Outreach is a critical part of our work as scientists- bringing results to the public and helping students and educators learn more about the natural world is part of our job, plus it's fun! Our group participates in a wide range of outreach activities through collaborations with North Carolina State University, the National Science Foundation, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and NC Public Schools. Below are some of our current and past projects:
Paleo³ group members regularly give public talks or participate in outreach/science events, some of which include:
"Exploring Paleo" by E. Hyland (May 2024)
"Scientists in the Classroom: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils" by E. Hyland (February 2021)
"The paleontology behind climate change research" by E. Hyland (December 2020)
"Ancient climates" by E. Hyland (July 2019)
"Hot summers and cool winters" by L. Burgener (November 2018)
"How paleoclimate research informs our efforts to combat modern change" by E. Hyland (September 2018)
"What is 'paleo' anyway?" by E. Hyland (October 2017)
Check our news feed and follow us on Twitter for specifics and upcoming events!
Paleo³ research is regularly integrated into courses taught at NCSU, including projects such as:
Clumped Isotopes Module (MEA 763): students learn how to prepare and analyze paleosol carbonate samples for clumped isotopes, and conduct data analyses and presentations in class using research materials collected in the western U.S.
Macrostratigraphy Lab Exercise (MEA 450): students use a series of stratigraphic and geochemical datasets collected in the Green River Basin to perform basin analysis exercises and describe depositional and burial histories.
Phytolith Paleoecology Lab Exercise (MEA 369): students conduct statistical analyses and produce an ecological model of a past environment based on phytolith and stable isotope data collected in central South America.
Paleoclimate Proxies Discussion (MEA 493/592): students design and conduct a discussion of the applications and limitations of paleoclimate proxies using published literature from the Paleo3 group and other researchers.
Quaternary Stratigraphy Fieldtrip (MEA 450): students take a fieldtrip to Quaternary stratigraphy localities in the NC Piedmont and produce detailed stratigraphic columns describing the depositional history of sites used in phytolith reconstruction research projects.
NC State program for incoming students focusing on global change.
Features online modules and videos which are now publicly available on NCSU.edu and YouTube.
Paleo³ contributed via development and filming of three included videos/podcasts on past climates and fossils fuels.
2021
NSF-funded outreach program supported by University of Minnesota.
Features a publicly available mobile app for geoscience outreach and data discovery.
Paleo³ contributed via: 1) baselayer stratigraphic and paleontological data in Wyoming and Utah; and 2) self-directed on-the-ground guided geological fieldtrips of certain key geologic sites from the Paleogene of Wyoming (Flaming Gorge, Green River Basin).
2018 - 2024
NSF-funded outreach program in MEAS led by D. McConnell and K. Wegmann.
Features engagement with local NC public schools and curriculum development for state science standards.
Paleo³ contributed via: 1) public talks about climate change and hands-on fossil leaf experiments with high-school students in Wake County; and 2) curriculum development workshops with NC Public Schools designing Earth Science modules targeting NC Science Standards.
2017 - 2022
International research symposium and researcher training workshop supported by the AC-21 Foundation, linking the Paleo³ group with researchers from across Southeast Asia (Thailand DMR, Kasertsart University, Suranaree University).
Find resources for this workshop below: