Outreach

Science has an important role to play in society. Scientific findings can help to shape more sustainable human-environment interactions, promoting the flourishing of human communities and the ecological systems within which they are embedded. There are many aspects of science outreach, including fostering science literacy and sharing scientific results with the public. Applied science may also be considered a form of outreach. In the Reynolds lab, we look for opportunities to engage in outreach that integrates our roles as ecologists, educators, and citizens.

Activities

Lilly Scholars

	Our lab hosts underrepresented high school students through the Lilly Scholars Program, sponsored by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. The goal of the program is to give students hands-on experience in scientific research and to encourage these students to pursue careers in science. Lilly Scholars join our lab for one week during the summer, during which time they perform their own ecological research project and create a poster to present to program participants, IU faculty and student mentors, and representatives from Eli Lilly. Our 2011 Lilly Scholars conducted two experiments to understand the impacts of invasive plants on native species. One experiment, funded through a grant from the Indiana Audubon Society, examined the impact of invasive species on small-mammal foraging behavior. The other experiment examined the role of invasive plant allelochemicals in suppressing native seed germination. Pictured from left to right are Adam Collins (Lilly Scholar), Gabriel Santiago (Lilly Scholar), and Rebecca Stoops (Undergraduate Cox Research Scholar in the Reynolds Lab).

Lilly Scholars

Our lab hosts underrepresented high school students through the Lilly Scholars Program, sponsored by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. The goal of the program is to give students hands-on experience in scientific research and to encourage these students to pursue careers in science. Lilly Scholars join our lab for one week during the summer, during which time they perform their own ecological research project and create a poster to present to program participants, IU faculty and student mentors, and representatives from Eli Lilly.

Our 2011 Lilly Scholars conducted two experiments to understand the impacts of invasive plants on native species. One experiment, funded through a grant from the Indiana Audubon Society, examined the impact of invasive species on small-mammal foraging behavior. The other experiment examined the role of invasive plant allelochemicals in suppressing native seed germination. Pictured from left to right are Adam Collins (Lilly Scholar), Gabriel Santiago (Lilly Scholar), and Rebecca Stoops (Undergraduate Cox Research Scholar in the Reynolds Lab).

Public Lectures

	We give outreach talks on a variety of topics (e.g. invasive species, biofuels, green infrastructure, steady state economics) and in a variety of forums (e.g. Sassafras Audubon Society, community invasive species conference, on-campus National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions, Habitat Stewards Training, Green Drinks Bloomington).

Science Literacy

	We review scripts for WFIU Public Media's syndicated radio program "A Moment of Science" (AMOS), which asks and answers questions about how the world works in an engaging short format. We have also contributed AMOS scripts through the service-learning course "Science & Society" (see Teaching).

"Prairie in the Planters"

	We helped to naturalize three planters behind the Biology building with native prairie plants, creating accompanying signage and literature. We enjoy maintaining this site with student groups such as Volunteers in Sustainability and the Biology Club. We've also mentored undergraduate research at the site investigating best practices for promoting diverse prairie plantings in a landscaping context. See http://www.bio.indiana.edu/about/green_team/prairie.shtml for more information about the "Prairie in the Planters."