about the importance of amphibians and their conservation. From 2011 until 2016, I organized the "Save The Frogs Day at UConn" event in collaboration with the UConn Herpetological Society. Through educational materials, games, posters, and exhibits about the local amphibian fauna, we taught students and other community members why we should care for amphibians and what we can do to protect them. |