Education & Outreach
Community Roots
The Masson lab collaborated with local artist Angela Johnson to develop a science/art outreach program to teach the lab’s findings on root development. Through observation and bookmaking, all ages are encouraged to consider how roots navigate to find their path, how leaves reach the sun, and how plants play a part in the ecosystem.
Root Growth Flip Book
Learn how to make your own flip book to illustrate the growth of roots over time! 500 art kits with supplies and directions will be distributed by community partners throughout the state of Wisconsin. This will include an additional tree-themed story time program with Pinney Branch, Central, and Sequoia Public Libraries. Further community partnerships are in the works, stay tuned!
You may also download the instructions here.
click on the images above to see some examples!
Root Growth Book Lesson Plans
Lesson plans tailored for different school age groups are further resources for teachers to bring root growth and book-making into their classrooms.
Still Growing
Angela’s partnership with the Genetics Department also includes a forthcoming permanent art piece for the genetics building, inspired by investigations of root growth through embroidery, light and photography.
UW Madison NSF Grant # 1951182-IOS
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Link To:
—Safety Solution Warning/Hazard Stickers
–Materials for Educators
Masson Lab Outreach Program Participation:
The Masson lab promotes the Wisconsin Idea: the idea that the borders of the university are the borders of the state. We are actively involved in education and outreach programs at the undergraduate and high school levels.
The Masson lab promotes the involvement of undergraduate students in science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in several ways. Many undergraduates have pursued guided independent research projects in the Masson lab and gone on to obtain graduate degrees. They have received numerous Hilldale Fellowships and Arabidopsis Training Grant Undergraduate Research Fellowships. Members of the Masson lab have also mentored high school students through the Summer Science Institute during the summer of 2008, 2009, 2011, &2012. In the summer of 2009, Allison Strohm worked with students from Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, James and Margaret. They studied how the arl2-3 gravitropic mutant responds to water gradients in the environment.
In the summer of 2008, Kate Baldwin mentored two students from Ashland and Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, Kellie and Richard. They studied auxin distribution in the sec62 mutant after gravistimulation
Above: (From left to right) Kellie, Kate and Richard
In the summer of 2012, Richard Barker mentored two students from Wisconsin. Together they investigated the potential use of robotically automated time-lapse photography hardware and new high throughput experimental software prototypes to analyze the physiological responses of root growth to environmental stimuli.
Above: Katie, Jesus and Richard Barker
We also use our knowledge and resources to assist with high school curriculum development across the state. In the summers of 2008 and 2009, Kate Baldwin worked with Becky Nutt, a teacher at the Oneida Nation High School who came to the Masson lab through the Wisconsin Teacher Enhancement Program. During her time in the lab, Becky developed K-12 instructional materials to use in her science classes.
