Travis Seamons Collaborates with the Tracy Aviary and Fourth Street Clinic for Youth Outreach
How could I share science in a way that would connect with the youth? This was a question
that occupied my thoughts as I prepared a science activity for Tracy Aviary’s summer
camps with youth from the Midvale family shelter. I knew not everyone would want to
be a scientist, but I wanted everyone to know it’s an option.
When I discovered the field of synthetic biology and a lab to work in my first year of college, I thought I was the luckiest person alive. I couldn’t believe that I could participate in building new knowledge. Research anchored me through the tumultuous years of young adulthood and helped me have a purpose as I discovered myself. It gave me a place to find wonder and hope and excitement.
My time volunteering at Salt Lake City’s Fourth Street Clinic taught me that simply knowing about an opportunity can be enough to change someone’s life. I set out to find a way to connect science with people experiencing homelessness. The STEM Ambassadors Program was the perfect opportunity to do this.
When I contacted Tracy Aviary in early January of 2023, they were ecstatic at the good timing! They were planning their outreach summer camps and wanted to integrate more STEM into their activities. I visited Marissa and Kylie at the Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai where they showed me the area, including gardens, a bike path, and plans for future renovations. We met in the clubhouse to discuss summer camp plans. With aligned interests, the conversation felt easy.
A few weeks later, I visited the Nature Center for one of their weekly Coffee and STEM events that invites folks from the nearby shelter to enjoy nature together. I joined the group of people bundled up in jackets and hats by the clubhouse. We watched a few birds hop around the bird feeders and chatted in the brisk morning light. As a newcomer, people asked about my background and job as a researcher. I also learned about others’ experiences and backgrounds. It was invigorating to meet new people. Nothing felt forced, and there was mutual interest in hearing each other’s stories. For that morning, on the porch of the Nature Center at Pia Okwai, the world was small and inviting. The welcoming warmth of the guests, Marissa, Kylie, and the other staff left me feeling confident we would put together a meaningful event for the summer camp.
As summer approached, I brainstormed ideas for hands-on science activities. I wanted activities that would be flexible and engaging. After sharing with Marissa and Kylie, they chose their favorites from the list. We soon set to work amassing supplies and pinning down logistics. I prepared foldable microscopes called Foldscopes and practiced extracting DNA from strawberries. Meanwhile, Marissa and Kylie coordinated rides and other activities.
On the day of the camp, I was nervous but excited. I waited in the clubhouse and prepared the materials. Soon the campers arrived in a mixture of excited voices and reserved faces. After a short introduction, we dug into the science. Soon, strawberries were mashing and DNA was extracting as I shared facts about DNA and its applications. Some kids were deeply invested in the science, others were more interested in watching the DNA clump together into stringy strands. We put the DNA into plastic vials for those who wanted to keep it and cleaned up.
The second session with the Foldscopes was a similar experience. We prepared onion skins to look at plant cells and passed around premade slides of various plant and animal tissues. The anticipation of seeing cells through a microscope morphed into wonder for some and disinterest for others. I wished I had saved some DNA extraction kits for those who weren’t into microscopy, but a part of me recognized the value in experiencing disappointment in science. Sometimes reality is less exciting than imagination, and that’s okay. Science doesn’t need to be a flashy gem reserved for pedestals of science fiction and privileged prestige. Instead, I hope for a world where science is accessible and normal, available to anyone who wants to explore it.
My goal was never to convert anyone to my love for science, but rather give them an opportunity to experience it. For a time, I thought my only career options were being a doctor, farmer, dentist, or engineer. When I learned scientists were real, not just fictitious TV characters, I found new motivation that helped me find a career I love. I don’t know if extracting DNA from strawberries or looking at cells through foldable microscopes changed anyone’s life that day at the Nature Center, but I do know we enjoyed smiles, meeting new friends, and building community. I will always be grateful to Marissa and Kylie for welcoming me into their community and supporting STEM at their summer camps. My life is richer because of this outreach experience, and I look forward to building more in the future. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll see some of the youth from camp in the lab.
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