school programs Archives - Headwaters Science Institute

Inspiring Women Mentor Headwaters Students

Mar 8, 2023 | Home Page Featured, Uncategorized

Headwaters Science Institute is proud to connect our students with science mentors in many of our programs. And on International Women’s Day, introducing some of the incredible women who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists. These women are all dedicated and accomplished researchers who are advancing science in their fields, and taking the time to share their experiences with Headwaters students!

Some of the incredible women who are making a difference with Headwaters Science Institute’s programs are Gabriela Rios-Sotelo, Kerri Spuller, Ashley Pierce, Anna Holmquist, Aviva Fiske, and Hanna Kahl. We are always grateful when they are able to allocate some of their time to help us reinforce our mission of “fostering curiosity through science.”

Gabriela Rios-Sotelo‘s research on White nose syndrome in bats is crucial for understanding and combating this deadly fungal disease. In addition, her work as a science educator has brought natural history and science lessons to people of all ages.

Kerri Spuller‘s research on landscape change and climate change in drylands has important implications for understanding how our planet is changing. Her work as an environmental scientist also helps ensure that our water and soil are safe and healthy.

Ashley Pierce‘s work in atmospheric pollutants is essential for understanding and addressing some of the most pressing environmental problems we face today. As an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow placed at the National Science Foundation, she works on programs that are cross-disciplinary with a focus on sustainability.

Anna Holmquist‘s research on spider biodiversity and the urban heat island effect is fascinating and important for understanding how our cities impact the natural world. Her passion for science education and making science accessible to all is also inspiring.

Aviva Fiske‘s research on sturgeon genetics is crucial for understanding and conserving these endangered fish populations. Her work with the GOALS program also helps ensure that more girls have the opportunity to experience the wonders of science and the outdoors.

Hanna Kahl‘s research on citrus pest management is essential for ensuring that farmers can produce healthy and sustainable food. Her work as a middle school teacher and in Women in Data also highlights her dedication to science education and empowering women in STEM.

Mentors play a critical role in inspiring young students to pursue science. They act as a guiding light by providing advice, answering tough questions, and empowering students to navigate the complexities of science with confidence. With a mentor’s support, students can feel inspired and equipped to take on the challenges of science, and pursue their dreams with passion and purpose. This is why we pair the best mentors with our Headwaters programs! The students see what is possible when they see themselves in and connect with these amazing women scientists.

A Summer of Fun: Campers Enjoy Summer Camps

Aug 24, 2022 | Home Page Featured, Uncategorized

Headwaters Science Institute had an amazing summer of camps! We hosted day camps at three separate locations: Carpenter Valley, Serene Lakes, and Kirkwood. At each week-long camp, campers investigated a research question related to the week’s theme. The weekly themes included water, plants and wildflowers, and bugs and insects.

Campers came up with inquisitive questions and it was easy for campers to think large and want to attempt to answer some of science’s most looming questions. We reminded them that they had to be able to answer their question while at camp, but their natural curiosity makes us sure that they are true scientists in the making. Some questions that campers settled on included, “Where do we find the most animals?” Is the drinking water lake actually cleaner than the swimming lake at Serene Lakes?”, “Are there more bugs in the meadow or the forest and why might that be?”

Campers collecting macroinvertebrates to assess stream health in Carpenter Valley

Taking in the view at Serene Lakes

Campers learned the scientific process, all the way from observing what’s around them to presenting their data and findings to an audience. For some campers, it was their first time observing the natural world through a scientific lens and being able to facilitate their curiosity is important in their development as young scientists.

Webber Lake campers presenting their preliminary findings to fellow campers and members of the community who joined for a docent hike through the Truckee Donner Land Trust

In addition, we also hosted two overnight week-long camps at Webber Lake; one was our Environmental Science Research camp and the other was our Girls Science camp. It was an amazing week of focused science and also time to enjoy being outside. Students at these camps fully immersed in the scientific process and eventually created online presentations that were available for the public to watch.

We had a successful summer of science and fun and hope to see many returning campers next year!

Help us expand access to our hands-on science education with our ‘Back-to-School’ fundraiser

Aug 8, 2022 | Home Page Featured, School Programs

Headwaters Science Institute is passionate about seeing students grow their interest in science, become informed citizens, and contribute to their community. We help students build the skills to be successful in many careers, teach confidence through science programs, and support the learning cycle by partnering with professional mentors and teachers to bring our programs to students across the country.

Even during the pandemic, we’ve been flexible and able to provide programs online and in person. We’ve worked with 76 Research Experience students, empowered 53 schools to engage students in programs, and reached over 600 individuals through our Lunch with a Scientist YouTube Series. With our “Back to School” Fundraiser, you can help inspire change and support more students seeking access to hands-on science programs as we aim to grow our impact this year.

Ethan Liu, one of our Summer 2022 Financial Aid Recipient, loved his experience with Headwaters’ Research Experience:

Headwaters Research Experience is a truly unique program that contrasts any science course I’ve taken in school. I was taught many crucial research skills such as scientific literacy, reference tracking, hands-on data collection, graph creation, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing. Most high schoolers aren’t taught these skills in a typical classroom setting, but gaining exposure to them through this program prepared me for future research projects in my academic career.

