The program database matches scientist information with teachers’ lesson plans, Meierhofer said. She chose primarily to connect with students from kindergarten through 12th grade and gave her expertise as “biology, mammals and mammalian diseases.” Meierhofer said she submitted a short professional profile to the program website and provided information relating to her particular area of scientific expertise, plus the grade or age level she preferred to reach. “The program provides students and others the opportunity to get to know a real scientist and lets scientists reach audiences throughout the country without having to leave their lab or office.” “I found out about the Skype a Scientist program through Twitter,” she said. This past semester, she signed up to participate in the volunteer Skype a Scientist program as a way to share her knowledge of bats and other mammals with students throughout the U.S. student in the wildlife and fisheries department of Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Meierhofer, who is affiliated with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, is also a Ph.D.

These were some of the questions Melissa Meierhofer, research associate with Texas A&M AgriLife Research based in College Station, was asked recently by a third-grade class at Wells Elementary School in Wells, Nevada, during her first Skype a Scientist experience. What are bat wings made of? How are bats different from birds? What is the oldest bat in the world?

Skype a scientist program