Marisa Tillery, a biomedical sciences graduate student in the lab of Timothy Megraw, received a COMPASS Outreach Award to engage the public in an appreciation of science. These small grants, awarded to American Society for Cell Biology members in a competitive application process, are intended to foster excitement about cell biology and enhance perceptions of scientists and the benefits they bring to society.

The award will help cover the costs of outreach activities inviting children to build functional microscopes out of LEGO blocks.

Tillery, who serves as outreach coordinator for the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Association, said the goals are to introduce "accessible science" to K-12 children locally, and get them excited about pursuing STEM disciplines. The effort also provides graduate students an opportunity to talk about their work and give them practice explaining their research to a non-specialist audience.

The LEGOscopes will be introduced to students at the Tallahassee Science Festival, Oct. 19 at Kleman Plaza in Tallahassee, but will also be used at other outreach events.

"Although the event is open to all ages and abilities of individuals in the Tallahassee regional community, the event is geared toward K-12 children and the introduction of various STEM concepts at a basic level," Tillery said. "From past experience, we note that adults often like to get in on the fun, as well!"

The group's aim is to make science user-friendly by demonstrating ways that everyone can do it.

"This outreach presents scientists as approachable, everyday people and also offers an opportunity for the community to interact with local graduate students, eliciting positive interactions between the two groups and benefiting both," Tillery said. "Event-goers will benefit by being able to put a face to abstract spending dollars, and they will also become more familiar with the science done on their behalf. Additionally, they are encouraged to be inquisitive and creative - both necessary qualities of a successful scientist."

The group also wants to let people know that high-tech, inaccessible equipment does not have to be a prerequisite for good science.

"Often, all it takes is an inquisitive mind and a willingness to try something new," Tillery said.

In case you missed them, here are some recent news items about the College of Medicine and its faculty and students.
 

• On Tuesday, Sept 10, Sabal Palm Elementary officially announced its status as Tallahassee’s first community partnership school. Leon County Schools, the Florida A&M College of Education, FSU PrimaryHealth and the Children’s Home Society of Florida made a 25-year commitment to the school. The partners will work together to provide a wide variety of academic support, enrichment opportunities and medical care for the students, the students’ families and the surrounding community.
  
  Tallahassee Democrat: ‘A really long time coming’: Sabal Palm becomes a community partnership school

• Dance Marathon at FSU and Children’s Miracle Network at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital presented a check for more than $1 million to the FSU College of Medicine for the benefit of children throughout Gadsden and Leon counties. The proceeds are part of the record $2.21 million raised earlier this year by Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy on the FSU campus.
  
  FSU News: video and audio
  
  WTXL: FSU College of Medicine presented with $1 million check
  
  Tallahassee Democrat: Dance Marathon at FSU moves result in more than $1-million share for med school
  
  
   
• At the White Coat Ceremony in August, members of the College of Medicine’s M.D. Class of 2023 received their white coats, and 18 members of the Class of 2020 were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
  
  FSU News: College of Medicine White Coat Ceremony (video)
  
  At the ceremony, fourth-year med student and Gold Humanism inductee Efe Cudjoe spoke to WTXL about fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a physician.
  
  WTXL: FSU produces diverse class of medical students (video)

• A team of FSU researchers has received a $2.9 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to identify new ways to detect and treat age-related cognitive decline and dementia. The research team includes College of Medicine Professor Antonio Terracciano.
  
  FSU News: FSU research team receives $2.9 million to examine early detection of dementia

• Alma Littles, Yolany Hyde, Antonio Terracciano, Tim Megraw and Robert Tomko were included in FSU’s August 2019 Faculty and Staff Briefs recognizing honors, awards, bylines, grants, service and other notable achievements.
  
  FSU News: Faculty and Staff Briefs: August 2019
   

• The College of Medicine’s Bridge Program received a 2019 Inspiriting Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine. The award goes annually to “programs that encourage and inspire a new generation of young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”
  
  Insight Into Diversity: Full list of 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners
  
  FSU News: College of Medicine’s Bridge Program recognized as diverse and inspiring

• Alma Littles, the FSU College of Medicine’s chief academic officer, was honored by the American Medical Women’s Association in July with the Elizabeth Blackwell Award. The award is given annually to the woman physician who has made the most outstanding contribution to the cause of women in the field of medicine.
  
  Tallahassee Democrat: FSU med school’s Alma Littles honored for advancing women in medicine
  
  
   
• In Florida, an estimated 17 people die every day from opioid abuse. To combat the issue, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Gov. Ron DeSantis have created a new statewide task force. Heather Flynn, professor and vice chair at the FSU College of Medicine, was appointed to the task force.
  
  WFSU: North Florida appointees join task force to stop opioid epidemic
  
  
   
• Myron Rolle, current neurosurgery resident and 2017 College of Medicine graduate, is a team member of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health Office of Global Disaster Response. The 10-person team was scheduled to arrive in the Bahamas on Sept. 11 to support residents affected by Hurricane Dorian.
  
  USA Today: Former FSU star Myron Rolle, now a doctor, part of global disaster response team in Bahamas
  
  Tallahassee Democrat: Rolle believes 'we are making an impact' in relief efforts in the Bahamas

• For the past four years, FSU has participated in the Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy to provide local teens with a summer employment experience. Carolyn Blue, a senior administrative specialist at the College of Medicine, was selected as one of four recipients of this year’s TFLA Outstanding Mentor Award.
  
  FSU News: FSU employee wins 2019 TFLA Outstanding Mentor Award

• College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty sat down with the Florida Chamber of Commerce last month to discuss the next generation of health-care professionals and meeting the educational needs of that generation.
  
  Florida Chamber: FSU’s Dr. Fogarty discusses next generation of healthcare professionals (video)
  
  
   
• College of Medicine Professor Judy Muller-Delp was interviewed about high plasma aldosterone, a risk factor for cardiac mortality, and the underlying mechanisms that link it to cardiac ischemic events.
  
  AJP-Heart and Circulatory Podcast (audio)
  
  
   
• College of Medicine Professor George Rust is using big-data analytics to bridge the gaps in cancer diagnosis and treatment. He was recently interviewed by FSU Headlines about his efforts to tackle cancer disparities.
  
  FSU Headlines: College of Medicine research tackles cancer disparities (audio)