Virtual visit to UA Maker Academy

New York City, NY

In October 2020, I had the pleasure of virtually visiting the 10th-grade Living Environment class at The Urban Assembly Maker Academy in New York City. Thanks to their teacher, Mr. Justin Grimm-Greenblatt, I was invited to talk with students about my work as a herpetologist and share a bit about what it’s like to study frogs for a living.

Our goal was to give students a chance to meet a real scientist and explore the field of herpetology—diving into frog behavior, communication, and the important role amphibians play in ecosystems. I also shared some of my own journey in science: how I became interested in frogs, what questions drive my research, and why protecting amphibians matters.

One of the best parts of the session was the Q&A that followed. The students asked thoughtful and often surprising questions about frogs and science in general.

Even though we weren’t in the same physical space, it was a great reminder of how virtual classrooms can still spark real connections. A huge thank you to Mr. Grimm-Greenblatt and all the students at UA Maker Academy for the invitation!