Fall classes start on Thursday, so it’s time for another pre-semester Lego build. This time I’m capturing a memory from our epic European summer vacation by building the Trevi Fountain.

UnEssay day (1 of 2) for Molecular Cell Biology today was a big hit! #UnEssay

What’s more fun than a case study in intro bio class? A case study adapted into a play, complete with costumes, props, sets, and audience participation!

My spring semester Lego build took longer than usual (probably due to my accidental overload + saying yes to too many things). Now that it’s spring break, I finally finished. Cue the Fantasmic soundtrack!

2 big Ws today from our favorite teams @wolvesfc.bsky.social and @fcdallas.bsky.social Let’s go!!

US plant science peeps: this is a *very* informative summary of the current state of plant science funding, and a call for your stories to help @aspbofficial.bsky.social make their case with public officials. Please re-skeet! 🧪 #PlantScience blog.aspb.org/research-imp...

ASPB "remains committed to robustly supporting and strongly advocating for diversity and inclusion in the plant sciences, period." Read full statement 👉 https://blog.aspb.org/aspb-reaffirms-its-commitment-to-diversity-and-inclusion/.

🚨The 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) application close today, February 7!🌿 👉Learn more and apply now! surf.aspb.org #PlantScience

Do you have ideas for creative ways to teach plant bio concepts to K12 and undergrad students? If so, ASPB would love to pay you to develop these strategies & share with the community. Ask me if you have ?s and see more info below!

Science solidarity. This alleged cut would end NSF. NIH would be next. University presidents: where is your courage to speak out?

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📣 #PlantBio2025 Plenary: Molecular Exchange Between Plants and Their Interacting Microbes.🌱 Learn more and register now! 👀 https://plantbiology.aspb.org/plenary-symposia/ 👉 Early Bird rates end March 19! Hurry and register soon for the best savings. #PlantScience

Winter hikes

I am ***absurdly*** excited to announce the launch of a new funding opportunity through Experiment dot com!!! You have one month to pitch something wonderful in the realm of plant biology/biotech research and education. $10,000 max grant. PLEASE RE-POST + SHARE!!! 1/3 experiment.com/programs/pla...

Good morning from Pandora!

Had a great time repping @aspbofficial.bsky.social at @nabtbio.bsky.social #nabt2024

I just realized that all 3 of these incredible sightings happened this year, and we still have 3 months left! #eclipse #aurora #milkyway

Hey friends - can anyone get me a PDF of this article for a student? Our institution does not have access. Thanks! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Come work with a fun bunch of biologists! Please share!

White House, here we come! I cannot wait to spend Monday with my incredible @aspbofficial.bsky.social colleagues and my 6 dedicated #UniversityofLynchburg plant bio students who are all ready to teach & inspire every family that stops by our booth. buff.ly/3vCSkfS

Students are building plant models and then rewriting the “did you know?” thought bubbles in the instructions to *actually be about plants*. I love the little factoids that they came up with! Now to share them with Lego…

It’s plant experiment time in intro bio. Can’t wait to see the hypotheses that they come up with to explain these mutant phenotypes!

We had great fun with Biology faculty and students today: hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and nerdy science valentines!

Family Valentine’s Day building project

ASPB wants to share and fund your plant curriculum materials! Receive up to $8500 to create and disseminate classroom activities & labs that support teaching the Principles for Teaching #plantscience. Learn more and apply by 4/8: bloome.aspb.org

The spring semester Lego build is underway! #nasa #apollo

Soccer sunset

So excited to finally have some solid photos of primary succession for my EcoEvo students

First day of Thanksgiving break, so we went out tick dragging at a location that is a bit too sketchy to take students. Totally normal, right?!

The wind turned, and we caught the majority of the Matt’s Creek wildfire smoke today. So much for the outdoor walk… 7,500 acres burned so far :(

Do any of my science friends have access to this article and can send me a pdf? It’s tick surveillance time in intro bio! academic.oup.com/jme/article-...

Plant biologists, come join our department! Open rank tenure-track position starting fall 2024. www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.p...

Had a great time at #NABT2023 with #ASPB teaching other teachers how to integrate more plant biology into their classrooms.

Happy Halloween from Sally Skellington and Science Barbie! Dressing up for classes on Halloween is our favorite!

How difficult can science really be? www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2023/1...

Homecoming! So fun catching up with alums (and hanging out with colleagues & the kiddos).

When the epipens are too old to use as backups, you have the family practice on oranges. #allergymom

11 yo is building a cell model and elected to build a plant cell 🌱That’s my boy!

No eclipse viewing for us today 😢

Covid boosted and flu vaccinated… my arm is definitely feeling it. But yay for vaccines!

It’s a lovely evening for a walk while the 11yo plays soccer

Back in the field this week, this time studying reproductive allocation in Verbesina occidentalis. Samples are coming back to the lab with us to count and weigh flowers and vegetative structures.

Third lab of the week. Same trail, new view.

Another hot day in the field, but it’s so worth it to see the students engaging in nature!

It’s observation week in lab, which means I get to spend a lot of time in the woods with students. It’s 95°F here, but it still beats the classroom!

Finally starting my annual pre-semester Lego build just in time for the second day of classes. Better late than never!