Allan Lerner

Here is Allan watching the birth of rocks. (Locations of pictures: Mexico and Hawaii)

Allan is from New York City and is a graduate student at Oregon State University. Here are his responses to some questions:

What have you studied in science or are currently studying?

Volcanology

Geochemistry

Natural Hazards

Have done work in the Aleutian Islands, New Mexico, Hawaii, Old Mexico, and now Mt St Helens.

Do you have any ideas on what a middle school student could do in Science right now?

I think it would be quite neat projects for students to team up with a scientist "mentor" - someone a bit more established in the field than most 11-14 year olds. They could be shown a day in the field or in the lab and then help with the all-important outreach efforts: Basically frame an explanation of the work in their own vocabulary and from their own perspective, and present it to the class/parents/etc.

As people involved in the scientific enterprise, we know it is critically important to be able to connect with the younger generation to foster interest, but also to emphasize to those young future Einsteins how important being able to convey information and importance of research is to other.

What or who inspired you to get into Science in the first place? What do you like about Science?

Excited and engaging science teachers in elementary and middle school kick-started my curiosity. Spending time roaming around in the incredible natural grandeur that surrounds us all cemented my interest in wanted to understand what makes it all tick in such wonderful lockstep.

Looking at things from a scientific perspective unveils the additional layers of complexity that wonder about how every single thing on Earth and beyond came to be. It allows an understanding of the world around us, but also inevitably leads to additional questions that are often still unanswered. The overall effect for me has been a much deeper appreciation of the workings of our planet, and a recognition of how precious our particular snapshot of the world is in light of the incredible past and future of our blue (but not always blue) planet.

Science encourages curiosity and asking questions, in a world where still intellectual freedom is often stifled. And did I mention that you often get to spectacular parts of the planet that many otherwise would never get a glimpse of?

What advice do you have for a middle school student who is interested in becoming a scientist?

Keep your eyes and mind open. Ask yourself and others "WHY?" The world is an amazing place, and becomes only more-so when you get dirty and really look at each amazing bit of matter around us.

If you find something that really fascinates you, don't let it go in favor of following the path that others expect you to. Skeptical eyebrows may be raised when you mention that you want to study ants, or rocks, or plankton (or an innumerable other things that do not easily fit people's ideas of normal interests or “respectable” careers), but these are all fascinating enterprises that can bring you along some incredible life paths.

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