The Urban Scientist

My Heart is in Oklahoma now #OklahomaStrong

DNLee — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:05:56 +0000

Hearts and Prayers to Moore, Oklahoma.

I was sound asleep and was completely unaware of the weather and tragedy happening back home. A very bad tornado hit Oklahoma – just south of Oklahoma City. I began getting messages on Twitter, Facebook, and via email asking if I was still in Africa or not. I am. I’m still here in Tanzania.
The storm hit Moore, Oklahoma which is south of Oklahoma City. That’s about 2 hours away from where I live and work – Stillwater. I’ve gotten word that Stillwater, Oklahoma State University, and nearby areas are fine. (I’ve had nightmares of tornadoes ripping the building apart where the rats are staying, they escape, breed and biggest new invasive species in North America changes the landscape forever. Please know that the rats are safe and contained.)

But the devastation and loss of life from this Tornado has me feeling heavy of heart. If you’d like to assist, then please check out these recommendations and resources provided by my awesome Intern – who lives in Oklahoma and it was a close call for her (she lives not far from Moore.) She’s fine, but our neighbors are not. So please, check out the recommendations she offers and assist in any way you can.

Be safe friends.

#DispatchesDNLee: Giant African Land Snails

DNLee — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:56:55 +0000

I see these magnificent shells littered on the ground – in the woods, on lawns, everywhere. It’s the shell of the Giant African Land Snail. In Tanzania, they are native – living in terrestrial habitats or on land. But back in the United States they are an invasive species. Not only do they devour vegetation of most any type they also carry a parasite – rat lungworm, which can be picked up from their slime trails. The snails get the parasite from eating rat feces. Rat lungworm can cause meningitis Seeing that study rats and come across these snails all of the time, I’m feeling some kind of way about these snails (like I need some other weird disease to worry about getting from my rats)…but the shells are still big and pretty.

How big are they?

Well, if this fella had walked inside of my trap, then he would have surely tripped it closed and been stuck inside until I come along to free him.

How did they come to be a problem in the United States? Exotic (non-native) species can reach new areas a number of ways – by accident or deliberately. However, it seems like these snails were brought here deliberately. Some people like them as terrarium pets. I know that some snails are regarded as a delicacy (not sure about these species) but it’s big enough to provide a hardly meal for something.

This blog post was inspired by Tracey Friley of OneBrownGirl.com and The Passport Party Project. She came across the National Geographic post about the snails invading Florida and tagged me in the post. And I was like “Hey, I see these all of the time”. Now until June 3, 2013 Tracey is campaigning to get more young girls to get their very first passport. With enough daily votes, she can secure funds to secure 100 girls their very first passport. A passport means the world is open to you. And I hope these young ladies see science as one of those open doors. I couldn’t do what I do without a passport. I’m lucky (blessed) to have a job that let’s me travel the world. Who would have imagined — a little brown girl from South Memphis, raised in a 3-bedroom/1 bath apartment with 4 generations under one roof, working class poor who dreamed that going to California or Florida would be a fantasy – now travels the globe….for SCIENCE! And you know what, one of those little girls might turn out to be a wildlife biologist – like me, traveling the world seeing all kinds of cool things. Join me in supporting this campaign. All it takes is a vote.

Charges dropped against #KieraWilmot, now let’s shower her with science love

DNLee — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:51:52 +0000

#Solidarity4Wilmot prevails. Thank you! Charges dropped against Kiera Wilmot. Yes! And YES!! Anyone else doing backflips? This news, combined with her full expulsion from school (for next year) being over turned makes me very, very happy for her. (Though I’m thinking ahead – would returning to Bartow High School be in her best interest? Others have asked about contributing to a scholarship for her and her sister to attend a different more Math & Science friendly school. Right now I can’t say anything about this.)

For now we can focus on her next steps – specifically her being able to take advantage of all of those amazing science outreach opportunities extended to her. Many people stepped up to offer Kiera mentored science opportunities. Thank you. For people that reached out to me with offers, I will share them with her mother. I’m guessing that Kiera’s summer schedule will be filled with opportunities to do science – of all kinds.

In fact, Dr. Homer Hickam – (yes, that one from Rocket Boys) has steppen in/up. He contacted Ms. Wilmot and has offered to send Kiera to Space Camp in Huntsville. He has graciously offered to pay her fees. Kiera’s twin sister, Kayla is also interested in science and Space Camp, so there is an online fundraiser to help cover her fees to attend the camp with her sister: Kayla and Kiera Wilmot Space Academy Scholarships.

Kayla and Kiera Wilmot (courtesy of Wilmot family)

Please join me and contributing to the fund to help make this AWESOME, FUN, Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity extra special for them. I am so happy and excited for them. In 8^th grade, I visited the Huntsville NASA facility and wished I could attend Space Camp. I hear they are both excited about the opportunity. They haven’t picked the week yet – but hey all of this legal stuff just cleared itself. No doubt they are still overwhelmed.

I am happy.

Just by timing alone, Kiera can’t take advantage of every outreach opportunity offered to her by all of you good people. I hope and ask that you still offer that opportunity to another “Kiera Wilmot” in your community. Kids from all over and in every community would love a chance to tour a science lab, tag sharks, or even assist on a university science project or go to science camp. Her mother indicated that she (and her twin sister) is (are) really into Robotics.

And if you’re interested in extending science outreach opportunities to Kiera and other students, then please fill out this form. I’ll put you in contact with the appropriate individuals.

Sincerely,
DNLee

More links for news related to Kiera Wilmot:

Charges dropped against Florida teen over amateur science experiment
Updates on #KieraWilmot, Legal Fund created
Scientists’ Support for Kiera Wilmot #Solidarity4Wilmot

#DispatchesDNLee: Finally Trapping

DNLee — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:52:10 +0000

It took longer to get,set up but I am finally trapping. That means I’m collecting data. Woo, hoo!
Here is a peek into all of the fun I’ve had working hard in Tanzania!

(You can follow my real time updates from Tanzania on Twitter, @DNLee5 and the hashtag #DispatchesDNLee. If you would like a Dispatch – handwritten postcard updates from the field, then fill out this form. Any donation to help offset the cost of postage is always appreciated. Asante sana.)

KARIBU to my Adventures!

Updates on #KieraWilmot, Legal Fund created

DNLee — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:48:02 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reaching out and speaking up for #KieraWilmot and showing #Solidarity4Wilmot. I teared up as I read all of the offers of support to assist Kiera and other students all over the country. I was amazed, but not at all surprised. I know this community of educators, teachers, scientists, makers, tinkerers, parents, grand-parents and even play aunties/uncles like myself is full of generosity and compassion.

So, thank you. Thank you again. You’ll be hearing from me.

Good news: I have heard from Kiera’s mom, Ms. Marie Wilmot. She reached out to me (email), and let me know that she appreciates the support she and her daughters have received from so many people, especially the science community.

No doubt this is very stressful to them all. Kiera is completing the school year at the ‘Alternative School’ and her identical twin sister is still at Bartow High School. She has to deal with the wise-cracking kids who might think taunting her for her sister’s public ordeal is a cute subject. (Ackk! I can just imagine.)

She also let me know that the family has a lawyer, Mr. Larry Hardaway. He’s working diligently to clear Kiera of all charges. Some headway may have been made with the School district. She may be able to return to Bartow High School next year for her senior year – meaning the expulsion is kicked out. However, the criminal charges are still pending. But I am concerned that State Attorney, Jerry Hill, is talking of settling the cases with probation. Probation is NOT a good option for Kiera. Probation would mean a guilty charge — of a felony. It means she is in the Justice system with an adult charge. This is not okay in my book. Nothing that girl did warrants an arrest or criminal record to stain her future.

Here’s hoping the lawyer is on that. In the meantime, the financial strain of a legal defense is something the mother of this family wasn’t set up to do. (What family is?) Many people asked about contributing to a legal fund for Kiera. The Crowdtilt Fundraiser is legitimate and the family is aware of it.

Ms. Wilmot has also created an Indiegogo campaign: Kiera Wilmot Official Fund.

Letters of support and petition still need signatures of support.

