In 1948, Professor James Hope Birnie became Syracuse University’s first African American faculty member in biologyHe continued to teach here until 1951. He was also one of the first biology faculty members to be funded by the National Institutes of Health. His commitment to creating opportunities for underrepresented students in science was evident throughout his career in academia as well as in industry.
Today, departments like Biology Earth and environmental sciences (EES) are carrying on the important legacy of A&S pioneers like Birnie, seeking innovative ways to ensure their classrooms and fields are welcoming to all. The past 18 months have seen biology and EES faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students develop new approaches to encourage diversity in their fields and promote engagement with community scientists.
The SEEDS SPUR Fellowship
Eliza Hurst, a graduate student in Earth and Environmental Sciences, presents a demonstration of hydrology to North Side Learning Center students from Syracuse.
The Strategies for Ecology Education and Diversity. (The Ecological Society for America (ESA), founded the SEEDS program almost three decades ago. Their goal was to increase minority representation through introducing students to ecologists from diverse backgrounds and giving them real-world experience in the field. The programs Fellowship in Partnership for Undergraduate Research (SPUR).This highest honorand matches select undergraduate students with institutions who do work that aligns with their research interests. This opportunity is open to all undergraduates. However, veterans and students from underrepresented groups, such as those with low incomes or who are of low socioeconomic status, are encouraged to apply.
Katie Becklin, a biology professor, had been involved in SEEDS as a mentor in past. In early 2021 Jason Fridley and Jason Fridley worked together to get Syracuse listed among SPUR partner institutions. The first undergraduate to join Syracuse University as a SPUR internship was last summer.
Becklin states that we have committed funding a SEEDS fellowship for every summer. The fellowship, which is fully funded and pays travel and research expenses, is open to all current Syracuse students. Applications are posted in the late fall and due by early March. The biology department supports this program. The selected fellow will be paired in the biology lab that best suits his or her interests. Becklin says that this is a bit different than typical summer research. [in that SEEDS]There are also opportunities for professional development and networking throughout the year.
Katie Becklin, assistant professor in biology
The department is currently reviewing approximately 15 applications for the fellowship. Becklin said that she is thrilled by the amount of interest from students across the country in this program and hopes that more fellowships will be available at Syracuse University. This program not only helps increase diversity in ecology but also shows students from other parts of the country how great Syracuse is. [Our first intern]It was great in the lab. I hope they will visit again for grad school.
Natural Science Explorers Program
Eight biology and EES graduate student launched the Natural Science Explorers Program this spring. This weekly outreach program was created for elementary-age students at North Side Learning Center (NSLC). Becklin’s class supported Eliza Hurst, who is from the Earth and Environmental Sciences department. Science Outreach in BiologyThe initiative was inspired by.
Hurst and her colleagues work together to create lessons that appeal to the students’ interests. This includes everything from basic education (What science?). Are clouds real? They will be able to experience the impact science has on their daily lives. For example, she is a specialist hydrology. She created an urban hydrology model by using rubber bins and sponges. This shows how water flows, how landscapes are altered with roads and buildings, and how contaminants travel.
These kinds of lessons, which include inquiry-based learning as a well as culturally sensitive teaching (incorporating the students perspectives and experiences into instruction), help science become real and tangible in the minds and hearts of all students. It allows them to be scientists. Hurst and her coworkers hope that students’ scientific curiosity will be a part of their lives throughout school and beyond.
Based on the initial success of the program, the graduate studentswith the support of Becklin and EES professor Chris Juniumwere able to secure an Engaged Communities grant through A&S’ Engaged Humanities Network(EHN), will provide funding to continue the program.
Hurst states that they are excited about the possibility of a summer program that will provide more time for students to study topics and take field trips to explore Central New York’s natural ecosystems. We are currently reflecting on the future and planning for the next academic school year, where we will continue our regular afterschool science programs.
Visit the for more information on community engagement opportunities EHN Office of Community Engagement websites.
Seminar Series “Diversity in E4” (Ecology Evolution, Earth and Environment)
The creation of this virtual seminar series on ecology, evolution, and the environment by a group led by graduate students from the biology, Earth, and environmental sciences departments has been a major initiative over the past two-years. It was created with faculty support and is intended to increase the visibility of scientists with diverse identities. Sixteen speakers participated in the virtual seminar series so far.
Alex Ebert, a graduate student, led the biology side of the event and worked with Hurst who was among others the first graduate student to join the DEI committee in her department. Ebert says that our two main goals were to amplify the diverse voices in our field, provide a platform for research ideas, and to also include some discussion. [of]The intersection of race and environmental sciences: historical underrepresentation and how to address it.
Alex Ebert is a biology graduate student
Each event not only showcases the latest research and work of scientists but also provides opportunities for interaction and networking via virtual lunches for speakers and students. There were so many great conversations during the conference [that informal time]Ebert shares the story of how these scientists got to where they are today in their careers. But I’ve also been pleasantly surprised at how many took time during their seminars to discuss their journeys, and to talk about the importance of mentors and role models. And [now] these speakers are getting to become the very same mentors and role models to many students who may have never really seen themselves in the fields in which they’re most interested.
These events are open to everyone, but we encourage them to be promoted to undergraduate classes to show them the full range and diversity of scientists behind the work that they are learning about. Some students, including those in Becklins Ecology and Evolution classes, can earn credit by attending the seminars and writing summaries.
The series will continue into next year and a new group grad students, including Thomas Johnson and Julia Zeh, in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as Claire Rubbelke, in Earth and environment sciences, will be in charge. The schedule is still not available, but anyone who would like more information can contact. JohnsonOr Rubbelke directly.
