Touchpoint 1
Dragonflies with waxy coating better able to resist a warming climate, research suggests
What is it?
As climate changes, it gets hotter and drier, dragonflies have figured out a way to adapt. They cover their wings and even their body with a waxy coating which prevents moisture from escaping.
Potential message to students:
Animals and insects have been around for a very long time on planet earth. Do think they will just adapt to a changing climate and continue to flourish? Do you think we might use a waxy coating on zoo animals or cows grazing in the hottest months of the summer?
Touchpoint 2
ODU Biology Ph.D. Candidate Recognized by Ecological Society of America
What is it?
Jem is one of 12 PhD candidates who received a ecological award. Her research focuses on the extinction risk of fishes in the marine ornamental trade. She grew up in the Philippines which has over 7,000 islands and got her bachelor’s there. Then she got a master’s degree in Australia. She met a professor in Hawaii and is now getting her PhD in the States.
Potential message to students:
What do you think of Jem getting different degrees on different continents? Do you think this will give her an advantage? Do you think growing fish in tanks and selling them around the world is a bad idea?
Touchpoint 3
A 22-year-old Towson biology major’s journey brought her to a deeper purpose
What is it?
Aaliyah’s mom had her leg amputated when Aaliyah was young. By the time she went to university, she decided to study physics and thought about becoming an engineer. She changed her mind and not only shifted to biology, but has decided she would like to work on prosthetics as a career.
Potential message for students:
Do you find it interesting that Aaliyah initially decided to study something that did not have to do with her mom’s amputation, but they switched over while in college? Do you think young children are almost “guided” into college majors that are informed by childhood?