Change.org Petition to Polk County School District to Not Expel Kiera Wilmot from School

Change.org Petition to the State Attorney to drop charges against Kiera Wilmot.
Other comments on this situation worth reading:

In Florida, High School Student Kiera Wilmot’s Curiosity Is a Crime?! at the ACLU

The conversation is continuing – about social justice, education, disparities, and STEM. Let’s also continue to find and act on ways to broaden participation in the sciences. Sometimes that means simply not shutting the door on someone before they can walk through it.

ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education has issued a Call for Response from STEM Educators: Sixteen-year old honor student, Kiera Wilmot, expelled, arrested and charged with a felony over a commonplace science project.

Thoughts on Kiera Wilmot: Mentor curiosity to create future scientists by Emily Lakdawalla

Dear Schools: Stop Treating Science-Curious Kids Like Criminals by Dave Mosher

Teachable Moments in Science: Kiera Wilmot by Shareef Jackson

Kiera Wilmot Expelled: Scientists, Teachers Outraged By Harsh Punishment For Teen’s Experiment Accident at the NSTA Web News Digest.

How Not to Nurture Young Scientists by Tamara Johnson at the New York Academy of Sciences.

5 Ways to Stop a Black Scientist: Kiera Wilmot’s Arrest by Chris Emdin at Huffington Post Blog.

Kiera Wilmot, 16, Arrested, Expelled And Charged With Felonies for Bad Science Experiment by Rania Khalek

Wordless Wednesday: Small Wonders of Morogoro

DNLee — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:32:21 +0000

These millipedes are everywhere this rainy season. This variety is not dangerous I am told.

Saw this huge shell in the grass. This fella was as big as my entire hand from palm to tip of fingers!

Baby gecko about an inch long. This little fella hangs out on my desk among my papers, pens and e-devices.

#DispatchesDNLee: Week 2 – Getting to Work in Morogoro

DNLee — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:35:45 +0000

The focus has been getting the trapping research going. It is labor intensive because it requires the labor of setting it up. But as I stated before, the weather is not being my friend.

But here is the recap of my second week in Tanzania.

#DispatchesDNLee: Rain and Field Work

DNLee — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:24:34 +0000

It’s the Rainy Season now in Tanzania. I’ve been told that it should be coming to a close soon. I clearly underestimated how wet it would be. The vegetation is so much more green and lush from before.

The roads are bumpier, rocky and fill with large gaping crevices. Streets I’ve traveled dozens of times before suddenly look and new. It’s wet and muddy everywhere this time around. I will definitely need gum boots this time around.

Confession: I am not feeling the rainy season. Even when it isn’t raining the wet and the thick vegetation are slowing me down. I spent yesterday with two assistants trying to carve out a trapping grid. Although we were on campus, I got turned around and wasn’t quite sure where I was (in relation to where we started and where the truck was parked). It was thick and brambly and one patch of viney branches were so tall and intertwined it reminded me of that scene in Sleepy Beauty where the Prince is hacking his way into the kingdom.

At that point, I just needed out. Field site be damned. As my very amazing assistants were slashing through vegetation I spotted my pink flag tape tied to a tree about 20 yards ahead. I diverted and found my own way out of there! Call it my hood sensibilities, but I don’t like not knowing where the exits are and how to get out of something.

Later when got back to building, I drew out a rough map of the area.

The thick woods are off limits. The guys thought it was funny. I’m still side-eyeing that entire last 70 meters of untamed wilderness I had to go through. Despite my angst, I am glad I explored the field. I like knowing what the conditions are and things out.

My take home message: Setting up trapping grids is better in the dry season. Now I’m hoping for the rain to let up long enough to get outside and finish the grid.

And the rain brings out the bugs. Ants (my arch Arch Nemeses) seem to be everywhere, all of the time. And termites are everywhere, too. I am not above chemical assault. Just keep your fingers crossed for me. Hoping to start trapping soon.

Badaaye

In the meantime, have you signed up for a Postcard from Tanzania? Fill out the form at this link.

The Next Black King of the Kentucky Derby – Kevin Krigger

DNLee — Sat, 04 May 2013 06:56:27 +0000

I am really missing the States right now. Today marks the most exciting sport event in my book, the 139th Run for the Roses, the most exciting 2 minutes in Sports: The Kentucky Derby! I can’t even watch it on TV. (Pole sana for me.)

But I was scanning my Twitter feed and discovered that there was an African-American jockey racing this year: Introducing Mr. Kevin Krigger. (O_0)! I am so intrigued. And it reminded me of an awesome children’s book I read years ago about the last African American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Jimmy “Wink” Winkfield. I’m sharing an archive post that reviewed the book. Go out and get it! Ride hard Kevin, win the Triple Crown.

And they are off!

From Urban Science Adventures! ©

Originally published May 2, 2009: 135th Kentucky Derby.

Today marks the 135th Anniversary of the Run for the Roses in Louisville, Kentucky. I love the Derby. It is the first race of the Triple Crown races. Three year colts (and the occasional Philly) compete to win the one and a quarter mile race at Churchill Downs – a truly beautiful track. It is described as the most exciting two minutes in sports.Though I usually review books on Mondays, I have two books all about horseraces I wanted to introduce you to. It’s timely.

Title: Behind the Scenes The Racehorse
Author: Nikki Tate
Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside

This book explains the domestic history of horses and how humans have harnessed their strength and speed over the ages. Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses are the preferred breeds for racing. The book is a great intro book – explaining the various employment roles of people at racetracks, companion and training animals, training facilities, husbandry and horse racing culture. It also explains how to read a program book. Full of great factoids.

Title: The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby
Author: Crystal Hubbard, Illustrator: Robert McGuire
Publisher: Lee & Low Books Inc.

This book is actually written by a local author (St. Louis, Missouri). I am hoping to meet her and have her sign this book before I donate it to the children of Clay Elementary School. Jimmy “Wink” Winkfield was born and raised in rural Kentucky and love to ride horses. He was a natural. By the age of 19 he was racing horses professionally, and won his first official race in 1899 at the Harlem Racetrack near Chicago, Illinois. The following year he raced in the famed Kentucky Derby and placed 3rd. In 190l, Wink rode His Eminence and won the first race of the Triple Crown; and won again in 1902. His final Derby race was in 1903. He placed second and that was also the last year an African-American competed in the Kentucky Derby.

Well, now I’m off to find my hat and find a great seat to watch the race!

Scientists’ Support for Kiera Wilmot #Solidarity4Wilmot

DNLee — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:05:14 +0000

Here’s what we now know.

Kiera Wilmot was re-creating the Drano Aluminum foil experiment at school. She was outside, before the morning bell. She recreated one of those Wow! Science experiments, the kind we see on Myth Busters or You’ve Been Warned! Folks love those shows. They love doing that crazy stuff at home (although they tell you not to). Who’s the kind of person to push the envelope and risk a little safety just to find out if/how/why? A scientist or an engineer. Outside of the context of today’s alarmist communities, 20 years ago folks would have wagged a finger, “You crazy kids!”

Frankly, that is what most scientists are saying. “I blew something up a school once, too!” in this overwhelming consensus post. The difference now is that most of those people have degrees in science and engineering (in fact, they may be teaching your sons and daughters RIGHT now. Bwaaahahahaha!) not awaiting a court date like Kiera Wilmot.

Here is the incident report:

Wilmot Arrest by Tim Elfrink

Some have asked, ‘why did she do it at school?’

I don’t know, maybe because there is more space at school than at home. I used to take my little side-projects to school, too. More space, more resources, and I wanted to show off to my friends.

But I have my own questions.

Why is she being charged as an adult? What about her made her unworthy of legal protection and privacy that we normally afford to juveniles? Why do the local justice and public school systems of Bartlow, Florida, think it’s perfectly fair to team up against a kid?

She said it was a science experiment but the science teacher said he didn’t know about an experiment.

So, it’s only science if the science teacher says it’s science? Some folks have said that since it wasn’t a class activity (or that the science teacher couldn’t vouch for it) then the girl was merely making an excuse. As if science can only happen under the sanctioned approval and awareness of the science teacher.

Forbid this child had an authentic, self-derived interest in science that hadn’t been formally assigned to her!

With this type of thinking is it any wonder Black and Latino Children are under-represented in Science Fairs. If everyone around you has the idea that only legitimate science experiments are those sanctioned and prescribed to students, then when are students expected to explore independent authentic science interests? In Bartow, Florida, I guess the answer is no.

