From 1 until 3 p.m. this afternoon, you can chat with researchers, including COSAM’s Jordan Harshman, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, on Reddit for a Science “Ask Me Anything” session. The Reddit event is in response to a recently published paper that Harshman co-authored in the journal Science that demonstrates a large majority of undergraduate STEM courses in the U.S. remain lecture-focused, despite ample evidence that interactive, student-centered classroom environments result in better learning outcomes. The study, which featured more than 2,000 classes taught by upwards of 500 STEM faculty across 25 institutions, was also highlighted in the journal Inside Higher Ed. To participate in the Reddit discussion, go to www.reddit.com/r/science and search for “Teaching practices in university STEM classes.” You will need to create a Reddit account to participate; it is free to do so.   

Getting Under the Surface, or GUTS, is a science program for first- through sixth-grade children and their parents or grandparents, sponsored by the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Each GUTS session includes snacks, followed by a 90-minute, hands-on science activity involving a “Getting Under the Surface” theme. The spring GUTS program takes place on Thursday, April 26, from 6 to 8:00 p.m., and registration is now open with a few slots remaining. Course offerings for first- through third-grade students are “Jungle Jinx” and “The Great Escape,” while the fourth- through sixth-grade courses are “Microbe Mix-up” and “Mythbreakers.” GUTS provides children an opportunity to learn new scientific concepts in a fun, family-friendly activity. The cost to participate is $10 per parent/child pair. To register, complete a registration form on the GUTS website. For more information, contact Josh King via email at josh.king@auburn.edu.

Associate Professor Paul Cobine discovered how copper crosses the mitochondrial membrane, which could have life-saving implications for those with diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and even some forms of Lou Gehrig's disease.

On Friday, April 13, the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, along with the City of Auburn, will present a double-feature movie night honoring COSAM alum Dr. George Hardy '77. The event will begin with an introduction by Dr. Hardy, followed by a screening of "Best Worst Movie," a question and answer session, and a screening of Troll 2, which has gained cult status in the last several years.

When not working at his dentistry practice in Alexander City, Alabama, Dr. Hardy travels the country to conferences and conventions to discuss his experiences working on the movie "Troll 2." Additionally, he just completed work on another film project in a leading role. This event will be free and open to the public.

For the first time in Auburn history, Department of Geosciences graduate students placed highly at the prestigious annual competition of the Imperial Barrel Award, or IBA, in Houston, Texas. Eleven schools from the Gulf Coast region competed, including six “oil-patch schools” from Texas. Auburn University received third-place, beating all of the Texas teams and, notably, unseating last year’s champion the University of Houston. Team members are Geosciences graduate students Shifat Monami, Collin Sutton, Jacob Thompson, and Benjamin Weinmann.

COSAM will host The AU Science Café on Tuesday, April 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Jule Collins Smith Museum. The AU Science Café provides an opportunity for the community to discuss scientific topics with an Auburn University scientist. During the April café, Sarah Zohdy, assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, will give a presentation titled, “Biology? There’s an App for That…How Smartphones and Tech are Revolutionizing our View of the Animal World.” The event will include an overview of biological observation in the old days of Audubon’s paper and pencil to the current world of smartphones, drones and digital. After the presentation, participants can enjoy the museum’s newest installation, “Audubon’s Last Wilderness Journey: The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.” The Science Café is open to all ages, there is no cost to attend, and no scientific background is required to participate. For more information, contact Josh King by email at josh.king@auburn.edu.