|
Field of study
Aquatic ecosystem ecology and microbial ecology
Advisor
George Kling
Kling Lab
News
EEB students judge SE Mich Science Fair
Sarah Barbrow, Jasmine Crumsey and Liz Wason helped judge the Southeast Michigan Science Fair at Washtenaw Community College on Friday, March 13 for students in grades six – 12.
“I think it’s important to remember that future scientists are today's kids,” said Crumsey. “Thus, encouragement of scientific thought and practice along with recognition of their hard work is important to ensuring the livelihood of our field in the long term.”
“How much ethanol can you produce from a week of kitchen compost waste? How does dendrochronology work? How does a water mill work (and can I build one)? There was a really diverse collection of project topics, with interesting and often very creative ways to 'test' hypotheses about their questions,” said Barbrow.
Wason likes seeing the thought process and achievements of the students. “This kind of event is also a good reminder of the bare bones of the scientific method, as well as the importance of conveying scientific results in effective ways that are easy to understand,” she said. Wason and Barbrow judged models and collections; Crumsey judged the life science exhibits.
Grads chill with fifth graders
An enterprising fifth grader at Thurston Elementary School in Ann Arbor emailed EEB because her classmates had argued about global warming. She wondered if someone could stop by to help them all chill out.
Doctoral students Sarah Barbrow and Jasmine Crumsey visited the classroom of Dr. Sherry Murphy. They discussed what climate change is, its causes, implications and impacts and how we can minimize our personal impacts.
“The fifth graders in Dr. Murphy's class are incredibly intelligent, curious, and inspired,” said Barbrow. “They already had a solid handle on why climate change is something we, as a society, have to deal with. They wanted to hear a bit more about why it is happening and what they can do about it. We were both very impressed with their enthusiasm and perspectives.”
Barbrow and Crumsey did an activity with the students, a global warming wheel card from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Murphy said their visit had an enormous impact on her students and she's looking forward to seeing them next year.
|
