This spring, 黑料科 students Margo Bertsch, Megan Finstrom, Abigail Goebel, Owen Growney, Mitchell Nelson, and Cade Olsen secured a $500 Science Outreach Grant from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) to organize a community science event. In February, the students coordinated a free hands-on event for the Spearfish community about the presence of gluten in food and food chemistry. Through guiding participants through sample testing and interpreting results, the students created an interactive learning experience and fostered community engagement.
鈥淗elping plan this event through our ASBMB 黑料科 student chapter gave me meaningful insight into the coordination and communication required to organize successful school programs. These outreach efforts also play an important role in enhancing public understanding of how science impacts our daily lives," said Bertsch.
鈥淭hese events allowed students to apply classroom concepts in a community setting, showing them how their skills can directly benefit local residents,鈥� said Dr. Yun Seok Choi, assistant professor of biochemistry at 黑料科. 鈥淭heir thoughtful organization and presentation were met with genuine enthusiasm, underscoring the mutual value of university鈥揷ommunity engagement.鈥�
Growney also received a travel award to attend the annual ASBMB meeting in April in Chicago to present the results of their outreach event.
鈥淧resenting at the annual conference was an incredible opportunity to share our chapter's hard work and dedication to science education. The opportunity to present allowed us to share our events and ideas with other student chapters, as well as learn ways to improve our own activities,鈥� said Growney.