“Discovering microscopic worlds on board a bus isn’t something that most people can say they’ve done in their lives. However, junior scientist Jaylene Muñoz — and countless other New York City K-12 students — have done just that, thanks to BioBus, a growing fleet of mobile science labs that reach students who may not otherwise have access to meaningful science engagement. Fitted with state-of-the-art microscopes and other equipment, BioBus helps these students realize their full science potential.” Read more.
Monthly Archives: November 2021
Temboo Stories of Community Engagement Featuring Community Scientist Ashley Pirovano
Jessica Califano from BioBus partner Temboo interviewed Ashley Pirovano:
“If you’re lucky, at some point in during your time in school you encountered a teacher that ignited a spark in you. A teacher who made a subject that you may never have been very interested in, somehow extraordinarily fascinating. Maybe even one who helped you rethink what was possible for your future, and altered the course of your life completely.
Ashley Priovano is one of those educators. As a Community Scientist at BioBus, her role is to spark an interest in science in students of all ages every day.
As part of our ongoing Stories of Community Engagement Interview Series, I spoke with Ashley about her journey from ballerina to scientist, how her work opens the eyes of students to the wonders of science, and what she hopes to see for the future.“
Read the interview on the Temboo Blog. Ashley shares the history of BioBus and tells the story Dr. George Washington Carver who created the original mobile lab, talks about our Junior Scientists and the DIY microscope, shares and tells us how she got into science after thinking she would be a dancer.
Students Published! NYC Virus Hunters Pre-Print Publication
The first publication from our BioBus New York City Virus Hunters community science program is out! Our research team composed of high school students, veterinarians, seasoned virologists and bird rehabilitators discovered interesting viruses in NYC pigeons! Read the publication to learn about their research.
Read more about the NYC Virus Hunters in the NYTimes article and new video.
Molecular Ideas: Driving STEM Education with BioBus
Jack Fischer from Molecular Ideas spoke to Community Scientist Francesca Anselmi and wrote about BioBus:
Welcome to Molecular Ideas and thank you for sharing your time with us. We’re back today with a Startup Showcase for an organization dedicated to empowering students, parents, and communities with scientific literacy through hands-on engagement.
“There’s this crazy group of scientists in New York City who teach kids on a bus.”
That was how both I and Dr. Francesca Anselmi, Ph.D. heard about BioBus. Yet, such a simple statement could never hope to encompass this organization’s unique method for teaching science and instilling a passion for it in dozens of communities. Francesca is BioBus’ Chief Scientist, who I had the pleasure of sitting down with to discuss the organization’s unique positioning and scalable model for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.
Visit Molecular Ideas to read more. Jack shares the numbers that highlight the lack of representation in STEM fields and Francesca tells the story of two BioBus students and discusses some of our diversity, equity, and inclusion work.