So effectively, I match scientists with K through 12 classrooms for question and answer sessions with the scientist. IRA FLATOW: So what’s the idea behind the program? Basically to network with scientists via Skype? SARAH MCANULTY: Hey, thanks for having me. She’s a PhD candidate in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at University of Connecticut. Sarah McAnulty is the founder of Skype a Scientist. And it’s already connected real scientists with over 800 classrooms around the world. What’s the best way to do it? How about talking to kids? And my next guest wanted to represent that diversity of people and interests and areas of expertise and just get the message out, well, hey scientists are people. Well, if you listen to this show, you know that vision is pretty outdated and inaccurate and that scientists do a whole lot of different things, from researching the fluid dynamics of ketchup to the microbiome of squid to designing high tech wheels for the next Mars rover. There’s always a Bunsen burner, right, with some green liquid in the background, isn’t there? If you’ll indulge me for a second, I want you to close your eyes and picture a scientist, right? If you picture the Hollywood version, you see the typical scientist– what, white lab coat, geeky crazy hair. In this segment, McAnulty and Green talk about their experiences with the program, and why connecting scientists with students is more important than ever. One of the participants in the program (and also someone with a really cool job) is Emily Green, who works in an ant lab at the University of Connecticut. state, and in more than a dozen countries around the world. The program she founded, called Skype a Scientist, has already connected scientists to over 800 classrooms in nearly every U.S. Sarah McAnulty, a biologist who studies the microbiomes of squid at the University of Connecticut, says she wanted to change that stereotype by introducing schoolkids around the world to real, working scientists using videoconferencing tools like Skype and Google hangouts. But the way scientists often appear in popular culture is more akin to Einstein: older and male, with wild hair, and perhaps donning a white lab coat. All STEM teachers and homeschoolers should make SKYPE A SCIENTIST a key part of their teaching toolbox.y age.Scientists do incredibly cool things on the job: They simulate Mars missions on Hawaiian volcanoes, track polar bears from helicopters, and investigate the unusual fluid properties of substances like ketchup or queso. They also have recorded previous sessions on a YouTube channel. I love the fact that they have a wide variety of scientists and topics. They even host science trivia nights for adults and have a program called “Skype a Scientist Live” that runs once a month through May where you and/or your students can connect with a scientist through Skype. Teachers, groups and families can search through a list of specific scientists or request scientists from general categories of scientific topics. The website states, “We're connecting scientists with classrooms (and more) across the globe”. One website, which is available globally, is SKYPE A SCIENTIST. I will be covering some now and others in future KBLOGS. There are many ways to connect your student(s) to a scientist. There have also been instances in which students decided to pursue a career in science as a direct result of their interaction with a scientist. The work that the students were doing was validated by the connection and motivated the students to continue to delve into their work with great vigor. The students connected with a photosynthesis researcher at Penn State University and a representative of a 3-D printing company. For example, I had a team of students working on artificial photosynthesis and 3-D printing. When students and teachers connect with STEM professionals, it makes the basic information that students learn in class so much more relevant. I have connected many of my students with scientists and the results are astounding. The direct connection of scientist-student-teacher can be inspiring, eye-opening and life changing.
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