​Outreach and Teaching


​Teaching and mentoring is so important to me! I get so much satisfaction and pride from seeing other people getting excited about science and the natural world!

Activities and organizations that I have developed or participated in are described below. I love talking about this stuff, so definitely contact me if you want me to talk ideas!

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(This picture is of me at the Soils exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum! Gotta love nodules!)

Public Outreach
ClimateMusic Project
I am one of the science advisors for the ClimateMusic Project, which facilitates the creation of music that explicitly represents climate data - creating a visceral experience that communicates the urgency and magnitude of climate change. The compositions are a collaboration with scientists and artists - it's not a direct representation of the data, and it's not purely inspired by the science. The climate data provides constraints for the composer; for example, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could be represented by the tempo of the piece, and as [CO2] increases, the piece would speed up at a pace set by the data.
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​Center for Carbon Removal
I am collaborating with this non-profit to make agricultural ecosystems more carbon neutral.


500 Women Scientists
This group supports science and especially women in science. Check out their Request a Woman Scientist tool to increase the diversity of scientific voices at symposiums, on panels and in the news!

Post-Secondary
​Biogeochemical Modeling
I developed a carbon cycle modeling activity, which I used while I was a teaching assistant for a graduate class on Ecosystem Biogeochemistry (led by Dr. Ben Houlton). We discussed the uses and limitations of dynamical models, developed a box model of the carbon cycle, and ran simulations using a simple model I developed for this purpose. Modeling and programming experience are not necessary.


Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship Board Member
I am a board member for this science scholarship (for women), so I provided feedback on the application requirements and judging criteria. I am also having a blast watching (and rating) the application videos!

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K-12
Ecological Modeling using Algebra II
I visited high school Algebra II students to figure out how to predict atmospheric CO2 concentrations in the future by developing and solving a system of equations.


EnvironMentors
The mission of this project is “to mentor and motivate high school students underrepresented in the sciences as they conduct scientific research and acquire skills that will allow them to build careers and become active stewards of their communities and the environment.” I mentored a brilliant high school junior, Jamie, on a project looking at the effects of nutrients on water quality and plant growth. This project involved taking measurements of temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and pH multiple times a week, and complicated equations to calculate CO2 of the water! Jamie was a semi-finalist in the local science fair and competed in the finals in Washington, D.C!


​Science is Elementary
I visited an elementary school classroom monthly to help lead activities on scientific topics, including gears and water.

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Powerhouse Science Communication Fellowship
I am being trained in informal education to create and lead fun, interactive, content-rich learning activities for science museum visitors!