Adults, we have a problem. We are totally failing at preparing this next generation for adult hood. I personally believe that teens require more supervision than toddlers. They require guidance, instruction, and the opportunity to try out new knowledge. That means letting them take (some) measured risks and helping them recover even if it was all bad.

I don’t like what we’re doing now. We’re policing them and criminalizing their behavior. Some communities are willing to throw a child away for stupid, silly, and yes sometimes unsafe antics, that have been done since the beginning of time. Is this how we prepare the next generation of citizens, leaders, workers, scientists? Is there no opportunity for growth, development, recovery?

This child (and so many like her) deserves her life back. Many have asked me, what can we do? Here is a start.

Contact the School Authorities

Polk County Superintendent, Dr John Stewart. Phone: 863-534-0521 Fax: 863-519-8231
Bartow High School Principal, Mr Ronald Pritchard. Phone: 863-534-7400
Contact the Bartow Police Department
Phone: 863 534-5034 Fax: 863-534-5030 Email: lbryan.pd@cityofbartow

Contact the Bartow Attorney General who named the charges for her.

Sign the Petition to have charges dropped. This young girl is being charged with a violent felony. There was no violence. There was no injury. There was no damage. If left alone, this young could face serious jail time or at the very least be introduced into the criminal justice system. Nothing about this situation or this young person’s history suggest that this is a fair outcome for her.

Share your own story of foolish science shenaningans. I am so proud of how the (online) science community has stood up in support of Kiera . We recognize the possible danger in what she did, because we’ve done it ourselves. By sharing your own story, we want the school officials as well as the Bartow, Florida, to see what she did in the context of scientific curiosity (and child development) — #ScienceIsnotCrime. Moreover, I think it will help her attorneys outline a defense for her. Thousands of scientists and engineers vouch for her. Maybe they’ll call expert witnesses. I hope it doesn’t get that far.

I know many of you want to do more. I completely understand. And we should. The only thing is it’s not clear to me how to contact the family and let them know that we are available to them. Making sure Kiera is safe is first. Clearing her of these charges is the priority. Offers to mentor, teach, do outreach or even start a college fund are secondary to securing her permanent freedom as soon as possible.

So I don’t know where to point you related to offers to contribute to a defense fund or to mentor/teach her or even start a scholarship fund. We may have to hold tight. In the meantime we can show our solidarity for Kiera Wilmot online and with our petitions to the Bartlow authorities.

I also think we need to use this opportunity to initiate some very hard conversations about Mentored opportunities for underserved students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Her case and the reaction of people really shed light on how hungry all youth are for hands-on, minds-on engagement. I recommend hosting community discussions about STEM outreach to teens as a method to deter youth from negative outcomes. If anyone is in a position to make proposals to the National Urban League and the NAACP, then I recommend this topic. Education and STEM access are civil rights issues. We need to talk about how this service community should include more African-American Scientists & STEM as a way to promote Positive Youth Development in Minority Youth.

If you feel so inclined to throw your name into the hat to assist in some way, then please fill out the Google Document. That way, once we learn details, such as the family lawyer or if a defense/scholarship fund has been set up, then we can reach those individuals directly.

Florida teen charged with felony for trying science

DNLee — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:08:57 +0000

News of Kiera Wilmot’s arrest has seriously unnerved me. She is the Florida high school student who was experimenting with common household chemicals in science class that resulted in a minor explosion. There were no injuries and no damage to school property; however, she was taken away in handcuffs, formally arrested and expelled from school.

I acknowledge that too little information has been provided on the case. (UPDATE: Here is the link to the Incident Report filed by the Compliance Officer at her school.) We have NO idea what was happening in the class. Where was the teacher? Were students involved in a laboratory activity at the time? (UPDATE: We now know she was not in class, but was on school grounds before the morning bell rang.) I have spent time in the high school classroom. I know the shenanigans (and havoc) these pre-adults can cause. It is no laughing matter. Even if this were a prank, say something akin to my generation’s idea of setting off smoke bombs in the hall during the passing of classes, my gut reaction stands. (UPDATE: It seems it was NOT aprank. It was a curious kid trying something she saw on the Internet, the toilet cleaner and aluminum project. It still counts as science and as an experiment in my book.)

I don’t like what our public education (and justice) systems do to urban youth (e.g. the discipline gap with Black kids). I worry about urban kids who don’t (tend) to have access to social capital that advocates for them and gives them a chance after stupid mistakes. I worry what this will mean to her family financially. What will it mean for her future? Will graduating from an alternative school prevent her from attending college? Will she be marked as a trouble maker? Will she have a criminal record that prevents her from gainful employment and a meaningful life? More immediately, will she get locked away for 20 years? Shit like that happens to kids who look like her.

from Miami New Times

(Yea, I cussed. That’s how livid I am.) I’ve heard of so many equally stupid and perhaps more dangerous things done by white suburban kids and nothing close to this happens to them.

The School Board had this to say about this situation.

“Anytime a student makes a bad choice it is disappointing to us. Unfortunately, the incident that occurred at Bartow High School yesterday was a serious breach of conduct. In order to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, we simply must uphold our code of conduct rules. We urge our parents to join us in conveying the message that there are consequences to actions. We will not compromise the safety and security of our students and staff.”

This is a VERY BAD message to kids, especially urban students of color.
I’m reading between the lines.
A serious breach of conduct – students not sitting still in seats, faces front and being quiet.
Consequences to actions – kicked out of school, criminalized and tried as an adult for not sitting still, being quiet.

Our nation’s science education is already on shaky ground. Everyday kids are being bored to tears in the average science class. And in far too many urban high school science classes, curiosity, hands-on learning, and authentic experimentation rarely exist. The Pedagogy of Poverty that shapes the learning environment of many African-American, Latino and working class white students in our nation values classroom behavior & discipline over curiosity and exploration.

Many school districts have established Rules of Conduct and Zero Tolerance ordinates that penalize students who question a teacher’s authority on a subject (insubordination) or who require alternative learning approaches (behavior issues). Or worst, the concern over possible safety and security issues have resulted in shuttered science laboratories. I’ve witnessed beautifully remodeled lab classrooms with supplies, computers, and equipment – all locked away, never to be touched by most students.>
Why? Some teachers and administrators worry about damage and wear and tear or shenanigans. But the same administrators will brag about their facilities and take visiting dignitaries to tour their fancy facilities? What’s the point?! The kids aren’t getting a chance to experiment and learn. Such a system rewards students with meaningful learning opportunities only if they act right first. Relevant engaging lessons quash most behavior issues, not the other way around!

Already, students like Keira are behind the curve in preparation for 21st Century jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). A system that values obedience over curiosity isn’t education and it definitely isn’t science. Her expulsion and arrest sends a very clear and striking message to students, especially urban students of color: Don’t try this at home, or school or anywhere. Science exploration is not for you!

And the message to parents is that if you want your child to not get into any trouble, then tell them to sit still and behave. Most parents of Black and Brown kids already worry enough that their children risk arrest or harm for walking around in hoodies. Now the same antics that happen at the Maker Faire can get your kid handcuffed.

I can’t name a single scientist or engineer, who hadn’t blown up, ripped apart, disassembled something at home or otherwise cause a big ruckus at school all in the name of curiosity, myself included. Science is not a clean. It is very messy and it is riddled with mistakes and mishaps.

I wonder if she was experimenting ~~in class~~ because she wanted to actually do something in science class and not merely be lectured to and complete worksheets. I wonder if she was bored or just wanted to see for herself how x and y react to each other.

Science is fun! I spend months traveling around the world studying wild animals in Africa. I have friends who do chemistry and solve crimes and who live on sea vessels for weeks studying plastic trash islands in the ocean. But the average high school student would have no idea of how exciting science could be because we’ve taken the action out of science.

We need to create ‘safe’ environments for children of color, especially Black children to study and pursue STEM. If what happened to Kiera is an example, then formal learning environments do not entrust students to explore science. There is a legitimate fear of extreme consequences; and losing another brilliant mind to the justice system is too great a cost to our community. That era s we need to create resourced and mentored places outside of the classroom for science exploration. Cultivating relationships between scientists and engineers and teachers and students is the key to creating this safe environment. By fostering multi-generational relationships a,omg STEM professionals, students, parents, teachers, and adult influencers we stand a chance at addressing both the justice and STEM education disparities in our community.

