PSM Graduate Students help highschoolers learn about MSUE research
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EmailAt a recent event, Paige Baisley and Brandon Scott lab had the opportunity to connect visiting FFA students to PSM research
At a recent event, these two graduate students in the Forage Lab led by Dr. Kim Cassida had the opportunity to demonstrate an MSUE rainfall simulator and slake test, which are often done on a larger scale outdoors, but work great in a classroom too.
For first-year grad student Brandon Scott, it was his first time working with high school students. “I see the value in connecting what we do at MSU to high school students because I was not aware of programs like ‘crop and soil science’ or ‘horticulture’ when I was in high school,” Brandon said. “It was not until I was in community college when I learned about all that MSU has to offer.” Meanwhile, Brandon is adjusting to life as a grad student. “It can be challenging to balance my time between course work and research and stay focused on one task at a time without spending too much time on one task or another.”
PhD candidate Paige Baisley worked on a similar demonstration at the event one year ago. “Connecting what we do at MSU to high school students is very important. Many students will go on to jobs where they can use MSU extension resources or may be interested in attending MSU. Demonstrations like this showcase the many resources—and hopefully interest them in topics they might not otherwise be exposed to. For me, it is a great opportunity to practice teaching and to connect with the agriculture community. I’d like to do research that helps farmers and that includes building connections with current and future farmers.”
Paige says one of the big challenges of grad school is constantly learning new skills “and doing things outside of my comfort zone. I am rarely doing things or making decisions where I feel even moderately comfortable and confident. There is always something new to learn or something I feel like I should already know. Often this is tiring and stressful, usually it is also exciting, but at least I am never bored.”
Thank you Paige and Brandon!