Ethan Liu

Summer 2022 Financial Aid Recipient

Money raised through our Back to School fundraiser helps fund scholarships like this and expands access to science in and out of schools.

When students access one of our programs — whether it be participating in a school field day, watching an episode of Lunch With A Scientist or enrolling in the semester-long Research Experience — they come away with a different perspective on science and their potential entry into the profession.

The benefits of Headwaters Science Institute’s hands-on science education are undeniable.

Now, we are asking you, as a valued member of our community, to rally your friends, family, and networks to support our efforts and expand access to these invaluable programs. Starting a fundraiser is easy to do, and it’s fun. We’ll give you all the tools you’ll need to make a difference. Prizes will be awarded to our top fundraisers. We will also be hosting a live, in-person “Celebration of Science” event at the conclusion of the fundraiser that will include student presentations and a talk from a well-known scientist (date and location to be announced).

With your help, we can ensure increased exposure to hands-on science education in more schools and students from all walks of life. We’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $10,000 and we need your support to help us make a difference for more students!

Find out more and sign up on our fundraising page!

‘Students were highly engaged and enriched’: Headwaters’ first ever Florida science camp a success

Jul 25, 2022 | School Field Days, Florida Region, Home Page Featured, School Programs

Headwaters Science Institute took to the beautiful and diverse Florida coastline for the first time in a recently completed school science camp with South Lake Elementary School.

Students were introduced to the natural wonders of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge on the Indian River Lagoon.

The three-day program took students through the process of science and into the field to investigate soil pH, biodiversity, and water quality along the shores of the 156-mile estuary located along the east coast of Florida.

“South Lake students were highly engaged and enriched…,” South Lake principal Jennifer Brockwell told Headwaters. “I was amazed that in such a short amount of time, all they had accomplished and their quality of work, which they proudly presented. These students will be able to leverage their science skills in the upcoming school year and come prepared with scientific knowledge, data analysis abilities, and scientific research skills. I highly recommend this experience!”

Run by Programs Manager Jennifer Cotton, the camp was a perfect example of how Headwaters hands-on programs translate well in any part of the country, whether it be the mountain lakes and streams of the Tahoe-Truckee area or the coast of Florida. South Lake students culminated the program with presentations of their projects, leaving them with an encapsulation of what real science in the field is all about.

“What an incredible opportunity this was!” one parent told Headwaters. “We are very grateful for you, your volunteers, and South Lake for offering this incredible summer camp. I was very impressed with what all the groups accomplished.”

For more information on Headwaters school programs or to inquire about bringing a camp to your school, click below or contact Jenn at jenn@headwatersscienceinstitute.org.

GET MORE INFO ON HEADWATERS' SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Check out more photos from Headwaters’ first ever Florida school program.

Questioning the very definition of science? You’re not alone, and we’re here to help

Jul 6, 2022 | Home Page Featured

The national discourse these days might have you questioning the very definition of the word “science.”

That being said, it is important to understand the process of science and how it is fluid through time, ever-changing with the discovery of new information that potentially alters our consensus of what is known.

At Headwaters Science Institute, we’re aiming to bring greater understanding to the conversation around what science is and how it affects the course of our lives.

So, what is science?

To create a foundational understanding, science is the process of observation and experimentation to uncover insights about the natural world. When you Google “science” there are two definitions, 1. science is a systematic process of observation and experimentation, and 2. A body of knowledge pertaining to a subject. It is important to acknowledge that science is not either/or one of these definitions.

Generally, however, people typically associate the term science with this second definition.

Biology, for example, is defined as the body of knowledge about living organisms. But biology is really the process of generating these insights about living organisms and their vital processes. This is then communicated as a body of knowledge. It’s the combination of both definitions.

Check out how Headwaters' programs are built around the process of science

Science is not a collection of “facts”

Much of society has been taught that there is “science” and the “scientific method,” but in reality, they are intertwined. I fell victim to this when attending public school growing up. Our teachers taught science in a way that disconnected the process in which the body of knowledge is generated from reading the conclusions of the process, i.e. the textbook.

To me, it gave the perception that science is just a collection of facts that I can read in a textbook and then move on. But in reality, science is ever-changing, full of constant debate over what has been discovered in the past and exploring the fringes of what we currently understand about the natural world.

If you are in high school reading a biology textbook, the information you are reading is not the extent of what we know today and may not reflect the most up-to-date scientific consensus. Scientists are constantly developing new methodologies, challenging previous findings, and questioning authority to progress the field as a whole.

This can at times mean declaring studies to be invalid or insignificant. This isn’t always because the experimentation was done poorly or results being irreproducible, but because as time progresses, new methods can supply a more informed conclusion to determine a study invalid.

Science is a life-long journey of learning

A perfect example of this, is the Biological Species Concept.

Simply put, it determines a species to be a group of organisms that are able to interbreed and produce viable offspring. This concept is still taught in schools across the country, but it is not supported anymore by contemporary biologists. In fact, this is still a widely debated topic as defining what a species is impacts how we conduct the field of taxonomy and study evolution.

Science is a life-long journey of learning, observation, and experimentation to close the gap of what is known and unknown about the world around us. It helps us make informed decisions, which are driven by data rather than our behavior or biases. Hopefully, as you continue to follow Headwaters Science Institute, you will obtain a new understanding, perspective, and appreciation of science.

Daniel Dudek

Programs

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