Counter Culture Labs is a community-centered biotech makerspace that provides local engagement through innovative projects in mycology, genomics, fermentation, and more. Learn more about the lab and how they have been able to get the public excited about science.
Read about the impact of the work done by Professor Denise Chavira’s research group, the Culture and Anxiety Lab for Mental Health Advances (CALMA) at UCLA. The group targets the extra hurdles ethnic minorities in rural communities of the U.S. have to manage around stigma, knowledge, and access to mental health services. Chavira's group is dedicated to improving mental health services in chronically underserved communities by working and building trust in Imperial Valley, California.
One Health Institute (OHI) has played a role in connecting scientists and policymakers in crafting local, science-driven solutions for urban development. OHI has expanded in purpose and scope to serve as that platform for communication and develop brand applications and websites so diverse groups can develop projects together. ESAL had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Susan VandeWoude, director at OHI to learn more about their initiatives.
ESAL interviewed George, a geological oceanographer and a freelance science journalist, about how he found synergy between writing and science in his dualistic career path. George has worked on ocean science and policy issues throughout the west coast, including for the State of California and the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
ESAL speaks to a former and current members of Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) to learn about how they supports and connect local natural resource managers, researchers, cultural practitioners, policy professionals, community leaders, and graduate students on the Island of Hawaiʻi Island to build adaptive capacity.
This is the second in a series of three articles to help you understand and interpret local budgets. ESAL sits down with Open Budget Oakland’s Felicia Betancourt and Jess Sand to discuss their efforts towards making municipal budgets accessible. Read about how Open Budget Oakland advances local government engagement by combining community and coding.
HPREP or the Health Professional Recruitment and Exposure Program provides a platform to encourage students to pursue careers in science. Executive director Harim Won discusses the program's aim to eliminate educational disparities and increase representation of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in related professions.
On July 15th, 2021, ESAL had a panel of STEM educational experts, including the executive director of the SciTech Institute, a leader of CodeSciLab, a global nonprofit director of STEM education, and a Philadelphia STEM educator that fight for STEM education access throughout the U.S. Each panelist brought forth a unique perspective on how local funding, policies, and environmental factors impact students’ educational experiences.
The SciTech Institute is using its powers to enable students astute in STEM to take up leadership roles and impact communities within the state of Arizona. Since its launch, the institute's Chief Science Officer program has extended its reach to ten states and four countries outside the U.S. Learn more about the inspiration for creating SciTech and what is in store for the future.
