Ask Me, I'm a Scientist

Today was the marine lab open house, and I got to spend all day talking with community members, parents, kids, and other scientists about my research and about meiofauna. The kids got to explore what life is like between sediment grains in our 3D printed meiofauna ball pit and they got to see live bioturbation in action under UV light. It was a great day for science and scientific exploration. We had over 50 booths and tents set up, ranging from carnivorous plant displays to touch tanks with live animal specimens. Visitors even got to pilot one of our ROVs (remotely operated vehicles; think RC car but more expensive and made for scientific exploration and sample collection). Additionally, visitors could complete a science scavenger hunt by answering questions at specific booths. Visitors to my research space got to learn about a 46,000 year old nematode that entered a state called cryptobiosis (think extremely prolonged hibernation) and is the oldest nematode scientists have ever discovered. 

Opportunities like the open house are great ways for families to talk about and discover science together. While the public often considers museums, zoos, and aquariums the main spaces for family science education, universities and laboratories can also provide spaces for discovery and learning for all ages. If you or your family are interested in learning more about local science efforts, consider reaching out to your local university to see if they have scientific discovery days or open houses. I'm sure your local scientists would love to talk with you and your kids, grandkids, etc. about the great world around us.

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