#DispatchesDNLee: Settling Back Into Morogoro

DNLee — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:14:27 +0000

I am back and ready to work. Kind of. LOL, this heat and humidity is kicking my butt. What was I thinking coming back in the rainy season? Oh, yeah, I gotta know how the different seasonal patterns may affect natural history of the Pouched Rats.

This is a 4 week old African Pouched rat pup. (Please ignore the ashy elbows, lol)

My time has been on getting the necessary approvals to get back into the field. This season’s goal is to expand my trapping efforts, so securing additional secure places to put traps has been a focus. On the observation front, I have been able to make some great ad libitum observations of animals housed at APOPO.

Mama African Giant Pouched rat and pup

So far so good, but the anxiety of ‘getting enough data’ is beginning to creep in.I have been here almost 2 weeks. I need to get on it. In the meantime, here’s the recap of my First Week in Morogoro, Tanzania (shout out to my awesome social media intern for curating my tweets and status updates).

You can follow along via Twitter (@DNLee5) and The Urban Scientist Facebook Fan Page.

Baadaye!

#DispatchesDNLee: In Tanzania, Reflecting on World Malaria Day

DNLee — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:27:58 +0000

Today, April 25, 2013 is World Malaria Day. I learned about Malaria in junior high school. Along with Yellow Fever and the Flu of 1918 these were the headline diseases we learned about in Health Class. Later in high school biology and social studies courses, I learned about these diseases again. In college I learned about the evolutionary biology of malaria and sickle cell anemia. Again in junior high school, we spent a lot of time talk about Sickle Cell Anemia and trait. (I attended majority African-American public schools from kindergarten to 12th grade.)

I remember getting tested for the trait and feeling lucky that I didn’t carry it. Now, here I am in Tanzania, doing field research (in the rainy season) swatting away at mosquitos and all other kids of bugs and insects. The risk of malaria here is real. I hear people talk about malaria like we discuss allergies back in the United States.

As much as we tend to identify ourselves as natural or applied scientists or artists or social sciences or economists, the truth is this life we live on this planet is an inter-disciplinary experience. As a kid (and young adult) Malaria was something I learned about. Mosquitos (females) bite you. Their saliva infects you with Plasmodium. This bacteria gets in your blood stream, makes you sick – symptoms resemble the flu – and for the very young, old and immuno-compromised, you could die.

Now, my Sickle cell trait-free genotype isn’t such a sweet thing. When did this revelation occur to me? In 2002 when I visited a part of the world where risk of contracting the disease was likely, Guyana, South America. I took my weekly dose of Larium (Mefloquine Hydrochloride) from one week prior to my departure until the 4 week of my return. My other options include Doxycline – antibiotics. I decided against the latter because it was a daily pill (I’m not good at taking daily pills), didn’t want to risk getting a yeast infection in a place where I had no access to traditional plumbing, and it can cause photosensitivity. I was taking a course in Tropical Biology. Sun was going to be a part of the agenda; an since I can get sun-sick anyway I decided to nix that.

I read the side-effects and heard the stories from people. But most everyone who I had known who took it had only crazy dreams. So I did it – for 9 weeks. Popped those pills and for nearly 2 years after I still had some residual side effects. (I have great stories to tell.)
Here I am in Tanzania, another equatorial region country with Malaria presence and once again I decided to take the Larium. (I decided against the Malarone because it is a daily pill and I am here for a long period of time. The cost would have been insane.) According the UN World Health Organization, malaria prevalence has decreased greatly. Morbidity and mortality have been drastically reduced (75%). Much of this is due Mosquito net campaigns with considerable investments from my home country USA.

I am thankful that malarial prevelance is greatly reduced now. That means the risk of contracting the disease is lower, but I still take my anti-malarials. I actually forgot to take my dosage on time this week. I got right on that last night. I am also very vigilant about using mosquito repellant (yes, DEET is your friend, the higher the percentage the better) and sleeping with my net.

My arsenal: The Family Care OFF doesn't work on African Mosquitos. This product contains Picaridin and judging from my feet, ankles and legs means nothing to these local skeeters.

I seek out and destroy mosquitos with a vengeance. Searching them out and killing them. But my regular spraying of my net with 100% DEET usually results in anything lighting on my net and dying.

Although I am barely insured by US standards, I recognize my privilege in this fight. I have access to resources to kill these bugs. I go home to a malaria free region at the end of this stint; and if push comes to shove I can access American/European treatments, i.e. 1st world medical care. I can leverage my privilege and this platform to raise awareness of the many people worldwide who are still affected by malaria and especially here in Africa and Tanzania, my host country.

A child dies every minute from malaria.
Efforts to reduce malaria during the past decade have helped prevent over 1.1 million deaths
There is an annual shortage of US$ 3.6 billion to combat malaria?
~ from The Big Push to End Malaria

: from World Health Organization website.

I am surrounded by lovely people who don’t necessarily have access to medicines or chemicals to fight this disease. I’m doing my little part to raise awareness about Malaria and raising my voice to Roll Back Malaria.

Won’t you join me in Fighting Malaria? Send an e-postcard to friends to help raise awareness of Malaria deaths in Africa and throughout the world.

#DispatchesDNLee: Ninafika Morogoro, Tanzania!

DNLee — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:02:23 +0000

I safely arrived to Mororgoro Tanzania on Wednesday afternoon, April 17. While most of my friends in the States and Canada were rising from their sleep, I was happy to see the cloud-covered Uluhuru mountains high in the sky. I swear it felt like I was just here! As I was coming up the main university road I peered out of the window trying to catch a glance at The Pest Management Center and saw Shabani – The Rat Whisperer - in the drive and he warmly waved and greeted me. I was so pleasantly surprised that he recognized me – and everyone else for that matter. I went to town and the Vodacom sales people remembered me. I got a hello and we haven’t seen you in so long from everyone I bumped into at APOPO and SUA.

Was I that much of a handful? (Don’t answer that, LOL!) It does feel great to be
back. It’s the rainy season here and it looks and feels different this time.

Everything is greener and lusher and thicker. It’s more humid and warmer. And
there are more bugs. (I could do without that last part.)

The view outside my window the rest house I'm staying at in Morogoro, Tanzania

I made the quick rounds and touched base with my contact people, including Professor Makundi. There is some paperwork to handle before I can start research proper, but fingers crossed that I’ll have all of that sorted out by early next week.

In the meantime, check out the Storify of my Preparation adventures: #DispatchesDNLee: Getting ready, Getting There. Tanzania or Bust

#DispatchesDNLee: Postcards from Tanzania 2013

DNLee — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:04:17 +0000

: I’ve got plenty of stamps, so please don’t be shy about postcard requests.

Like last time, I’ll be sending engaging people here, online. Ask questions, share stories. AND I will be sending postcards! Just like before, I am happy to send a postcard to anyone who requests one. Please complete the Google Document below. The document helps me keep track of everyone. If you didn’t get your postcard from last year, please complete the address form below and leave me a note and let me know. I found out for one person that another postcard was stuck to his. (sowwies) This may explain why some people didn’t get cards.

I will be sure to fan postcards well this time. Either way, drop me a line or send me a tweet. I’ll be traveling, in the air (St. Louis – Atlanta – Amsterdam – Nairobi – Dar Es Salaam) starting Monday, April 15, until Wednesday, April 17. I still have a half of a day’s ride to my final destination, Morogoro, Taznanzia. I may need a day or two to rest up then get my technology on deck. Feel free to leave messages for me here or shout outs on Twitter or my Facebook Fan Page, use the hashtag #DispatchesDNLee - because the short updates are easier than blog posts.

I get several requests from families and educators from all over. Sharing these postcards are a tiny piece of outreach but it goes a long way to inspire kids and kids at heart who only dream of travel and doing science. If you feel so inclined to donate ($5 or so) to offset the cost of postage, I would greatly appreciate it. It will help share sciene with more people.

#DispatchesDNLee: Departing for Tanzania today

DNLee — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:47:14 +0000

Mambo!

I’m departing today for Tanzania. I’m actually looking forward to returning to the field. (I love field work and the chance to get dirty, travel and experience the world from different perspectives.) I’m telling you, being a field ecologist is the best!

