Bridging Worlds 

Outreach Educator, Cedar Creek EcoVaganza

2025, 2023, 2022

• EcoVaganza is a summer outreach program designed to introduce middle and high school students to ecological research through hands-on learning at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. The program addresses the need to engage young learners with real-world scientific inquiry and foster interest in environmental science.

• In 2025, served as lead instructor for a workshop on species distribution modeling, guiding students through field observation methods and multi-year biodiversity data analysis. In 2023 and 2022, contributed as a supporting facilitator in workshops focused on grassland insect ecology and aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity, respectively.

• Each year, the program engaged approximately 40–60 students in interactive, field-based learning.

Outreach Educator, Bell Museum Expeditions

2022

• The Bell Museum Expedition is an annual public science event highlighting natural history research and museum curation practices. The event bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding of biodiversity conservation.

• Participated as a contributing biologist, demonstrating the dissection and preparation of vertebrate specimens and explaining the scientific process behind the museum’s collections.

• Engaged with more than 100 museum visitors through hands-on activities and live Q&A sessions.

Exhibit Educator, Annual Science Exhibition – SLAAS

2018

• Organized by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, this public exhibition was held to promote science literacy and connect academic institutions with the public.

• Presented zoological specimens from the University of Colombo’s teaching collection and engaged visitors in understanding animal diversity, morphology, and classification.

• The exhibition was attended by over 1,000 participants, including school groups and the general public.

_______________2025

Project Co-Lead – Building Bridges & Biodiversity

Institute on the Environment (IonE) Community Grant, University of Minnesota | 2025–2026

• Co-led a year-long community engagement project at Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative, connecting residents with local biodiversity through environmental education and sustainability initiatives.

• Designed and facilitated four seasonal nature journaling workshops and helped launch a pilot composting program that evolved into a community-wide composting initiative serving residents and community garden plots.

• Managed project finances, coordinated logistics and volunteers, and oversaw grant implementation, reporting, and community partnerships.

_______________2022-2023

Field Biologist, Small Mammal Survey & Public Outreach

Parks & Recreation | Saint Paul, Minnesota

• Conducted by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, this program combines ecological monitoring with public education on urban wildlife. It aims to raise awareness of mammal diversity in urban green spaces and promote community involvement in conservation.

• Contributed to small mammal trapping and species identification during surveys at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary (2022) and Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary (2023), followed by public engagement activities to share findings with visitors. 

• The outreach component engaged dozens of visitors in each location through live demonstrations and discussions.

_______________2020 

Writer, Vidhu Panhinda Facebook Group

BEEZ, Department of Zoology and Environment Science

• This initiative was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic by the University of Colombo to continue science education for schoolchildren through online platforms. It addressed the disruption of formal education and aimed to provide accessible learning content.

• Contributed as a volunteer science writer, developing content and explanations of scientific concepts in Sinhala for a public Facebook group used by students across the country.

• Reached several hundred followers weekly during nationwide lockdowns.

_______________2018

Organizing Committee Member

World Environment Forum

• This interdisciplinary conference brought together academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss sustainable environmental solutions on World Environment Day.

• Served as an organizing committee member, contributing to event logistics, communications, and planning of stakeholder panel discussions.

• The event hosted over 200 participants, including international speakers and local environmental professionals.

J-Term Field Excursion Workshop

University of Dubuque (USA), held in Sri Lanka

• A two-week interdisciplinary workshop focused on tropical ecosystem dynamics, species identification, and conservation challenges.

• Participated as one of two student representatives from Sri Lanka, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.

• Engaged in field-based learning alongside U.S. students, sharing ecological insights and local knowledge of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.

Outreach Educator

World Wetlands Day Public Awareness Program

• Hosted by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, Sri Lanka. This event celebrated World Wetlands Day with public workshops on wetland biodiversity.

• Contributed as a field biologist and educator, demonstrating bird handling techniques and introducing participants to avian field study methods.

• Reached approximately 100 visitors, including students, conservationists, and members of the public.

Participant

SCAR Cat Walk, Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project

• Hosted by the Small Cat Advocacy Research, Sri Lanka, to raise public awareness of small cats in urban wetlands.

• Contributed as a participant in the awareness walk.

_______________2017

Committee Member

Green-Gen Conference & Awareness Program

• Green-Gen was a dual-purpose event marking World Environment Day, designed to engage schoolchildren with sustainable development goals and connect them with industry leaders.

• Served as a committee member, supporting event planning and coordination of public engagement sessions.

• The event involved over 150 student participants from across Sri Lanka.

Science Communicator

Environmental Conservation Awareness Program – Hambantota Educational Zone

• This program targeted rural school districts to raise awareness of biodiversity loss and conservation strategies.

• Contributed to fundraising, program design, and delivery of educational content on environmental protection and sustainable practices.

• Together with fellow organizers, reached over 500 students across multiple schools in the Hambantota educational zone.

Exhibit Educator

‘Kurulu Kayya’ Public Workshop

• ‘Kurulu Kayya’ [Translates to Bird Speech] was a World Wetlands Day workshop aimed at public education on Sri Lanka’s bird diversity and wetland ecosystems.

• Led an educational exhibit on mixed-species foraging flocks in tropical rainforests, engaging participants with behavioral ecology and conservation topics.

• The program was attended by over 500 visitors, including students and bird enthusiasts.

_______________2016

Facilitator, Science Seminar

Beez/FOS Flood Relief Program

• Organized in response to severe flooding in Sri Lanka, this seminar supported middle school students in the Ratnapura District preparing for national exams.

• Contributed as a biology educator, delivering interactive lessons to help students catch up on missed content.

• Served over 80 students affected by the natural disaster.

_______________2014

Volunteer Educator for Practical English

Punch Kekuly Children's Society, Ratmalewatta

• This grassroots initiative was designed to improve English language confidence among children from low-income families in a rural village in Sri Lanka. The program aimed to reduce the stigma around speaking English and promote practical language use, and was delivered free of charge.

• Designed and delivered weekly classes using active learning and real-life communication strategies.

• The program served 40–60 students weekly over the course of one year.