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Science comics have become an increasingly popular medium for science communication. Reputable institutions and publications such as the WHO, NASA, Nature Journal and MacMillan Publishers have published science comics to explain complex scientific and medical phenomena to the public. However, science comics that center the stories of underrepresented scientists and the ways in which their intersectional identities are transforming science have yet to be created. Concerningly, people of color, women, and LGBTQIA+ identifying continue to be underrepresented in STEMM. Studies have shown students who report feeling positive STEMM identity and ability in high school declared undergraduate STEMM majors at greater proportions. Therefore, identifying ways to foster a sense of belonging and personal interest in STEMM among secondary school students is crucial. Utilizing art and narrative storytelling, The Field Scientist challenges perceptions of what science looks like and who does science to make science more accessible, exciting and inclusive for underrepresented secondary school students.. The series follows the real biographical narratives of a diverse cohort of scientists as they recount their most memorable field experiences. The Field Scientist will be available digitally via the platform issuu.com and disseminated to secondary school students. Online surveys will be utilized to elicit audience response, assess feelings of belonging and determine the effectiveness of science comics in challenging perceptions of exclusionary scientific culture and community. Ultimately, The Field Scientist aspires to encourage adolescent audiences to view themselves as scientists and contemplate how their identities can further transform the shifting landscape of science. 

Scientific collections hold value in a wide range of fields, from conservation to species-restoration. However, many are unaware of collections’ direct contributions to scientific discovery. Collections are a key source of data, but may not be emphasized to emerging scientists as such. While institutions make collections more accessible, preserved specimens may be misunderstood as nothing more than static, dead creatures in cabinets. To combat this, I created a StoryMap on the history of specimen collections and how they have changed, with case-studies and interviews from the California Academy of Sciences that illuminate collections’ roles in modern conservation. StoryMaps are interactive multimedia pieces that present information in novel, highly engaging ways. This more-accessible medium allows for an easily digestible story encompassing 100 years of specimen-collection. Participants between the ages of 18-25 will answer questions before and after reading the StoryMap to gauge how perceptions of the value of scientific collections have changed. Ultimately, this project endeavors to leave young adults with a deeper appreciation for specimen collections and thus contribute to them centering specimens in future decision-making. Young adults are a key generation that is shaping the future of science. Thus, comprehending the value of specimen collections is paramount to ensuring collections are adequately supported in the future, and that research in species conservation continues. As technology rapidly advances, the value of specimen collections grows, and supporting their stewardship ensures access to historical data as new research questions emerge.