Examples of IDPAS Student & Faculty Outreach Efforts

Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP)

IDPAS students have participated as instructors in the New York State Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP), which provides academic enrichment courses with the goal of increasing the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students prepared to enter college. Recently, as part of Stony Brook University STEP, IDPAS students Isabel Mormile, Gabi Card, Sarah Mincer, Daphne Hudson, and Marcy Weber have taught STEP Anatomy. Inspired by student interest in STEP Anatomy, IDPAS students Daphne Hudson, Jacob Feder, and Leanne DeMay developed a new STEP course: STEP Introduction to Biological Anthropology, which had the highest attendance of any STEP program in its debut. In addition to the course developers, STEP BioAnth has been taught by Sarah Mincer, Chris O’Conner Coates, Jack Winans, and Kristin Carline.

Graduates for Education Outreach (GEO)

Several IDPAS students have previously volunteered with the Graduates for Education Outreach (GEO) organization. GEO plans STEM science lessons in collaboration with Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School. Lessons cover topics from a wide variety of fields, such as fossils, water pollution, and weather cycles. In addition, GEO works with local science fairs and schools upon request. Contact gradedoutreach@gmail.com for more information.

Institute for Conservation of Tropical Environments (ICTE) Outreach

Distinguished Professor Patricia Wright, as the Founder and Director of ICTE, oversees many international outreach and education programs related to environmental conservation.

Dr. Patricia Wright, ICTE researchers, and previous contestants on Bachelor in Paradise. Contestants Blake Moynes and Kendall Long worked with Dr. Wright to educate and raise awareness of critically-endangered lemurs through social media and within a documentary about Madagascar's Ranomafana National Park that they shared with viewers worldwide.

The Center ValBio education team hosted a park visit for Ranomafana primary and secondary school students to Ranomafana National Park on 2023 Lemur Day (photo by Samuelo Onjanianina).

Paws and Claws

Assistant Professor Stephanie Maiolino developed the “Paws and Claws” exhibit as a hands-on activity for K-6 students while she was at Mizzou and has also presented it at the Long Island Mini Makers Faire.

3D printed model of the front claw of a cat demonstrating how the shape of the bones permit claw retraction (top) and the action of flexor tendon to rotate the claw downwards (bottom).

Russo Lab Outreach

Associate Professor Gabrielle Russo and her students have developed and presented several talks and activities for elementary and high school students around Long Island.

Associate Professor Gabrielle Russo and IDPAS student Abigail Nishimura with students in Susan Monahan’s AP Biology class at Riverhead High School. Student’s compared bones from humans, chimpanzees, and extinct hominins to see what anatomical features are necessary for bipedalism within the “Becoming Bipedal” activity.

Associate Professor Gabrielle Russo and IDPAS students Abigail Nishimura, Daphne Hudson, and Sarah Mincer with students at the Cherry Avenue Elementary School in Sayville. The “What Fossils Can Tell Us!” activity allowed students to explore 1) how anatomy reveals evolutionary relationships, 2) what teeth tell us about animal diet, and 3) what limb bones tell us about animal locomotion.

CommUniversity Day

Over the years, IDPAS faculty and students have introduced members of the public to anthropological research topics and materials at CommUniversity Day, a day that the wider community is invited onto Stony Brook University to learn more about research, scholarship, art, and opportunities on campus. The associated activities have largely aimed to introduce engaging anthropological topics to children and their families.

IDPAS Student Jen Everhart and undergraduate Melina Seabrook displaying a variety of animal bones at CommUniversity Day. Associate Professor Catherine Markham and her activity simulating chimpanzee termite fishing at CommUniversity Day.

Dr. Twiss Outreach

Associate Professor Kathy Twiss developed “Archaeologist”, a video describing the profession of Archaeology Three Village School district students during their career day. In addition, Dr. Twiss has discussed her archaeological research to elementary school students, including those at Minnesauke Elementary School (a Three Village Central School District article).