I am extremely passionate about communicating with public audiences to emphasize the importance of scientific research and conserving natural resources. I have provided examples of my involvement in scientific communication and public outreach below.
Lake States Fire Science Consortium webinar series - I presented preliminary findings from the Moquah Barrens soil heating study, along with Dr. Brian Sturtevant (USDA-FS NRS Rhinelander) and Dr. Matt Dickinson (USDA-FS NRS Delaware). Our webinar presentation, "Pine woodland and barren restoration: What is possible with late dormant season burns?" is archived HERE.
Skype a Scientist - I joined 3 classrooms of 5th grade students in Saint Martinville, Louisiana via Skype to answer questions about why plants are so cool and about my career as a scientist.
MSU Science Festival - In 2019, I gave a free public seminar during the Science Festival's expo days, "Human-wildfire interactions past, present, and future: A hot topic" along with my colleague Dr. Nate Emery.
In 2018, I hosted a demo booth at the expo days with Ph.D. student Jaron Adkins, "Unseen organisms: A glimpse into how scientists measure the breath of life". Check out the cool infographic poster that I designed on microbial respiration, HERE.
National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP) field tours - NASP is a National training program for federal employees to become certified silviculturists. During their "Ecological Systems" module field tour, I hosted a group of ~40 graduate-level students in the Moquah Barrens to discuss how and why land managers are using prescribed fire to restore jack pine barrens.
Graduate Women in Science Math and Science Days - I spoke to middle school aged girls about careers in wildland fire, and we completed hands-on activities to investigate how fire affects soil properties. We also discussed the importance of wildfire as a natural disturbance. This activity was completed with the assistance of undergraduate researcher Rebecca Wildt.
Science on Tap (Ashland, WI) - I gave a 1 hour public presentation on how scientists use prescribed fire for habitat restoration, focusing on the nearby Moquah Barrens. This audience was extremely engaged, and we had an excellent Q&A session following the presentation.
Biology on Tap (Lansing, MI) - I presented a 30 minute public talk on "How grass became glass", a public-friendly interpretation of my dissertation research on how and why plants accumulate silicon in their leaves.
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center - I hosted an all-day, hands-on science demo open to all visitors of the center. I was able to speak with local and international guests, ranging from 5 to 80 years old. Guests were able to learn about and operate a portable infrared gas analyzer, which I use in my research to measure soil greenhouse gas emissions.
If you are interested in talking about an outreach event or public lecture opportunity, please contact me at:
kathlquigl -at- gmail -dot- com.
Lake States Fire Science Consortium webinar series - I presented preliminary findings from the Moquah Barrens soil heating study, along with Dr. Brian Sturtevant (USDA-FS NRS Rhinelander) and Dr. Matt Dickinson (USDA-FS NRS Delaware). Our webinar presentation, "Pine woodland and barren restoration: What is possible with late dormant season burns?" is archived HERE.
Skype a Scientist - I joined 3 classrooms of 5th grade students in Saint Martinville, Louisiana via Skype to answer questions about why plants are so cool and about my career as a scientist.
MSU Science Festival - In 2019, I gave a free public seminar during the Science Festival's expo days, "Human-wildfire interactions past, present, and future: A hot topic" along with my colleague Dr. Nate Emery.
In 2018, I hosted a demo booth at the expo days with Ph.D. student Jaron Adkins, "Unseen organisms: A glimpse into how scientists measure the breath of life". Check out the cool infographic poster that I designed on microbial respiration, HERE.
National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP) field tours - NASP is a National training program for federal employees to become certified silviculturists. During their "Ecological Systems" module field tour, I hosted a group of ~40 graduate-level students in the Moquah Barrens to discuss how and why land managers are using prescribed fire to restore jack pine barrens.
Graduate Women in Science Math and Science Days - I spoke to middle school aged girls about careers in wildland fire, and we completed hands-on activities to investigate how fire affects soil properties. We also discussed the importance of wildfire as a natural disturbance. This activity was completed with the assistance of undergraduate researcher Rebecca Wildt.
Science on Tap (Ashland, WI) - I gave a 1 hour public presentation on how scientists use prescribed fire for habitat restoration, focusing on the nearby Moquah Barrens. This audience was extremely engaged, and we had an excellent Q&A session following the presentation.
Biology on Tap (Lansing, MI) - I presented a 30 minute public talk on "How grass became glass", a public-friendly interpretation of my dissertation research on how and why plants accumulate silicon in their leaves.
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center - I hosted an all-day, hands-on science demo open to all visitors of the center. I was able to speak with local and international guests, ranging from 5 to 80 years old. Guests were able to learn about and operate a portable infrared gas analyzer, which I use in my research to measure soil greenhouse gas emissions.
If you are interested in talking about an outreach event or public lecture opportunity, please contact me at:
kathlquigl -at- gmail -dot- com.