When people think of science, they might picture white lab coats and periodic tables. To those not within the lab world, new studies often go unnoticed.
Science After Hours, a program hosted by volunteers at the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, connects the community with research from scientists and organizations in the region. This includes research from the University of Idaho and Washington State University.
“Science After Hours is an educational opportunity for the community and also for university students and faculty to share their research and in an informal kind of fun setting,” said UI graduate student and program coordinator Katie Peterson. “The purpose in my mind is to be able to connect the Moscow and Pullman and Palouse community with kind of the university community, and also bring in the businesses.”
Peterson said they utilize a variety of venues. She said this year, they held events at Bookpeople of Moscow, Lodgepole, White Pine, Humble Burger, Camas Prairie and One World Cafe. She said she thinks it is good to give graduate students opportunities to present their research.
“It’s kind of a three-part thing, I’m hoping to get the general public, even high school students come to this event,” Peterson said, “I’m hoping it’s a chance for university students to also get kind of involved downtown and maybe visit places that they’ve never been.”
She said nearly all the presenters are graduate students or faculty and she encourages more undergraduates to sign up and present their research. She said WSU is also underrepresented.
“About 70 percent of our speakers have come from the U of I and only about 20 percent from WSU,” Peterson said.
She said in the past year, 24 speakers presented and the average turn-out is about 25 people.
Sarah Hendricks, a third year Ph.D. candidate at UI, said she thinks the events raise awareness about the research done on the Palouse and in surrounding areas.
“I think the scientists have done a really great job of making their research accessible to the public,” she said.
Hendricks spoke to the public about her research on cancer in carnivores, specifically in Tasmanian devils and in the Catalina Island fox at one of the events.
Peterson said other topics include water, plant diversity and evolution and the science and art of wine.
Because the goal is to provide a platform for students to share their research, the program is organized around the academic year, beginning in September and ending in May, Peterson said.
“It happens every first Thursday so it coincides with Moscow first Thursday events happening downtown,” she said.
She said the next event will take place Feb. 2 and will consist of the research conducted by a UI lab.
Nina Rydalch can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NinaRobin7