Central Wyoming Students team up with UW and the Eastern Shoshone Bison Restoration project for an adventure in data collection

Guest post by CWC Student George Sims

On September 27, students from Central Wyoming College teamed with personnel from the University of Wyoming to conduct microbial research through soil testing in connection with the Eastern Shoshone Bison Restoration Project on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

                The sampling is funded by EPSCoR, the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which fulfills the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide.  The goals of Wyoming EPSCoR are to facilitate the building of research educational infrastructure, to increase the diversity of participants in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—and to administer awards to increase national research competitiveness.  EPSCoR also provides funding at CWC for the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition (ICCE), which conducts cutting-edge research in environmental studies and archaeology on the Dinwoody Glacier, as well as independent research projects by students at the college’s Alpine Science Institute. 

The microbial research project, using cutting-edge techniques including DNA sequencing and computational modeling, will help scientists learn the distribution and ecological consequences of microbes, a valuable approach to understanding the environmental effects of the reintroduction of bison in Fremont County.

            Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter, instructor of American Indian Studies at CWC, coordinated the activity, which began with a meeting of participants at the CWC Intertribal Education and Community Center. Dr. Brad Tyndall, CWC president, welcomed the group and applauded the success of the restoration program, followed by a presentation by Jason Baldes, representing the Eastern Shoshone tribe and the National Wildlife Federation, on the bison reintroduction effort, which aims to restore a herd of wild buffalo to reservation lands.  Historically, bison have had cultural, economic and spiritual significance to the tribe, and today about three dozen animals comprise the local population, on tribal lands east of Riverton.

            The reintroduction of bison will affect the microbial composition of the soil, possibly leading to changes in the plant community on the site, perhaps the re-appearance of once-common indigenous species.  According to University of Wyoming EPSCoR, a $20 million grant from the NSF “will allow us to conduct microbial research at a scale that isn’t taking place anywhere else on the planet. Once we know what organisms are there, including their genetic capacity, we can figure out how we can make use of them”.

            Upon arrival at the site, Baldes supervised a group of middle school students from Arapahoe in an activity designed to teach awareness of the project.  At the same time, CWC students were engaged in actual soil testing at bison wallows throughout the study area, using protocols developed by the University of Wyoming research team, which oversaw the effort.

CWC Student, Cassie Weed, CWC Environmental Science/GIST

           Jacki Klancher, CWC professor of environmental science and health, and director of the Alpine Science Institute, commented, “This project is yet another example of the great partnership CWC enjoys with UW and EPSCoR.  It gives our students another valuable tool to use in their own research efforts, and we may well incorporate the techniques learned today in our ongoing studies of glacial change on Dinwoody Glacier.  In addition to the Interdisciplinary Climate Change Expedition, ASI students have been very active in other independent and collaborative scientific studies that have been supported by EPSCoR, and have presented the results of their research at symposia not only in Wyoming, but throughout the world.”

Small Worlds Exhibit Celebrates Intersections of Science and Art

“I didn’t grow up with gardening, but I’m a nurturer, I see the connections.” Artist Rene Williams walks me through her newly renovated greenhouse discussing her latest Science Loves Art exhibit, small worlds, and inspiration she finds in plants while running the tips of her fingers through dill and basil releasing the herbal oils. Williams is an outreach and education partner with Wyoming EPSCoR’s Track 1 Micro project who uses scientific artifacts and objects found in nature to create art.

Photo by Gregg Kerr

Small Worlds was motivated by a desire to introduce the community to microbes in an approachable way. “Small things can be seen and are appreciated,” explains Williams. By focusing on small things found in nature, the exhibit established a sense of place and wonder among attendees. In addition, attendees were encouraged to see what is unseen through the microscopes. As passersby peered deeper into the looking glass, “people shocked by what they couldn’t see that became visible under the microscope.” Many scientists submitted pieces and several from EPSCoR’s Micro project proudly displayed their work including, Sarah Konrad EPSCoR Deputy Director, Gregg Kerr DNA liquid handling facility lab manager, Linda van Diepen project CoPI and scientist, and Abby Hoffman graduate student in botany. Title of scientist was not a requirement for the exhibit; artists just had to convey their appreciation for the small worlds. When asked what surprised her most about the exhibit’s opening night, Williams enthusiastically recounts how passionate the scientists were about displaying their work, the creative process behind it, and connections to their research.

Mixed Media by Abby Hoffman

Through this exhibit, and Williams’ work in general, art is the communication tool used to describe science. The exhibit is a welcoming way to learn about science, meet scientist, and learn about their work. She explains, “the key to talking about science with the general public is that you don’t have to label everything as science.” The beauty of the natural world connects science and curiosity. “We’re not convincing the public to like science because they already like it. They just don’t like the label.”

Mixed Media by Lynne Boddy

Check out the Fermentation Festival later this summer for another opportunity to get to know microbes in a fun, tasty, and approachable manner!

Science Journalism Interns take to the Airwaves and Newsrooms Across Wyoming

Warm temperatures and long days are a welcome sign of summer in Wyoming. Classrooms and textbooks give way to open ranges, Carhartts, and field notes. Starting this summer, students from the Communication and Journalism department at the University of Wyoming are scattering to newsrooms across the state as part of an internship program in science journalism through Wyoming EPScoR’s Track 1 Micro project. Interns will develop hands-on experience, receive mentoring by seasoned reporters, and build a body of work in science journalism. Mining and tourism buoy Wyoming’s economy. We are a state blessed by a wealth of natural resources, large swaths of federal land, and the nation’s first national park. Wyoming is perfectly positioned to lead science communication initiatives. Associate Professor Kristen Landreville directs the summer science journalism internship program. Below are brief descriptions of the 2019 interns and their associated newsrooms.

• Nolan Behnke works in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle newsroom. Nolan wants to learn more about the different facets of Wyoming journalism and how to produce a strong story. He was an intern with Wyoming Public Radio in spring 2019 and wants to diversify his media background. His goal is to learn how science is researched and reported in the state. 

• Kiley Carrol is interning at her hometown paper, the Sheridan Press. Kiley grew up on a ranch and is keen on expanding the Sheridan Press’s coverage of agriculture and science issues.

• Ivy Engel interns with Wyoming Public Media. She is studying biology with minors in chemistry, journalism, and business. Hoping to go into science communication upon graduation, she is excited to get a taste of the world of broadcast journalism and to share her love of science.

• Tristan Kutzer is working in the Casper Star-Tribune newsroom. During the school year, he writes for the University of Wyoming student newspaper, the Branding Iron. He is excited about the strong mentorship experience that the Casper Star-Tribune can provide him as he develops an interest in news writing, photojournalism, and videography. 

• Mary Rucinski is an intern at the Laramie Boomerang. Mary is an aspiring journalist who, in addition to covering science topics with this internship, is eager to cover local government and public affairs.

• Sarah Teter is a graduate student interning with the UW Haub School developing research briefs for public consumption and developing stories for Western Confluence, a publication of the Ruckelshaus Institute. Sara comes to this internship with several years of journalism experience, including her work at Laramie Live.

• Jeff Victor is a graduate student interning as a science reporter with Wyoming Public Radio. In a former life as a Laramie Boomerang reporter, he was awarded six Pacemakers for his coverage of the university and Laramie culture.

These interns represent Wyoming EPSCoR’s Micro project and bring that voice to communities across the state. This project and partnership with the Wyoming Press Association will build bridges into new communities in unique and positive ways.