The IGC Grad Student Organization sponsored an outreach table at the Virginia Tech Science Festival Expo in the Moss Arts Center from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm held on Saturday, October 27th. Their station featured specimens and information from the Fellows’ various research areas, to include:

  • An interactive stream sampling activity to search for live benthic macroinvertebrates and observe under microscope – a big hit with the kids!
  • Stained fish samples and fossils – especially visually appealing to young visitors.
  • Information on invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer and tree of heaven – of particular interest to adults who had heard of these organisms.

The IGC exhibit was also part of the Biological Sciences Activity Passport, along with several other outreach exhibits by the Biological Sciences Department, VT Microbiology Club, VT Stream Team, and Joel McGlothlin Lab. Other Global Change Center-affiliated labs participating in outreach at the Science Festival included the Paleobiology & Geobiology Research Groups. Hats off to our IGC Fellows and GCC Faculty providing education outreach and communicating their science!