The Latham Science Engagement Initiative (LSEI) finished the year strong with the annual Latham Showcase on Saturday, April 27. Fourteen students presented both individual and group outreach projects focused on science outreach and communication. Students who participate in the LSEI program complete two courses. In the fall, students complete LATH:3000 – Science Communication Skill Building, and the spring course is LATH:3001 – Latham Fellows: Science Outreach Project. The courses introduce students to science outreach communication strategies and techniques and train students to use innovative media such as blogs, podcasts, videos, and publications to craft their messages.

The Latham Showcase in April began with four group project presentations that were delivered in the Kollros Auditorium in Biology Building East to an audience of over fifty people, comprised of friends, family, coworkers, and other students, faculty and staff interested in science outreach and communication. 

The four group projects were: 

• Evo: Lesson Plans for Kids

  • Morgan Anderson, Josie Mbaye, Seren Castellano, Gabriella Snyder

• Vantage Magazine: Health Perspectives

  • Grace Johnson, Aayusha Adhikari, Kamilla Jacobo

• Power of Art and Music for Neurodegenerative Disease

  • Nicole Boodhoo, Ani Pradeep, Selina Hua

• What is Research? An Interactive Guide

  • Hannah Franke, Mary Haag, Arsha Vaddadi, Lillie Lamont

The event recognized two special guests, Drs. Bob and Sue Latham, who have been generous donors and supporters of the LSEI program since the inception.  Following the presentations, the Lathams participated in acknowledging the Latham student fellows as they received Certificates to recognize the demanding work they put into their projects. Following the presentations, the audience was invited to view the fourteen individual projects that were set up at tables in a format reminiscent of a science or poster fair. The projects included the creation of videos, podcasts, blogs, educational brochures and posters, children’s books, and a board game. 

The individual projects were:

• Project (Book): The Brilliant World of Bones by Seren Castellano
• Project (Book): Burning Bright by Mary Haag
• Project (Book): Earl's Hearing Adventures: Discovering How We Hear by Selina Hua
• Project (Podcast): Breaking Burnout by Arsha Vaddadi
• Project (Videos): Wordbrain by Hannah Franke
• Project (Blog): Love Letters to STEM by Kamilla Jacobo
• Project (Brochures): Young Geologists - Bridging the Gap in English Language Learner (ELL) Natural Science Education by Josie Mbaye
• Project (Podcasts): Effect of Psychosocial Stressors on Physical Health by Aayusha Adhikari
• Project (Posters): Pictures of Health by Grace Johnson
• Project (Brochure): Atrial Fibrillation Awareness and Prevention ("Rhythm Rescue”) by Lillie Lamont
• Project (Poster and Videos): Science at Iowa! by Morgan Anderson
• Project (Book): Invisible Disease – Detecting Social Determinants of Health by Nicole Boodhoo
• Project (Brochure): Prevalence and Prevention Diabetes Type II for Iowa City Residents and Beyond by Ani Pradeep
• Project (Board Game): rEVOLUTIONary by Gabriella Snyder

Many of these projects, and more from past years, are available on a student-run website called Stem-o-Sphere, which is hosted by the LSEI program.  The books are also available to viewing or purchasing on Amazon.com. Latham students, and any other University of Iowa students interested in publishing their work on science communication and engagement, are invited to submit to the student -run and edited journal Synthesis. Synthesis is currently accepting submissions for Volume 6, scheduled to be published in fall of 2024.

If you or a student who know of may be interested in becoming a Latham Fellow for the 2024 -2025 year, a few open positions are still be available! Please see the LSEI website or email ui-isa@uiowa.edu for more information.