Over 100 high school students from across North Carolina gathered on Feb. 28 at NC State University for the annual Plant Sciences Outreach Day, an event organized by the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative to cultivate young people’s interest and exploration into the interdisciplinary field of plant science.
“We are so lucky to have you here,” said Daniela Jones, director for the N.C. PSI’s Education and Workforce Development Platform and assistant professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. “Agriculture is very important for feeding our world and our growing population, and having you guys here to share with you a little about plants and the plant sciences is a tremendous honor.”
The day-long program gave students a firsthand look at the world of plant science, research and plant-related products. It was a partnership of the N.C. PSI and several NC State-affiliated high school outreach programs: Juntos, North Carolina 4-H, the North Carolina Math/Science Education Network (MSEN) Pre-College Program, TRIO and Advise NC at NC State.
A Chance to Explore Entomology, Food Science, Engineering — and More
Participants rotated through interactive lab sessions led by NC State faculty, NC State Extension specialists and graduate students that focused on a variety of topics, including food science, propagation, entomology and plant pathology, engineering and cosmetics, among others.
Students also toured the JC Raulston Arboretum, the Gregg Museum of Art and Design and the Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery.
In the Cosmetics Lab, Liz Driscoll, an Extension 4-H specialist, discussed how many of the pigments and products in the cosmetics industry are derived from or inspired by plants, such as cocoa, hibiscus, and lavender, before students partnered to make lip balm and lotion using natural and plant-based ingredients.
The activity gave Shayla Rose Namishia, a student with Updward Bound TRIO from Franklin County, an opportunity to broaden her horizons as she thinks about her future after high school.
“I’m thinking I want to do engineering, but I’m trying different types of science to figure out what kind of engineering I want to do,” Namishia said.
‘This is really cool!’
The event also offered many students an introduction to potential careers and academic paths to achieve them.
In the Entomology and Plant Pathology Lab, Matt Bertone, director of Extension’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic and a faculty member in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, and Swarnalatha Moparthi, a research specialist with the clinic, talked about their work investigating plant pests and diseases.
Students looked at a variety of insect specimens under microscopes, handled plant samples and examined petri dishes of bioluminescent bacteria.
I’m trying to figure out what career paths I could do that involve entomology.
Layla Lowery, from Granville County, listened intently before asking Bertone questions about how he got into entomology. It’s a field she hopes to work in one day.
“I’ve always had a love of bugs since I was little,” Lowery said. “I’m reconnecting with that now, and I want to be an entomologist, so I’m trying to figure out what career paths I could do that involve entomology.”
The experience for Christopher Conklin, from Wake County, opened his eyes to the broad range of research involved in plant science.
“I think it’s really cool they can discover new species, and there’s all this opportunity for discovery,” said Conklin, who participates in the MSEN program.
Although he’s still deciding on his interests for a future profession, he added: “This is really cool!”