Outreach
I am an ardent believer that inquiry-based education and the involvement of citizens from local and indigenous communities in science is key to the success of conservation measures. During my graduate career, I have strove to learn from the deep knowledge of local advocates and stakeholders, and foster scientific curiosity in K-12 students.
I am committed to equality for all in science. While at the University of South Carolina, I was the Graduate Student Representative on the student success sub-committee of the Biological Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
As someone hiring technicians in wildlife sciences, I strive to maintain ethical hiring practices for wildlife technicians by using steps laid out in these resources -- discrimination: 1,2,3; antiracism: 4,5; reconciliation: 6 -- to limit unconscious influence of ableism and bigotry.
As Gear Shop Manager and Adventure Guide, I taught outdoor recreation skills and led winter wildlife lessons for college students
As a visiting educator, I teach students about migratory birds and stir the excitement for the world's largest migrations!
As a wildlife ecology course instructor in Yellowstone, I worked with fantastic students to collect high-impact data for Park management. Rural and urban, local and international, the students I worked with were some of the most thoughtful folks I have met to this day!
Nestled in Tyonek Alaska, 10 miles south of the site of my Master's data collection, this school is full of amazing students. Together with the Tribal Environmental Director and the school's Principal, I lead semester long courses in bird migration and climate biology. Given a 4,000 year history of the Denaina people, these lessons ALWAYS leave me having learned more from them than vise versa! Since my graduation, students of the Senner Lab have continued to exchange with and learn from these students!
Together with my graduate advisor, I work with TTCD to design meaningful lessons and participate in building trust between scientists from outside Alaska and local communities.
Along with USFWS biologists and teachers at the Fort Washakie School, I am working to develop an inquiry-based curriculum and online tool for students of the Eastern Shoshone and (hopefully soon) Northern Arapahoe schools to utilize. The tool hosts data from mule deer and elk on the reservation, and will allow students to study their movements and test their own questions.
As a guest writer for WREN, and the Kid's Corner at the Biodiversity Insitute at the University of Wyoming, I have contributed writings and collaborative art pieces to support local educatino about wildlife and natural resources.