Society for Wetland Scientists Undergrad Mentoring Program application deadline November 16

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) wants YOU to attend its annual conference. Hats off SWS. It's one of themost active and vocal professional societies that work to promote diversity and inclusion of students, especially undergraduates in the scientific experience. The SWS Diversity Program was created to increase diversity in the Society and the field of wetland science. The annual meeting offers students valuable career mentoring and exposure to career options. Undergraduate students from underrepresented groups are invited to apply for Undergraduate Mentoring Awards. Recipients will receive full travel benefits and opportunities for career mentoring at the SWS annual meeting June 2-6, 2013, in Duluth, Minnesota.

All eligible college students should seriously consider applying. Are you a biology major? zoology, botany or microbiology major? ecology, environmental education or environmental studies major? or perhaps you are an agriculture major, soils or geology/geography major? Any and all of these fields of study can be applied to the field of wetland science.

I highly recommended students to get involved in the entire scientific process. Going to class and making good grades are only the start. Getting your hands dirty (literally) doing research -- working alongside of a graduate student, post doc or professor - is how you really LEARN science. Science is verb. You gotta DO it! Nothing summarizes the lived experience of science better than attending a professional science conference. There you will hear about all of the great discoveries that are being made, RIGHT now. It's like getting a scoop on all of those things that eventually end up in text books. And you will see and meet those researchers. It is so exciting. Going to meetings is the best. So, do it. Apply for this program.


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Visit the website for more information about the society and the meeting.

It is a competitive process, but recipients join a very special club of scholars. Those who receive this award go on to some pretty great graduate programs. It is so worth it to apply. See list of past Awardees.

I can send you an application, if you email me. Or directly to the source if you have any questions.

Dr. Frank P. Day

Department of Biological Sciences

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA 23529

fday@odu.edu

The deadline is Friday, November 16, 2012. You have one week. But you can do it. Help me spread the word far and wide.

Thank you!

DNLee is a biologist and she studies animal behavior, mammalogy, and ecology . She uses social media, informal experiential science experiences, and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups.

More by DNLee

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe