Last month, I wrote about grasses while spending all my days at home during the spring of the Covid-19 viral outbreak. Since then, between lawn mowing sessions and working from home, I awaited the return of my perrenial hosta plants from underground, which create a leafy landscape in the shady areas of my backyard. Now … Continue reading Hello, hostas: More moments from a pandemic spring at home
science writing
Watching the grass grow—a pandemic spring at home
A lot has happened since I last wrote a blog entry. I haven't really had time to indulge in the pleasure of writing for a couple of months. In a nutshell, a pandemic viral outbreak has happened, of course, and I—like so many people around the world—have retreated as much as I can into my … Continue reading Watching the grass grow—a pandemic spring at home
Fall reading, part II: Food fights
I'm going to make this a quick post. I'm supposed to be grading end-of-semester exams. Or taking in seasonal fun, like making cookies. But since I titled my previous blog post "Fall reading, part I," I figured I really should follow up with that "part II" before fall solidly gives way to winter! When I … Continue reading Fall reading, part II: Food fights
Fall reading, part I: Math matters
I guess I always thought I'd use more math in my work. I'm trained as a scientist. I now train students in foundational biology concepts and ways in which science and scientists connect with the world. And yet, most of the math I do involves only simple arithmetic, algebraic manipulations, and elementary statistics. It turns … Continue reading Fall reading, part I: Math matters
SciComm Takes Center Stage
I've been busy the past few months with the kick-off of a new academic year. One of the biggest shifts for me has been the extent to which science communication has risen to the top of my to-do lists. We've reached the midpoint of my semester and a relaxing few days for Fall Break, so … Continue reading SciComm Takes Center Stage
Summer reading 2019
During the past couple of summers, I read quite a few science-themed books and blogged about them here. This summer, I stayed pretty busy with family adventures, a lot of outdoor pursuits, professional development, and other writing projects instead. However, I did find some time to read for pleasure—relaxing with both beach fiction (yay!) and … Continue reading Summer reading 2019
Summer’s coneflowers
Purple coneflowers. ©Erin Gerecke (own photo) Many years ago, when I was pondering what kinds of flowering plants to put in my first yard, my mother suggested coneflowers, one of her favorites. I was less impressed with them at the time. I thought coneflowers looked spindly and awkward, a gangly, dry sort of plant that … Continue reading Summer’s coneflowers
Reading about scientific writing
I'm gearing up to teach a seminar course for senior undergraduates, starting this week. The course has two main types of activities: a semester-long writing project and oral presentations about scientific findings relating to the course theme. I've already written a bit here about circadian rhythms—the topic I like to use in this course. But … Continue reading Reading about scientific writing
2018: At the intersection of science and ______
Another year is drawing to a close. I'm currently enjoying a break between semesters of teaching, featuring a holiday season spent with family, music, and cookies. I always enjoy this opportunity to retreat from the usual routines and responsibilities and recharge for a fresh start in a new year that waits just around the corner. … Continue reading 2018: At the intersection of science and ______
Wombats, weights, and worldwide woes
The past month has been a busy one for me. It was that time in the semester when my students give me papers and exams to grade…and when I pick up pesky respiratory viruses. I was very grateful for a break this week with time off to rest, recuperate, relax, and spend time with family … Continue reading Wombats, weights, and worldwide woes
Mulled Science 