Major: Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
“I’m an Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources major at Rutgers and have had the privilege of being a FAME mentor. It is a joy to be able to work with students to get them excited about science in unique ways and to see the efforts and hard work of each student pay off. This program is a truly special opportunity for all involved to deepen their ability to understand and communicate science.”
Major: Filmmaking
“Javy is a filmmaker and recent graduate from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. A first-generation Latino filmmaker passionate about using cinema’s transformative power to inspire compassion, comprehension, and reflection. Through FAME, Javy’s able to exercise this passion–encouraging students to create science based stories that hook audiences with film techniques/l giving the work a gleam of cinematic quality.”
Major: Ecology MS
“Hello, my name is Shaniya. I’m a second-year Ecology master’s student from Indonesia. FAME is interesting to me because I have never seen a program like this before and I wanted to learn how to mentor high school students through this program.”
Major: Biology
Minor: Marine Science
“I’m a senior at Rutgers with a Biology Major and a Marine Science minor, and FAME allows me to utilize the knowledge I am gaining from my classes in a hands on manner.”
Major: Public Health
“In the brief time that I was a FAME mentor, I saw how fulfilling it was to help high schoolers turn their curiosity into creative projects about science. Watching the students gain confidence and scientific understanding throughout the process was inspiring. FAME truly deepened my understanding and appreciation for science communication in that way.”
Major: Public Health
Minor: Psychology
“I am a Public Health major and Psychology minor at Rutgers University. I joined FAME through being invited by Dr. Xenia Morin and it was a thrilling experience, diving into the intertwined world of science and storytelling. Having previously worked with kids, this was a new experience where I was able to help them in creating their short stories, as well as learning some new video editing skills myself. Overall, I had a great experience and would do it again!”
Major: Agriculture and Food Systems
Minor: Plant Science
“Having the power one day to inspire Science curiosity amongst youth is what I wish to do. I wish to become an Ag Educator so one day I get to educate anyone and everyone who is interested in knowing about the world of autotrophs. This program allowed me to envision myself as a future educator, I not only enjoyed my time as a motor but was able to learn and add to my own growth. Learning the art of good story telling comes from understanding the world around you, to understand the world around you one must learn through the scope of Science.”
Major: Plant Biology PhD
“As a Rutgers graduate, a research assistant, and now a graduate student, I have seen Rutgers research from all angles, and have come to realize the importance of science communication for scientists doing this important work. FAME is an incredible way for high school students to get involved with and exposed to Rutgers research, learning skills and information that they would not have learned at school, while making real, lasting impacts in terms of science outreach through trusting relationships with the scientists they work with.”
Major: Philosophy
Minor: Environmental Policy
“I am a junior studying philosophy and environmental policy. Science storytelling is a fantastic learning opportunity for the storytellers and it’s of critical importance to the scientific community. FAME does an incredible job at making this process accessible, fun, and impactful. I hope to support that effort.”
Major: Filmmaking
“I am a Filmmaking major at Mason Gross School of the Arts and an Honors College student. My involvement with FAME came from a passion for sharing knowledge, both in terms of science storytelling and teaching kids how to make documentaries. FAME offers a platform for both young scientists and researchers to inform the masses, and being a part of that process was a privilege.”
Major: Environmental Engineering
“Hello! I am a 3rd year Environmental Engineering major at Rutgers. To me FAME is an amazing place for students not only to learn about new scientific research, but also personally learn how that research is done. Meeting and talking directly to scientists has always been an important part of my science learning, and being able to help others get that same experience is very fulfilling.”
Major: Plant Biology PhD
“I am a second year student in the Rutgers Plant Biology PhD program working on arthropod repellents derived from compounds found in catnip and oregano. As a former high school teacher who knows how important it is for students to understand how the knowledge they gain in school plays out in the wider world, I’ve been exited to participate in FAME.”
Major: Psychology and English
Minor: Creative Writing
“My time in FAME was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to apply my knowledge across all three of these fields. I truly enjoyed getting to know each of the students on a personal level and working with them one-on-one. My favorite part of the FAME project was witnessing the students’ growth throughout the process, from day one to the final presentation of their films.”