Appendix A


Activity: Science Spotlight Posters Grade Levels: Middle and High School


Begin my asking your students what interests them about science and what kind of scientist they might want to learn more about. If they struggle with answers, feel free to give them suggestions such as marine biologist, microbiologist, chemist, geologist, etc.


Once they pick a kind of scientist, have the remainder of class come up with interview questions. These questions should be a mix of formal and informal questions, so students can both learn about what it’s like to work in STEM and connect with a science professional on a person level. In my example below (Figure A), I asked Molly the microbiologist about her specialties and education as well as her favorite hobbies outside of work.


Research a company, preferably local, that employs the science professional the class wishes to learn more about and contact them. Send them your questionnaire and remember to ask for some action photos or headshots. Make sure to research local museums and universities, as they generally have larger staffs from a wide variety of disciplines. Use your interview Q&A to design a poster showcasing the science professional. There are many free options such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Adobe Spark, and Canva to create posters the size of classic printer paper (8.5” x 11”).


edition of 2017’s ScientistSpotlight.


This issue features Molly Fox, a 26-year-old Laboratory Analyst who got her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Marywood University right here in Scranton.


Molly is a Laboratory Analyst II at Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation in Jessup, Pennsylvania.


The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF) is the largest tissue bank in the United States. Since 1987, the foundation has provided over 7 million allografts from over 115,000 donors. MTF has three clear goals: make more safe tissue available to patients, provide the highest quality tissue, and advance the science of tissue transplantations.


We asked Molly some questions to get to know her better and understand how she came to be in this career. As you read, think about how Molly got to be doing the job that she is. What questions do you have for someone like Molly?


Figure A: Scientist Spotlight Page 12 Green Teacher 122


SCIENTISTSPOTLIGHT SAY HELLO to the final


Q What are your areas of expertise? A I specialize in Membrane Filtration and Swab Sampling. To do this, I filter water samples that have run through ports in the main sterile lab and cleanrooms where tissue is processed. I run the water through separate filter receivers and then plate the filters on agar touch media. The plates are incubated for 72 hours and then analyzed for presence (growth) of any microbial organisms. If growths are positive, then they are swabbed and plated on new media and then stained for morphology and purity.


Q How and when did you become interested in science?


A My high school chemistry teacher sparked my interest in all science.


Q What is the greatest aspect of your job?


A Knowing that the end result of my daily work is used to help someone.


Q What advice do you have for any young aspiring scientists?


A Explore the possibilities. There are many different fields and aspects of science. You just need to find the one that you like the most.


Q What advice do you have for kids who are intimidate by science?


A Don’t be. Science is interesting the more you study it!


“When the lab coats come off…”


Q We are trying to prove that scientists are people too. What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of the lab? A I like to play piano as well as bake and decorate cakes and cupcakes.


Q What is your favorite book from childhood?


A Harry Potter!


Q If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? A Italy. I love Italian food!


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