Biology hosts NASA Outreach Day for Meadows Elementary students

Dr. Holly Cyphert, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, recently hosted a NASA Outreach Day that brought seventy fourth- and fifth-grade students from Meadows Elementary to campus for a full day of hands-on science exploration.

Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive activities in the physiology lab, where they conducted guided dissections of eyes, brains, hearts, and spinal cords. They also explored ecology through an owl pellet dissection and built food webs, discovering how organisms depend on one another within an ecosystem.

The event was supported by a dedicated team of biology student volunteers, including Kinsey Mounts, Issac Campbell, Sydney Herman, Ava Garmestani, and Josie Barker, whose mentorship and enthusiasm helped make the experience engaging and memorable for the visiting students.

The day concluded with a visit to Harless Hall and a walk around campus, where students created their own Marshall University-inspired food web. The experience left a lasting impression. According to the school’s principal, both students and parents were still talking the next morning about how much they enjoyed their time at Marshall.

The College of Science remains committed to expanding outreach opportunities like NASA Outreach Day, connecting young learners with hands-on research experiences and inspiring the next generation of scientists.