An interview on science communication, hands-on learning, and community partnerships with Associate Professor of Biology Rika Anderson.
Interviewer: Emily Seru, Associate Director for Academic Civic Engagement and Scholarship
Interviewee: Rika Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology
At Carleton College, the FOCUS program (Focusing on Cultivating Scientists) pairs rigorous academic inquiry with real-world community impact. One of its standout experiential and community-engaged events is Science Night, hosted in collaboration with Northfield’s Community School program as an Academic Civic Engagement project, most commonly as a part of the Sophomore Colloquium.
Visualizing Science Night
Emily Seru: Rika, you are one of the faculty mentors in the FOCUS program. Paint a picture for us: what does Science Night look like?
Rika Anderson: It can be total chaos! A couple of years ago, we had about 40 Carleton students and well over a hundred community members gathered in the cafeteria at Greenvale Park Elementary School on a Thursday evening.
There are tables set up all across the cafeteria, each hosted by a group of about four Carleton students demonstrating different activities. For example, one engineering project challenged kids to build a tower out of dried spaghetti to see how tall and strong they could make it. Another table hosted a game about natural selection, where children used pretend bird beaks—like paper clips, beans, and rice—to learn which beak shapes were best at gathering specific foods. We also had a robotics demonstration where students built a maze using Lego robots and timed how quickly a ball could travel through it.
It is loud, messy, and fun. Elementary school children run from table to table while Carleton students excitedly explain concepts and run the games. Parents wander around, shepherd their kids, and talk with the Carleton students. Overall, there are a lot of smiles and everyone has a great time.
“Now we have a strict rule: no fire, no glitter, and no sharp objects! Those are practical rules we have learned over the years.” — Rika Anderson
Values informing Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) projects
Emily Seru: What has been your approach to teaching Academic Civic Engagement (ACE) courses and this course in particular? What values drive your ACE course design and practice?
Rika Anderson: A central theme across almost every class I teach in the biology department is that science does not operate in a vacuum. What we do as scientists impacts society at large, and society in turn impacts the science we do.
The best way to illustrate this mutual impact for students is to have them go out into the community to experience it firsthand. They have to think carefully about how to communicate scientific concepts to people who are not Carleton students or professors. I remind my students that we are citizens who live in this community, too. Decisions about our research are not made in isolation, and when we communicate scientific results, they will be interpreted by the public. While we cannot always control that interpretation, we can be mindful of what we say, what we do, and how we conduct our science.
When working with community partners, my approach centers on cultivating a culture of respect. We do not tell our partners what we are going to do; instead, we work with them to understand their goals, needs, and hopes. We adapt our curriculum over time depending on who will be attending Science Night. Working directly with busy community members who have their own priorities helps students viscerally understand how science communication works with real people.
Students learn best when they are teaching. Explaining a concept to someone else forces you to master it deeply. I tell my students that whether they are explaining science to a first grader, a fifth grader, a high schooler, or a corporate CEO without a biology background, the core communication skills are identical and will serve them regardless of their career path.
Challenges and Adaptability in Community Partnerships
Emily Seru: What have you found challenging about structuring and implementing ACE courses with a community partner?
Rika Anderson: We partner with the local Community School program in Northfield, which offers evening activities, homework help, tutoring, sports, and language learning for elementary students and families. It is a fantastic community resource, but because it is constantly growing and evolving, there can be staff turnover among leadership. However, navigating these shifting variables is valuable for students because it mirrors the real world. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted Science Night to run over Zoom. It required flexibility, but it worked.
Student Growth and Partner Feedback
Emily Seru: What do you find rewarding about teaching this class, and what do you hope your students gain from an ACE course?
Rika Anderson: Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces is always extremely rewarding.
My main hope is that students master the scientific concepts by teaching them. I also hope it solidifies their understanding that science exists within society, fosters a sense of civic responsibility, and inspires them to remain active, meaningful community members throughout their lives.
Emily Seru: What kind of feedback have you received from your community partner about Science Night?
Rika Anderson: Overall, they really like it and welcome us back every year. They appreciate that we work collaboratively with them rather than simply delivering a pre-packaged product.
Parents have also reached out directly via email to express how much their children enjoyed the event. Some have highlighted specific Carleton students, noting that they would make wonderful teachers, which is always wonderful feedback to pass along.
Future Goals & Advice for Faculty
Emily Seru: Do you have goals for teaching this class in the future?
Rika Anderson: My goal is to sustain Science Night as programs and faculty roles shift. The key challenge is finding the right balance—keeping the event sustainable, welcoming, and properly sized so that Carleton participants do not overwhelm community members.
Emily Seru: Do you have advice for Carleton faculty who are curious about dipping their toe into teaching an applied ACE course?
Rika Anderson: Be willing to let go of rigidity and adapt to the dynamic nature of community work. Success can take many forms, but it is deeply rewarding if you embrace the process. The Community School setup provides a flexible, spacious, and welcoming environment for both students and faculty to engage effectively with the local community.
About the Participants
- Rika Anderson is an Associate Professor of Biology at Carleton College and a faculty mentor in the FOCUS program.
- Emily Seru is the Associate Director for Academic Civic Engagement and Scholarship (ACE) at Carleton College.
- The FOCUS Program (Focusing on Cultivating Scientists) supports students historically underrepresented in STEM fields through mentorship, cohort-building, and experiential learning.