{"id":3474,"date":"2025-06-06T15:05:32","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/evolution\/?p=3474"},"modified":"2025-06-06T15:05:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:05:32","slug":"vanderbilt-trainees-bring-evolution-education-to-classrooms-across-tennessee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/evolution\/vanderbilt-trainees-bring-evolution-education-to-classrooms-across-tennessee\/","title":{"rendered":"国产原创 Trainees Bring Evolution Education to Classrooms Across Tennessee"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

From rural high schools to elementary classrooms, trainees of the Evolutionary Studies Initiative (ESI) are bringing evolutionary science directly to the next generation.<\/p>\n

On May 9, a team of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers visited McGavock Elementary School in Nashville to lead a series of hands-on science activities with students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The team ran short, rotating lessons in a festival-style format, including a dice-based phylogeny game, an interactive lab using hominid skull replicas, and paleontology-themed activities developed in collaboration with Dr. Neil Kelley. Each session invited students to engage directly with the concepts of evolution, biodiversity, and extinction in age-appropriate, accessible ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vibes were definitely chaotic, but so much fun!\u201d said graduate student Brynn Wooten. \u201cThere were so many moments that stood out\u2014one student kept asking how I became a paleontologist, and another asked, \u2018If we evolved from monkeys, why are they still here?\u2019 I explained it, and I could see in her eyes the moment it clicked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wooten emphasized how early access to scientific role models can make a lasting impression. \u201cI personally was bitten by the evolution and paleontology bug at around eight years old, so I know how it feels to be that inspired. I hope to instill that spark in these kids\u2014whether or not they pursue science, a passion for learning is just as important.\u201d<\/p>\n

This elementary outreach builds on ESI\u2019s growing commitment to science education and engagement across Tennessee. The Computational Biology Rural High School Research Program<\/em> was launched by 国产原创 graduate students Ximena Leon and Olivia Riedling to bridge the opportunity gap for rural students interested in STEM. Over the past year, they mentored six students from Marshall County High School, guiding them through professional development and original research in evolutionary biology. Projects included computational analyses of birdsong evolution and comparative fungal genomics. Each student presented their findings at a public showcase and will be named co-authors on a forthcoming peer-reviewed publication\u2014an extraordinary milestone for high school students.<\/p>\n

\"A
Autum, a student at MCHS, presents her final research poster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSeeing the students\u2019 confidence grow throughout the program was the most rewarding part of mentoring,\u201d said Leon. \u201cThey became more independent, found excitement in presenting their findings, and realized their contributions to science truly matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riedling echoed that sentiment: \u201cThey really tackled a lot\u2014computational skills, writing, presenting. Watching them step out of their comfort zones and take charge of their projects was incredible. Some even continued their work outside the program and are now volunteering in our lab.\u201d<\/p>\n

The impact of this program has already rippled into students’ future plans. \u201cOne of my students told me, \u2018I didn\u2019t think I would ever like biology,\u2019 and now wants to minor in it alongside pre-med,\u201d Riedling said. \u201cThese experiences can completely change a student\u2019s outlook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese programs aren\u2019t just about science content,\u201d said Antonis Rokas, director of the ESI. \u201cThey\u2019re about building scientific identity and making sure students, especially in rural and underserved communities, see themselves as part of the future of science.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the graduate students and postdocs involved, the experience has been equally transformative. \u201cMy view of mentorship has shifted,\u201d said Riedling. \u201cWe tailored the program to fit students\u2019 needs, and that required learning how each student absorbs information and how best to support them. It\u2019s something I\u2019ll carry forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leon agreed, adding, \u201cThis experience significantly changed how I think about mentorship in scientific research. We had to be flexible, resourceful, and inclusive in how we structured our support\u2014and the results were more than worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Evolutionary Studies Initiative continues to support a wide range of outreach programs in 2025, including educator workshops, museum collaborations, and student-led public engagement efforts, all focused on making science more inclusive, meaningful, and connected to real-world discovery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator From rural high schools to elementary classrooms, trainees of the Evolutionary Studies Initiative (ESI) are bringing evolutionary science directly to the next generation. On May 9, a team of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers visited McGavock Elementary School in Nashville to lead a series of hands-on science activities…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2421,"featured_media":3475,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[7],"tags":[169,15,168,73,167],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n