UA Grad Students Showcase Work through Hands-on Fun

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama graduate students will share their knowledge through fun, interactive exhibits and activities during Family Night at the Museum.

A collaborative effort between UA’s Graduate Student Association, Graduate Parent Support, Alabama Museum of Natural History and UA’s Human Resources Work Life program, the event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the natural history museum in Smith Hall.

In its second year, the event features exhibits by graduate students in different departments, as well as music, food and door prizes. It is open to students, faculty, staff and community members, and it is free.

“(The event is) a way to connect the graduate student departments with the community, both on and off campus,” said Cori Perdue, Work Life manager. “People might know about the different departments (at UA), but they don’t really know what those departments do. This way, graduate students can showcase the work they do, and connect with the younger children.”

From learning how to run an old-fashioned printing press to digging for fossils, the event features hands-on activities for every age. Middle and high school students might even think of a science fair project idea, said Perdue.

“It introduces kids to all of these different disciplines they may have never heard of before,” said Dr. Amanda Espy-Brown, education and outreach coordinator with UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History. “It’s just a great night out for the family.”