The Department of Biological Sciences Outreach, Community Engagement, and Service Learning
Mission Statement:
Through enhancing biology education and increasing biology-related outreach, we are committed to sharing our knowledge with the wider community.
The specific objectives are to:
- Encourage participation in outreach to the general public
- Provide information that highlights outreach activities and those involved
- Participate in special programs representing the department (i.e., K-12 schools, Science Olympiad, etc.)
- Link faculty to appropriate outreach opportunities
- Record and document all departmental outreach activities
- Be a resource for faculty pursuing collaborations in outreach programs and grants
BIOFEST
BIOFEST – Each fall, the Biology Department hosts an annual event that features a combined career fair, welcome to new biology majors, and undergraduate and graduate student research poster colloquium. Come learn about scientific vendors, graduate schools, K-12 teaching positions, and post-graduate employers at this event.
BSC 393 Biology Outreach Course
BSC 393 Biological Outreach – In this class, UA Biology majors create and teach hands-on science lessons to K-12 students in the Tuscaloosa County and Tuscaloosa City Schools through-out the calendar year. Additional community partners include the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority, Tuscaloosa Magnet schools, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, I Dream Big, Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama, UA Arboretum, the Tuscaloosa Public Library, and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Hands-On Museum.
Contact:
For Summer semester – Jeana Yates (Christine.j.yates@ua.edu);
For Fall and Spring – Kaleb Heinrich (kheinrich@ua.edu)
Website: https://cjyates.people.ua.edu/bsc-393-biology-outreach.html
Bama Biology Bootcamp (B3)
B3 – A one week intensive program for incoming Biological Sciences majors and other freshmen enrolled in BSC 114 or 118. Its purpose is to help first year college students make a successful transition from the expectations of high school to those of college, setting the stage for a great college experience.
B³ participants get a jump-start on the BSC 114 and 118 course:
Meet the Biological Sciences Faculty, Department Chair, graduate students&undergraduates who have successfully completed their introductory biology courses, and university staff who are ready to help students
Develop learning strategies for their first biology course and beyond
Learn about the expectations for studying, learning and academic performance in college classes.
Website: http://b3.as.ua.edu/
Homecoming Tent
Homecoming Tent – The College of Arts and Science hosts a tent on the Quad on Homecoming Saturday each year. This is a volunteer opportunity for UA students to help the Biology Department teach the community about all things Biology with hands-on experiments about native plants, invasive species, microscopes, invertebrates, biomes, and much more.
Contact: Kaleb Heinrich (kheinrich@ua.edu)
The Traveling Fish Show
The Traveling Fish Show – The Traveling Fish Show is an outreach and educational activity featured at several university and local K-12 school events .
Contact: Phillip Harris (pharris@ua.edu).
Flight of the Bombus Bumble Bee Flight Simulator
Flight of the Bombus Bumble bee flight simulator – An educational exhibit featured at several university events for outreach and education.
Contact: Jeff Lozier (jeffrey.lozier@ua.edu)
Scientist for a Day
Scientist for a Day – An educational experience for High School students to visit a UA research lab and learn about the day-to-day activities involved in research.
Contact: Kevin Kocot (kmkocot@ua.edu).
Science Olympiad – Volunteer Opportunity
Science Olympiad – The College of Arts and Science hosts the annual state-level Science Olympiad each year. This annual state-level event gives K-12 students from all over the state of Alabama a chance to compete in STEM competitions. The winners move on to the National Science Olympiad.
This is an opportunity for UA students to proctor exams and lead K-12 students from event to event as part of the Science Olympiad.
Contact: Dr. Kim Lackey (lacke003@ua.edu) or Dr. Kaleb Heinrich (kheinrich@ua.edu)
Website: https://scienceolympiad.as.ua.edu/event-information/
Discovery Buddies – Volunteer Opportunity
Discovery Buddies – This is a volunteer opportunity for UA students to teach hands-on science experiments and tutor students after school at Matthews Elementary once per week.
Contact: Stephen Secor (ssecor@ua.edu).
Website: https://ssecor.people.ua.edu/outreach–services.html
UA Arboretum- Volunteer Opportunity
UA Arboretum –This is a volunteer opportunity for UA students to teach hands-on science lessons about Alabama’s wonderful flora and fauna to K-12 students who come on field trips and/or to Tuscaloosa Citizens who visit the UA Arboretum.
Contact: Monica Watkins (mhmwatkins@ua.edu)
Website: https://arboretum.ua.edu/
ArBOOretum – Volunteer Opportunity
ArBOOretum – This is a volunteer opportunity for UA students to teach family-friendly, Halloween and Autumn themed, hands-on science lessons to K-12 students and Tuscaloosa Citizens.
Contact: Michael McCain (mrmckain@ua.edu)
Website: https://bsc.ua.edu/profiles/michael-mckain/
UA Museums – Volunteer Opportunity
UA Museums– This is a volunteer opportunity for UA students to teach hands-on science lessons about Alabama’s Natural History to K-12 students and Tuscaloosa Citizens who visit the UA Museums.
Contact: William Bomar (bbomar@ua.edu)
Website: museums.ua.edu
BUG FEST – Volunteer Opportunity
BUG FEST – This is an opportunity for UA students to teach family-friendly hands-on science lessons about “ALL Things BUGS” to K-12 students and Tuscaloosa Citizens.
Contact: William Bomar (bbomar@ua.edu)
Website: museums.ua.edu