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.