Dispatches from Tanzania (art work by @Lalsox)

I managed to get most of everything I said I needed and wanted to get (the 5 things I must have when I return to Tanzania). And I even remembered to take care of some logistical prep work, too. I made sure to book my originating flight in a large jet so that I can carry all of my equipment and gear with me.

The Sky cab looked at all the luggage & exhaled. Then he lowered & shook his head. How many traveling, he asks. ME, I respond. It's like Coming to America in reverse. Lol

I called ahead to get pre-approved for bags byt that is never a guarantee. Arrive a few hours early and patience plus having good folks behind the counter is always a plus. Delta Airlines did alright by me again.

I’ll be posting updates via Twitter (@DNLee5) and using the hashtag #DispatchesDNLee while I am traveling. Or if you are on Facebook, you can get updates via my Fan Page. And yes, I’m sending postcards again this year, you can sign up for one here; and if you’re interested in helping to offset the cost of post cards, you could make a nominal donation at this PayPal link. Thank you!

Can’t wait to hear from you. Leave a comment or ask a question. I might answer it as a blog post!

In the meantime I’m praying for Safari njema (wow, I can’t believe how much Swahili I’m recalling.)
Badaaye
Dada DNLee

#DispatchesDNLee: Tanzania from A to Z – Cell Phone Technology

DNLee — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:35:37 +0000

During my visit to Tanzania in Summer 2012, I began a series of posts sharing my experiences in Tanzania from A to Z.

C is for Cell Phone Technology

I attended the Blogging from Developing Nations Panel at ScienceOnline 2012, to prepare for my visit to Tanzania. I wanted to get an idea of what to expect, technology-wise while visiting Africa. I made several Twitter friends who were from Tanzania and a few US researchers who worked/studied in Tanzania. They all gave me some good insight. I was heartened to learn that Tanzania, like most of developing world is 3G accessible… Actually, some parts of Tanzania are 3.75 G.

I have no idea what 3.75 G is. (LOL)

I read that these nations were actually the leaders in innovation and expansive adoption of mobile technology for a variety of needs: banking, communicating internationally, surfing the web, and commerce. And it is true. I was so impressed!This simple monochrome screen old-school phone can do as much, perhaps more than our fancy-pants smart phones we love so much in the West. Even without QWERTY key pads folks text message, pay bills, access the internet and more. And it’s all facilated via something equally simple – scratch off credit vouchers.

You purchase credit vouchers from your provider. In Tanzania the popular providers include Zantel, Airtel, Tigo, and Vodacom. I used Zantel for my cell phone and PC tablet internet. I used Vodacom for my iPad. These credits are money and very valuable. You load the credits on your cell phone.

First, Scratch off to reveal the PIN number on the back of the card.

Next, dial the code to load and the PIN number to the phone. This uploads credit to your phone. You can use the value of the credits you’ve loaded to make and receive calls as well as text messages. You can also transfer this credit to pay for other services. Following a set of prompts, on your phone’s menu you can transfer credit to pay for internet access. I am told a similar method is employed to pay bills or transfer money to other people (think Western Union, but all via cell phone). I loved it. I thought was completely different way of using and relating to technology. The device isn’t what controls the technology, it’s all in the Cards – Scratch-off Voucher Cards and the SIM Cards.

Phones don’t come with a plan. Any phone can be used with any provider. It’s the SIM card, which only cost Tsh 1000 (~ $0.65 USD) that makes communication and transactions possible. The SIM cards is how you get your phone number. It’s this number that you load and transfer credits to other services. You can take your SIM Card and put it in any device that it fits. Prices for phone and internet services vary, so it isn’t uncommon for folks to have multiple phones and numbers to handle business.

The serial number is your phone number

SIM cards only come in one size. For Apple devices you have to cut the card to size

I tried to cut my SIM card free-hand. I later learned there’s a guy with a card puncher that cuts the SIM card to size perfectly for Apply devices. Another example of how Maker Technology fuels entrepreneurial opportunities to solve real-life challenges.

*********

Other posts in the #DispatchesDNLee: Tanzania from A to Z series
#DispatchesDNLee: Tanzania from A to Z – Archaeology
#DispatchesDNLee: Tanzania from A to Z – Botany

#DispatchesDNLee: T-minus 10 days (until Tanzania)

DNLee — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:51:35 +0000

I will be departing the United States for Tanzania, Africa. I am actually quite excited about the return. I’m looking forward to returning to the field, seeing how things may have changed, remained the same, everything. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again, catching up, hearing stories. I am also excited about getting back to work.

I feel productive in the field. True, a lot of data may not be harvested from old-fashioned field ecology work, but it yields the most gratifying sense of ache and tired I know of in science. And I mean physical aches, bumps, brusises, and close-calls. Okay, I really have romanticized the experience, but I love it. Every spitting-cussing-dodging minute of it.

I have been making lists – of things to do before I leave, things I need to do in order to leave and things I need to buy or aquire.

And I have been packing bags.

Big Bags!!

It’s something. But I learned some lessons last year and I am applying them this year. For example, I booked my originating flight out on a big jet so that I can take all of my excess over-sized bags with me. Before the airline would only allow me a maximum of 4 checked bags. I had 10 with me – which is the absolute limit. But if any of your jets are smaller planes – which the one I took out of Oklahoma City was, then 4 is the limit. Big jets that fly across nations or oceans are bigger and can handle more. That alone makes a difference. I need to carry more traps and my gear. So, I’m busy at it.

In the meantime, I hope you revisit my posts from last year: #DisptachesDNLee 2012 (I’ll be using the hashtag again this year, so you can follow along as I pack and prepare.)
Wordless Wednesday: Tanzania Horizons
Wordless Wednesday: #DispatchesDNLee Field Research in Tanzania
#DispatchesDNLee: Trapping in Tanzania
#DispatchesDNLee: Retrieving and Restraining Rats
#DispatchesDNLee: 4 Weeks in Tanzania and checking in

Plus, check out my posts at Outdoor Afro where I share my personal experiences visiting Africa and enjoying all of its natural outdoor beauty.
#DispatchesDNLee: An Outdoor Afro Adventure to Africa
#DispatchesDNLee: Iringa Tanzania Offers Culture, Wildlife, and Outdoor Adventure

I’m looking forward to see Dar Es Salaam again.

the beautiful Indian Ocean behind me

Racism in Porn industry is newsworthy, so how can science make the cut?

DNLee — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:40:59 +0000

I saw a tweet for this article this morning, April 3, 2013. I read the byline and realized that it was an original article written for The Root. It was not a wire story with a link to an article originally published somewhere else (like many of their pieces). No, this was a very well-written and researched article, a commentary on society. It was written by the Political Correspondent for the outlet. As I read it, I couldn’t help but feel just a little down because I have yet to read an original piece on STEM or science at The Root. I linked to the story and wondered what might be the best way to engage the decision makers at The Root and kindly request they hire a science/STEM education correspondent to the staff. My reasoning: if there was a dedicated correspondent to science, technology, engineering, and/or math education and topics, then perhaps that person could write detailed, engaging original pieces at The Root about a variety of news worthy topics, too. Surely, if racism and porn fits the criteria of

The Root: Black News, Opinion, Politics and Culture
The Root is a daily online magazine that provides thought-provoking commentary on today’s news from a variety of black perspectives.

then surely most anything science-related could earn a spot, too. (I’m being schwmarmy, I know…but the original piece was good and I am not picking on it. Just pointing out that STEM is as news-worthy as this topic and arguably actually informs readers lives in a more-meaningful way.)

A good friend asked me a very important question.

What is your issue with them now? Do you think every magazine should have STEM stuff in it?

Yes, I do. I’ve been going in hard on the Black Press and their mostly lack of STEM coverage. I’m not letting up either.

her follow up

Not every black periodical is the right place for science (or STEM in general). It’s business.

Maybe not ‘every one’ but the ones I’ve been picking on certainly are: The Grio, Ebony Magazine, The Root, The Loop 21, Black Voices, Essence Magazine, Jet Magazine. Here are the reasons why.

1. Each of them are general news outlets that state in their own mission statements that they deliver important news to & about African-American audiences (Essence is a woman’s magazine, the only caveat to that).

