Outreach

There are many opportunities on campus to join or create your own outreach. Outreach is becoming a more important part of science research and many fellowships, postdocs, and jobs are looking for some previous experience with outreach. Here are a few of the student groups on campus that actively engage in outreach.

That’s Life [Science]

That’s Life [Science] or TLS is a science outreach and education blog written by grad students from the IDGP life sciences programs, ECO, and Microbiology. The goal of the site is to make life science research accessible and exciting to general audiences while honing our skills as effective writers and science communicators. Blog authors write and peer edit articles twice per semester, but there are also opportunities to get involved with the Web Design Committee, the Managing Editing Committee, and the Outreach and Communication Committee.

Life Science Cafe

The primary goal of the Science Cafe is “to engage the broader community in science discourse outside University walls, with a target audience of adult, non-scientific community members. We run our events throughout the year, typically hosting once a month. All events are free, open, and targeted to the public. Events typically run 1 to 1.5 hours with a featured speaker, Q & A, and quiz bowls with prizes.” Science Cafe turns into its laid-back alter ego, The Science Buzz, during the summer. These are usually at a bar and with trivia.

Graduate Women in STEM (GWIS)

The UMass Amherst Graduate Women In STEM organization is committed to the professional and personal advancement of women pursuing careers in STEM and related fields. By encouraging successful scientific research strategies and practices, developing professional networking skills and supporting the integration of career with personal goals, we seek to empower women to achieve academic and professional excellence. We embrace an inclusive and diverse membership in order to enhance the participation and recognition of women in STEM, catalyze change in the professional climate, and inspire the success of future generations of STEM professionals.

Fernald Club

The Fernald Club is one of the oldest graduate Entomology clubs in the US and offers fantastic insect (and other arthropod) displays of both live and pinned specimens on the 2nd floor of Fernald Hall at UMass Amherst. In addition to these displays, the Fernald Club also hosts other events throughout the academic year.