Calling all Explorer Cubs!
Ready for an out-of-this-world experience? Soil scientist, educator, and STEM advocate Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez will lead Explorer Cubs into environmental microbiology in a hands-on session to ignite curiosity and expand Cubs’ understanding of the world around us.
For this session, Cubs are encouraged to bring a small sealable (ex. Ziploc) bag of soil from a space near them (backyards, nearby parks, & more). We’ll use Foldscopes to examine the soil and explore the world we live in. Learn more about Aidyl by visiting her website.
- When: Saturday September 14th, 10am-11:30am
- Who: Young explorers ages 7-11 years old
- Where: The Explorers Club
- Cost: Free!
Please reserve one space per student. Adults are encouraged to stay but should not register.
Through fun and interactive sessions with field explorers, the Explorer Cubs Program aims to foster future citizens of the planet and strengthen the relationships between Explorers Club members, the community, and the next generation of change makers.
Save the date for and be on the lookout for more information about future sessions!
- October 5
- December 14
Photo by Mara Leite
Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez
Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio is an unconventional scientist, educator, and analog astronaut dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science and promoting STEM education, research accessibility, and social and environmental justice. Armed with a Doctorate in Molecular Genetics from the prestigious California Institute of Technology, her academic journey was propelled by pivotal postdoctoral research on myotonic dystrophy at the University of Southern California.
This journey led her to assume the role of co-principal investigator at California State Polytechnic, and she has now come full circle as a researcher at the California Institute of Technology while serving as Outreach Director and Senior Researcher at the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences. Pronounced “Ideal,” Aidyl explores astrobiology, researching soil health and microbiomes in extreme environments from the Arctic to an Azores lava tube cave. Her research also encompasses neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on dementia using nematodes. As an Explorers Club member and part of the EC50 class of 2024, Aidyl joins a distinguished group of individuals that the world needs to know about. As a NASA Solar System Ambassador and amateur magician, Aidyl captivates audiences with her unique fusion of science and enchantment. A fervent advocate for Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (JEDIB), she holds advisory and executive roles in organizations like SparkReach Leadership, iGIANT (impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies), and STEAM Superheroes, embodying a holistic commitment to advancing scientific exploration and societal progress.