About Us ~ The Root
The Root is the leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective. Founded in 2008 under the leadership of Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard University, The Root offers a unique take on breaking news, provides solid analysis and presents dynamic multimedia content. The Root raises the profile of black voices in mainstream media and engages anyone interested in black culture around the world.

One of the points I have tried to make is that Black Scientists and Engineers are not among those whose voices are being heard at these outlets. If ‘our own’ press outlets rarely give us the opportunity to speak out on these issues, then how can our profile be raised within and outside of the community? Furthermore, when important issues related to these topics are not a part of the typical news cycle people miss out or may over look some very important information.

2. My contention is that STEM is an important part of the news cycle — equivalent to politics, social events, education. I think the fact (and history) that both editors and audiences – like many of my friends – consider science/STEM as special or exceptional is really where the gulf lies. I’ve heard the same arguments from reporters & editors.

3. These periodicals often report around STEM issues but rarely provide in depth information for readers.

Salute! Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Goes After Diversity In The Sciences ~The Loop 21

Especially for those that claim to have a social justice component in their journalism, it creates a disconnect to call for readers to act on an issue if they haven’t really had much time or opportunity to engage in it, understand it. Providing routine, quality, accurate science and tech news lays that foundation.

About Us ~ The Loop 21
TheLoop21.com offers insight, resources and opinions on African American issues. Our content serves to advance the debate towards Black economic progress by focusing on finance, politics and culture.

How do we move the conversation forward if this topic is only mentioned occasionally at the news site? Regular news coverage on this topic – Diversity in the Sciences -and relating it to real people’s everyday lives how we build toward progress and parity.

4. My effort isn’t just about getting the periodicals to publish more STEM it is also about raising awareness among readers – like my friends and family – about the lack of science information in the stories that these outlets already provide. I’m trying to inspire an appetite for STEM in people, primarily because it has been so long overlooked or exceptionalized by Black Press. I do recognize the economics in media. No one is likely to create a space for science news or hire science journalists if they aren’t getting *enough* demand for it. That’s why I keep calling attention to it, especially when I have the opportunity to point out how resources are being used to report information that isn’t necessarily life informing – like this Racism in Pornography piece.

5. I am trying to galvanize people and bring more critical readers to these outlets which should speak to economics. One of the things that comes up often among my college-educated African-Americans peers is how little many of us read these publications or how we don’t take them seriously as news providers (any more). That is a very telling and striking truth for editors to own. I think it would be helpful if they heard directly from folks like and let them know that we want serious news. I offer STEM as one of the things I, a consumer, would like to see featured more often. I’m trying to identify others who would agree and ask them to join me in this request.

As someone on Twitter pointed out, a supplier isn’t likely to respond to a new/novel consumer demand if it is going to cost them more than what they will get in return. If Black Press is taking a page from bigger mainstream media outlets, then they’ll see that science news isn’t profitable. Maybe if we can show them that the cost to hire a science journalist wouldn’t set them back and the added engaging coverage will bring more readers…But this is a hard sell. I know. Science desks are closing down left and right. (But these notes on How to Break into Science Writing are good.)

But I have a crazy dream, as major news outlets are shutting down Science Desks, Ethnic Media Markets will hire those displaced science journalists. I envision really expansive science, health, tech news sections & editors at each of these diverse media market outlets, and more. And from where I am sitting everything about ethnic media market models makes them ideal outlets to produce relevant hard-hitting science, health, and environment news coverage. If Playboy Magazine can win awards for its in-depth & accurate original science articles, I see no valid reason why magazines like Ebony or Essence could not as well.

I’m not asking them to step way outside of the box (yet). The Root is published by The Slate Group, a Division of the Washington Post Company. Slate is one of the most scientifically receptive online new sites out there. They publish detailed, nuanced science and tech stories everyday! The Washington Post is one of the few mainstream outlets that still has a Health & Science Section. TheGrio is a member of NBC News Digital, which has its own dedicated Science Editor.

About ~ TheGrio
TheGrio.com is the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets.

For these news services, I am not asking for a stretch of the model or the brand. I am simply asking for inclusiveness – of STEM content – and pluralism – representing diverse professional profiles to feature.

It has been recommended to me to create a special publication for STEM news for Black Audiences. That’s not off of the table; but the issue of push-pull dynamics keep coming into play. I am deliberately trying to engage Push Sources. It is not an easy feat, and it this even a Black Press issue. It’s happening all over, but I am bringing attention to the issue in order to have a focused conversation about the state of science literacy in the African-American community. I don’t believe that conversation can be had without involving Black Press Outlets.

What say you? Do you think that engaging Ethnic Media Outlets in focused conversations about science-related news coverage makes a difference?

A Game of Thrones: Pheromones & Gene Expression in Worker Bees Play Pivotal Roles in Queen Development

DNLee — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:37:21 +0000

This post was originally posted at Urban Science Adventures! © on March 2, 2010 titled: Honey Bees Buzz with Individuality.

I still enjoy the subject of this paper. I lead a journal discussion with my lab group. I thought it would be a great paper for our group since research topics include individual variation, genetic, and neuroscience approaches to study animal behavior. Plus, it’s a good foundation paper on genomic transcription. My post-doctoral research will eventually include such analysis of the African Pouched Rats and their behavior.

Individual Variation in Pheromone Response Correlates with Reproductive Traits and Brain Gene Expression in Worker Honey Bees

by: Sarah D. Kocher, Julien F. Ayroles, Eric A. Stone, Christina M. Grozinger

Study Summary
The researchers examined a behavior in honey bees known to regulate the social behavior of the hive – the retinue response. Retinue response is the amount of time and attention worker bees pay to the queen because of a special pheromone or chemical she sends out. This chemical keeps the hive socially connected. In any group of animals, individuals will behave differently. Some worker responses have a very high retinue response – spending a lot time very close to the queen and picking up the pheromone; and some others have a very low retinue response. The authors set out to measure the amount of individual differences in behavioral and physiological (internal body function) responses to queen pheromones.

Normally, the Queen pheromone is spread over the hive by daughter worker bees. However, there are some worker bees who either don’t prefer the pheromone or avoid the queen altogether. When that happens, physiological changes occur and these daughters have somewhat developed ovaries. These stand-offish daughters have been known to lay their own eggs (usually a no-no in polite Hymenopteran society) which can develop into reproductively capable sons. That doesn’t often happen because other sisters who find nephews (and not brothers) in the bee nursery have been known to discard or destroy the eggs or pupae.

Worker honey bees from two different sub-species (or races): Carniolan and Italian bees were observed. These are very old and well-known races of bees that are morphologically distinct (different physical appearance and shape). The researchers studied 5 colonies of the Carniolan bees and 4 colonies of the Italian bees.

Carniolan queen bee with attendants on a honeycomb. from Wikipedia

Each colony in this study was comprised of full sister worker bees. In bees (and in other Hymenoptera like wasps, hornets, and ants) full sisters are related to each other by 75%. Unlike people (and other mammals), full bee sisters are more related to each other than they are to their mom. I got half (50%) of my chromosomes from my mom, and half (50%) from my dad. Any of my full siblings get the same percentage, but not necessary the exact same chromosomes, so we’re related to each other by 50%, too. In bees, mothers give their daughters half of their chromosomes (50%), but dads give daughters everything – the whole set of chromosomes (100%). So it’s a family affair in the bee hive. With that being said, the authors set out to know how can full sisters that are so highly related still behave so very differently from each other?

Drops of diluted queen pheromone were placed on a slide and introduced to smaller groups of bees (from each colony). The researchers counted the number of worker bees that came into contact with the pheromone and the number of times each bee visited the slide over a period of time (25 minutes). They did this for 5 consecutive days, doing it in the spring and again in the fall. They compare the behavior of bees (number of visits to the slide) across colonies and between individuals within each colony.

What did they find?

Well, first not all worker bees behaved the same. There was considerable variation between individuals and across colonies. Some individuals visited the pheromone more than others, but there were no big differences between Carniolan and Italian bees. However, they did find worker bees that visited the pheromone less were the ones who had better developed ovaries than sisters who visited the pheromone more. Not only were there behavioral differences among sisters, there were also internal changes that corresponded to this behavior. The researchers confirmed that retinue response to Queen hormone is important for suppressing worker be ovary development which keeps them from having their own baby bee-sons.

Just as there were high and low visiting bees, there were also high low responding colonies – individual and colony differences in behavior. So what could be driving these differences? Like I mentioned before, all of study bees were full sisters to each other so it can’t be the genes, right? Well, not quite. The researchers did identify the genes they believe responsible for retinue response. What they found was that although the sisters may have been similar to each other in the types of genes they had, gene expression differed from bee to bee. It’s one thing to have the same gene as another individual. It’s something else to have that gene actually work and perform in the body. For example, let’s say you and I have the same gene that codes for digesting carbohydrates. The same gene in your body may do more work (or less work) than that same gene does in my body. This is called individual variation in genetic expression and that is what seems to be at play with the bees. Retinue response is correlated to ovarian development which is correlated to gene expression.

They were the same, but they were different, too; and these differences could be measure inside (genetically and physiology) and out (behavior).

Why does any of this matter?

In a natural colony of honey bees, the hive must survive. Though most of the time the Queen is laying eggs to make more worker bees, change does come. Queens don’t live forever. When the old queen dies, worker bees go into fast action to raise a sister queen bee. That ‘new’ queen will be the one laying eggs that will become the next generation of bee babies — workers. Who does this important work of preparing the next Queen? Worker bees with higher retinue response. They raise the next and future queen. They make sure any eggs already laid get the necessary nutrition (royal jelly) to put them on the fast track to the throne. (Worker bees and queen bees are genetically similar, the time to develop and type of food fed as a pupae is what makes them physically, physiologically, and behaviorally different from each other).

On the hand, worker bees with lower retinue response, those with better developed ovaries, are able to lay eggs and produce sons. Normally other worker bees patrol cells and discard drones laid by other workers (Queens lay drone eggs, too, but even these drones/brothers get the side-eye from worker bees/sisters who would rather invest time and energy raising more sisters). However, in such a state of transition, these worker-laid eggs stand a shot of maturing. If they do make it, then they will soon leave the hive and go and mate with other queens when he becomes mature. In this way, some worker bees (i.e. those with lower retinue response) are able to reproduce and their genes around.

Full Citation: Kocher SD, Ayroles JF, Stone EA, & Grozinger CM (2010). Individual variation in pheromone response correlates with reproductive traits and brain gene expression in worker honey bees. PloS one, 5 (2) PMID: 20161742

My comments to this article: PLoSone.org

Spit a Rhyme, Drop Some Science

DNLee — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:39:00 +0000

Hip Hop Education is taking over the world. My brother in science and hip hop Dr. Chris Emdin and The GZA of Wu-Tang have rolled out an amazing science education and engagement platform: Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. High School students create rhymes and battle each other to demonstrate not only their MC prowess but science comprehension as well.

Kicking it my bro, Chris Emdin at Columbia College Teachers College. He.Is.So.DOPE!

I know. So awesome. What? You want next? Bet.

PBS News Hour invites you to Create Your Own Science Rap.

(details at School House Rapping With Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA and below)

Enter your own science rap or hip-hop verse for a chance to win a PBS NewsHour mug signed by GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan along with a personal video shout-out from the rap legend himself. Our contest is modeled after the Science Genius competition, a partnership between GZA, Christopher Emdin and Rap Genius. Entries will be judged by Emdin and two of his Columbia University Teachers College graduate students.

How to submit a video:

Create your science rap video according to the guidelines below and upload it to YouTube.
Click here to submit your entry in the contest. (You must log in to your YouTube account.)
Now, choose the video from your channel and submit it as a response to GZA’s YouTube video.
Videos will be reviewed and approved before they become visible on the PBS NewsHour channel.

Competition guidelines:

Entries must incorporate at least one scientific topic/concept into 16 bars of verse. (16 bars is the length of a traditional verse, and a bar is made up of beats of four.) I recommend Evolution or Ecology. Shoot who am I kidding,go big, do Sexual Selection and avoid swear words. You will so own the mic after that. LOL
The main topic/concept of the rap must be referenced in different ways at least three times in the verse.
Be creative in your expression of the science (E.g.: envision yourself either as somebody involved in the scientific process or an object undergoing the scientific process. Draw connections between your real world experiences and the concepts themselves.)
Information must be scientifically accurate and verifiable.
Lyrics must rhyme, and incorporate metaphor/analogy
Entries are due by Friday, May 3.

Interested in the Intersection of Hip Hop and Education? Then please follow #HipHopEd. Weekly Twitter chats Tuesdays, 9 pm EST.

What is the rightful place of science in society, in minority communities?

DNLee — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:06:17 +0000

In President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration Speech, he vowed “to restore science to its rightful place” in society. Hearing those words from him filled me with an excitement and eagerness to do and share science more than before. It excited me then and now into his second term he has announced the STEM Master Teacher Corps and the White House Initiative to Improve Educational Outcomes for African-Americans. There is amazing opportunity in the air for STEM diversity (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). In fact, US House Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson has (re) Introduced STEM Opportunities Act to identify solutions to including more women in the STEM career force. This pending bill presents a perfect opportunity to engage folks in a conversation about Science.

What is Science? Why does Science matter, especially to minority communities that are presently under-represented in STEM? Furthermore, how can the Science community effectively engage minority communities in STEM? How does present news coverage directed at minority communities communicate science? Can we improve and increase science news to these audiences in order to raise awareness of opportunities in STEM?

These questions harked back to an essay I had written before that was published in The St. Louis American, February 2009, as was a part of the The Rightful Place Project.

What is science’s rightful place in society? And what place should science have in the African-American community?

There has been a long and understandably uneasy relationship between the Black Community and Science. Being regarded as less-than-human by other groups has put many of our fore-parents in harm’s way. I could speak volumes on the unethical medical research and heartless medical providers, but “this is a new day”, as Obama declared. It is time to restore Science – the offspring Education and Intellectualism – to its rightful place in our community.

In order to restore science to its rightful place, we must first acknowledge what science is. Science is a pursuit of knowledge. It drives us to question, to critique, to hypothesize, to measure, to evaluate, to interpret, and to propose solutions to our community’s most pressing needs. It is an exercise of intellect, discipline and curiosity that compels us to want to understand our world and to make it better. Restoring science to its rightful place requires a dedication for us all to become scientifically literate – to understand science and use it to enhance our lives.

Science is simply information about our world, our environment, and our health. People’s lives are impacted by information, and failing to comprehend information can be very detrimental. I have personally witnessed the heartbreaking consequences of scientific illiteracy in our community, such as individuals deciding to forgo life-saving medical procedures, not following to doctors’ health advice, moving into environmentally hazardous buildings, and sharing false information about health or medical issues with others. Many of us have confused superstition as fact, and have paid the price. Moreover, many of social circles do not include scientists or doctors so we have no one to call when questions arise. Image how much better our lives would if science were a part of the decisions we made about our health, our children, and our environment?

The rightful place of science is in our day-to-day dialogue with friends and family. The rightful place of science is at our dinner table, happy hour gatherings, within the banter of men in barber shops and among the chatter of ladies in hair salons. Science rightfully belongs to us, the people. It is not some mysterious activity done by ‘others’. No, many of the greatest scientists of all time came from our community – Drs. Charles H. Turner, Edward Bouchet, George Washington Carver, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mae Jemison, Ian Smith, Shirley Jackson, James Gates, Maydianne Andrade, and Shirley Malcolm. Science is our most handy tool in our arsenal against discrimination, poverty, socio-economic disparity and environmental injustice. The rightful place of science in our society and the African-American community is within us.

Tanzania Dreaming: Preparing for #DispatchesDNLee 2013

DNLee — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:29:46 +0000

My hands are full lately, as you can tell.
Here I am checking on one of my Ghana Pouched Rats. Just as adorbs, but I am sure very different than my Tanzania Pouched Rats – in look and behavior.

Notice how I’m NOT in this picture with this sleepy-head rat. I’m interested in working with him nonetheless, I just have to be more careful. I depart in less than a month, so I’ve got to get ‘my lab’ in order here at home (I finally have a colony to observe) and gear up for my field research in Africa.

Remember all of the lovely adventures? Well, let’s take a walk down memory lane – or for the newcomers – Check it out!

