The Future of Science
For the second year in a row I’ve had the good fortune of spending a day with young scientists at Biosphere 2. The dozen scientists (and one creative writing student) are part of the University of Arizona’s Carson Scholars Program, and my involvement is through the UA’s Institute of the Environment. The Carson Scholars Program is a wonderful multidisciplinary opportunity for these master’s and doctoral students, as it helps them learn how to communicate their often very technical work to a general audience.
That’s where I come in. For the last two years, I’ve worked with the students — and English professor Christopher Cokinos — to craft essays for Terrain.org’s A Life of Science series. A couple weeks back, I met with them to workshop their first drafts, which I’ll continue to work with them on until we publish the short pieces in Terrain.org over the next year and more.
Even in these days of a rapidly changing environment, and a presidential administration that ignores science and the need for clean air and water, I have hope. And that hope may be best represented by these energetic, determined, amazing students.