By Skye Chaapel
Attending the Science and Math Colloquium that occurs every Tuesday from 11:30 am to 12:20 pm in the dining hall is a great way to learn about the research and internships students and alumni are doing within the various scientific fields.
According to Associate Professor of Mathematics, Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and colloquia organizer, Dr. Jill Jordan, speakers from a variety of disciplines and careers are invited to give presentations that are “purely research talks, some are more career-focused, some are about integrating faith in the workplace, etc.”
The goal of the colloquium is to communicate ideas within the scientific community. As Professor of Biology and Director of Pre-Health Professions, Dr. Jamie Potter, worded it, “advancements in scientific research are made in collaboration with one another. We build off of one another’s work… Students who attend have the opportunity to engage with the research and learn how science can be shared through oral communication.” The colloquium is open for everyone to attend, science and non-science majors alike. One non-science major who had the opportunity to experience a colloquium is Senior Jax Johnson. Commenting on their experience at the event, they said that “I found the colloquium I attended a great way to get a taste of scientific thought and ideas in a way that was both challenging and thought-provoking yet accessible.”
Even if you are in a science-related field, the colloquium is a great way for you to learn about the other fields. Senior Adora Colicci expressed her enjoyment of the colloquia. Specifically, she noted that her favorite thing about them is that they are “an opportunity for students to hear what alumni or science professionals outside of the Houghton bubble are doing in their fields… They introduce me to areas of science and mathematics that I don’t get to hear about very often.”
Senior Mary Vandenbosch, a future presenter at the colloquium, is a biology student who participated in an internship over the summer and hopes to share her experience with others. The internship she did was for the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District. She collected and tested water samples, worked with farms to ensure the crops were growing correctly, investigated lands that were being converted back into wetlands, and did outreach and provided information for the communities to learn more about stream health and to learn more about the corporation for whom she worked. When talking about her experience, she stated, “I am hoping to shine a light on something that I am so passionate about. I would love for people to walk away with a new appreciation for the nature around them and how complex it is.”
Everyone has something to contribute to the scientific conversations. As Dr. Potter stated, “We all have gifts that could enhance the learning and discussion of the presentation. If we live in community and dialogue with one another, shouldn’t our research be shared and not only available to those in science?”★
