Hello,

We are winding up June field experiences for Advanced Inquiry Program and Earth Expeditions courses, and we're prepping for July and August. It's a busy summer, and we're excited to be back out there!

Please read below to learn about the incredible work and conservation action of some of our Dragonfly students. And don't forget that this Friday is the deadline to apply to the AIP and GFP for fall 2022 entry.

On behalf of the Dragonfly Team,

Jamie

AIP student Allyson Gaarder publishes in national energy newsletter

Advanced Inquiry Program student Allyson Gaarder of Ramona, California, has been published in the Spring 2022 newsletter of the American Energy Society.

After sharing her research about lithium resources for electric vehicles on LinkedIn, the article garnered worldwide interest with remarks from energy and mining experts, regulatory compliance consultants, policy influencers, and business leaders.

To earn her master's from Miami University, Gaarder takes Miami web-based classes while engaging with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance community. Gaarder is a ski instructor at Big Bear Mountain Resort and also works in the service sector in Big Bear Lake. ... read more about Gaarder's research.

AIP student Meagan Holdeman leads green practices in Colorado's theater industry

Advanced Inquiry Program student Meagan Holdeman of Loveland, Colorado, is establishing an alliance throughout the state to try to reduce the carbon footprint of the theater community. Holdeman, who participates in experiential learning through AIP Institution the Denver Zoo, is the sound technician at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

“Sustainability is always a battle with convenience,” said Holdeman in the article. “The fact of the matter is, the wasteful thing is often the most convenient thing. So how can we change things so that the non-wasteful thing is also the most convenient thing?”... read more and access the article about Holdeman.

AIP student Noah Riccio creates media to promote shark ecology and conservation

Advanced Inquiry Program student Noah Riccio of Jacksonville, Florida, wanted to create conservation messaging beyond what a typical lecture or documentary might accomplish. So, for one of his Miami AIP classes he created a story-driven video game experience.

"You are a bull shark, and life begins in a state of relative ease, with the only common threat being predators," Riccio's website says. "However, such a luxury is short-lived. As time passes and various pollutants and unregulated activities persist in and around the river system, life will suddenly become more difficult… even for apex predators such as the bull shark."

Riccio, who works as a field biologist, participates in field study through AIP Institution the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. ... read more and download his game.

Happy Pride Month!

Read social media posts and blogs from Miami University and our AIP institutions in celebration of Pride Month, which has been a time for celebrating diversity and the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people.