Touchpoint 1
Snake species discovered by NMHU professors gains international interest
What is it?
Two biology professors have believed for a long time that there are multiple green anaconda species. This is because they are found in so many places across South America. They found one with a 5.5% difference in DNA to another green Anaconda. This is enough to say it’s a new species.
Potential message to students:
The DNA difference between humans and chimpanzees is around 2%. Do you think a 5% difference in a snake is enough to say it’s a new species? If two green snakes look the same, should it just be the same species?
Touchpoint 2
Meet Birmingham’s Nicole LaMont: Deaf, Scientist, Social Media Influencer
What is it?
Nicole woke up one night at 3am and could not hear anything. She was suddenly deaf. She resisted learning sign language until Gabriella, a deaf fish in a Little Mermaid movie. She embraced her deafness, earned three degrees and today is a medical lab specialist with a huge social media following.
Potential message to students:
Do you think anyone can overcome a sudden disability and go onto greatness? Do you think deafness made her more determined? How important do you think disability representation is in movies for young children?
Touchpoint 3
Chester County Leadership: Jo-Elle Mogerman, President and CEO, Philadelphia Zoo
What is it?
Jo-Elle grew up in on the south side of Chicago, went to a small college in Minnesota with almost no Black Americans, decided to specialize in conservational biology and is today the CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo.
Potential message to students:
What are the odds that an inner city kid grows up to run a zoo? Jo-Elle visited family in more rural areas. Do you think this had an impact? She had a dog when young and spent a lot of time with it. Do you think this also had an impact?