Outreach
Diverse and inclusive science outreach and underwater access is a cornerstone of my current and future work. Please see my CV for a full list of activities, with highlights below.
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is a k12 extracurricular program where students compete on teams in 23 events across the many components of STEM. For the past two decades and counting, I first competed and now serve as Event Supervisor for invitational, regional, state, wildcard, and the national Science Olympiad tournaments. In this time, I have developed and run programming for primarily middle and high school students on genetics, cell biology, microbiology, forensics, and various organismal identification events. With the program’s Urban Schools Initiative, my work in Chicago has had a particular impact on students within Chicago Public Schools by serving yearly as a coordinator for their specific invitational and regional competitions. I look forward to continuing this work in the future and one day would like to get involved in coaching a local team.
Skype a Scientist
Addressing global access to science and scientists, the Skype a Scientist program matches scientists with classes of all kinds, ages, and size to chat about how they got where they are, what they study, and the challenges facing their field. A wonderful way of inspiring future scientists and showing off diverse role models, I have loved participating in this program. So far, I have chatted with multiple classes across the US and Canada from kindergarten through seniors in high school on evolution, cell biology, and ethics in genetics and had an absolutely wonderful time doing so! I can’t wait to see who I chat with next. If you’d like me to chat with your classroom, please reach out via my Contact page or email!
Chicago Undersea Explorers Society (CUES)
CUES is a 501(c)3 dedicated to fostering curiosity, camaraderie, and diversity through underwater education and exploration. As a founding member and elected founding Chair of the Board of Directors, as well Instructor and Chair of the Mission Committee, my role in the organization is to guide program development, secure funding for scholarships and activities, and develop community partnerships that help further both their goals and ours. We aim to diversify the Chicago-land and Northwest Indiana diving community and provide a home for divers who feel disconnected from traditional scuba demographics.