Here are the first 5 entries that introduce #DispatchesDNLee.
The Urban Scientist presents Dispatches from Tanzania #DispatchesDNLee
#DispatchesDNLee: Postcards from Tanzania
#DispatchesDNLee: Safe and sound in Tanzania
#DispatchesDNLee: Preparing for Tanzania – Vaccinations
#DispatchesDNLee: Preparing for Tanzania – Lists & Logistics

Plus, check out my posts at Double X Science that discussed my personal accounts of my experiences as a female researcher in Africa.
African-American and female, doing field research in Africa
#DispatchesDNLee: Handling lady-business in the field
DXS Podcast:Mary Ingalls, a Woman and Scientist in Africa, and Whales

Visit the other posts and leave comments. Please, please, please drop me a note. I love hearing from you.

Baadaye,
Dada DNLee

#Journosplain meets #Scisplain – Bridging Science & Journalism

DNLee — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:11:33 +0000

I love the internet! I especially love how video and audio conferencing technology makes it possible for people to access experts across the landscape. Moments before I signed on to G+ to host a chat between Journalists and Scientists, my friend and colleague Skyped me up to better explain a concept to his population ecology students. 10 minutes: in and out. He was drawing out a diagram and I explained a concept that students were having a hard time comprehending.

So when @BoraZ @JBey @EvetteDionne @ThorsonofOdin, J Isler and myself signed on to G+ On Air Hang out to discuss ways to bridge science and journalism I was already on a high.
Let me say this first: I am SO grateful to each of them for participating and sharing their wisdom and experiences in communication and outreach.

We have a growing community of science communicators that involves scientists, journalists and more. There is work to do. Scientists must cultivate some skills – develop our chops – and learn to deliver meaningful pitches to editors.

Journalists will need to stretch beyond the typical journalism lines – broaden their vision – and learn to see the science embedded in a story. But what I walked away with was an overwhelming feeling of confidence that this bridge is being built. Right now, and it will be awesome!

There was a lot of good stuff in the chat, video below. Here are some of the take-aways and link to resources.

1) Scientists and Journalists need to befriend each other. Here are some places to meet:
Help A Reporter Out on Twitter as @HelpaReporter and Profnet
These are expertise genies to help journalists connect to experts.

2) Participate in on going chats – like #Jchat or #STEMchat. Cross-pollinate the conversations. This lets journalists know you exist as well as demonstrate your expertise and communication style in certain topics. Make friends with people on Twitter, LinkedIn and email.

3) Attend events and meet people I real life. Networking events, meetups are great. Presenting at communication conferences are good if you are aware of proposal deadlines.

4) Practice making pitches. Here is a useful piece about pitches: http://www.theopennotebook.com/2012/01/04/how-not-to-pitch/.
Kris and I realized that it might be good for us to practice writing pitches in small groups to each other. Maybe forming a pitch writing group? For graduate students, consider attending a science communication course if your university offers it.

5) On Science Explainers. They can be a good thing, but what’s inherently interesting to a scientist needs to be framed or packaged in way to make it interesting to an editor and ultimately to the readers of a publication. Keep in mind that explainers that elucidate information on a breaking news or hot topic issue are always a good thing. Check out Journalists Resource – Science for information.

Let us know what you think and how you would love to participate in this conversation. Join the ScienceOnline Continue the Conversation – #Journosplain #Scisplain Forum

Science Reporting Across Cultures: Engaging Diverse Audiences in Evolution and other science topics

DNLee — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:27:12 +0000

I was invited to participate in a weekend workshop on science communication by NESCent: The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in North Carolina. I will join a cadre of other science communicators, scientists, and journalists to hash out what to do about this ongoing battle to get quality accurate science news and reports about evolution to the public.

Reporting Across the Culture Wars: Engaging Media on Evolution

Science is embroiled in a culture war. A lack of understanding of the nature of science by the general public has been exploited by groups with a political or religious agenda to generate confusion about scientific information key to understanding issues such as the implications of climate change. Many of these culture wars are fought in the media and it is important to note that while attacks on science are not new, they coincide with an unprecedented upheaval in the state of journalism. The shift toward 24-hour coverage of news events, which is expected to be both immediately and freely accessible has driven media outlets to extremes to maintain viability. Among the casualties, newspaper science sections are disappearing and journalists are expected to juggle a wide array of topics in their daily news coverage – often without adequate training. As a result, newspaper coverage of public controversies about scientific issues, takes a cautious, uninformed “he said, she said” approach and fails to inform readers. The misinformation is especially acute in small-town newspaper coverage. Unfortunately, the this “fair-and-balanced” reporting leads readers to believe that there is a genuine controversy in the scientific community and one side is as credible as the other. We propose a catalysis meeting consisting of both scientists and journalists to develop ways to address these issues so that researchers are better prepared to support accurate media coverage and reporters and editors have a general understanding of scientific issues before such public controversies erupt.

My science outreach emphasis has always been about broadening participation of STEM. I use my own experiences – as an African-American, a woman, a kid from a working class family, an urbanite, a first-generation college graduate, a nature nerd – to introduce science to traditionally under-presented individuals. I have faced many challenges as a minority in STEM, but my latest challenge has been confronting how being a STEM professional makes me a minority within my own demographic. Life as a Black Scientist or Engineer can often feel like a visit to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Although our social and civic institutions applaud pioneers and tastemakers in science, they also decry the great disparity in academic performance and achievement our group experiences. Feast or famine, there seems to be no happy medium.

As I prepare to attend the meeting in North Carolina, I have to admit some very hard truths about media directed at African-Americans. The dynamics are not very much different that those small-town newspapers or regional press programs. The news is directed at a targeted audiences, staffs have been drastically cut back and many are striving to stay afloat. However, unlike mainstream outlets, Black newspapers, magazines and their digital counterparts haven’t had to face shutting down science desks. The science desk never existed.

As we all sit around the table trying to suture the wound of nixing science journalism from many newspapers, magazines and websites, I am desperately thinking of how science journalism can be implanted in ethnic journalism in the first place. My fear is if major media companies cut science news, then smaller diverse market media companies will take that as a sign that science is less worthy of the coverage that it already gets. And science coverage in noted periodicals like Ebony Magazine, Jet Magazine, Black Voices, The Grio, Clutch Magazine, The Loop 21, and Essence Magazine are already light – in number of articles and depth of stories.

What can we do about this?

I’ve participated in too many tears-in-my-beer sessions with other African-American STEM professionals who are similarly sad about the state of our community. We want more for our young people and our elders; plus several of us are interested in reading more science news in the periodicals we grew up reading. We are eager to hear science experts on the shows we love to talk about. We are ready and willing to serve, but we are not quite sure what role we play. Some of us wonder if the larger community values us or our expertise.

We’re not random outsiders – not technically speaking. We are the demographic of Ebony, Jet, etc.. But I – and other Blerds – can’t seem to get our stories, our voices heard with any real consistency at these high impact periodicals and websites.

I'm at a lost. I'm scratching my head.

I’m frustrated because I feel lost. I can’t seem to solve this problem. My wits and smarts give me no advantage in this situation.

It’s like we’re yelling into a vacuum

Thanks to social media and networks, African-American science, tech, engineering, and mathematics innovators are investing considering time, talents and treasure to inspire/mentor the next generation of STEM scholars. And we are connecting to each other. We encourage each other and support each others’ programs. We represent a brain-trust that is being largely overlooked or simply isn’t recognized by noted Influencers in the African-American community. Yet, questions about the President’s Math and Science Initiative or Environmental Justice or Heath Disparities keep coming up and expertise from ‘our community’ is rarely called upon to participate in the conversation.

To the journalists, editors and producers of news programs, we want you to know that we are available. We want to participate. Like our Political Science brethren, we are willing and able to share our expertise with your audiences.

Most of us are not journalists, so we are naïve about pitching stories or knowing how to make ourselves available to you. I think part of the issue is that journalism has compartmentalized science as some sideline topic. But science is embedded in every story. Can’t we sit and chat and find ways to work together and connect the dots?

It will also help us if we knew what your thoughts of science were. What are you looking for in a news story about STEM? What makes an interesting, engaging, and informative story?

What role could African-American scientists, engineers and science and math educators play in the editorial process of your brand?

We really want to know.