News and Outreach Events
Discovery Day: Decomposer Diaries was hosted on September 1st 2022 by a local nature center to teach families about the importance of decomposers. The Mikaelyan lab brought Cochliomyia macellaria and Lucilia sericata to share how blow flies are important members of ecosystems that begin the process of decomposition.
North Carolina Science Festival (or NCSciFest): Hosted throughout April 2022 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to teach a wide range of sciences to kids. The Mikaelyan lab brought larval and adult blow flies to teach kids what blow flies do and why they're such exciting insects
Hands-on outreach at White Deer Park Nature Center in Garner (February 3rd 2023). Taught children and families about the importance of insects, especially decomposers such as blow flies.
South Garner High School (February 16th 2023). Taught 3 lectures to high school juniors and seniors about the relevance of blow flies to forensic entomology, focusing on their saprophagous behavior and how they affect forensic entomology.
Q&A and live insect handling at River Dell Elementary STEAM Night (February 23rd 2023). Presented four sessions for K-2 students about the importance of flies, bees, moths, and other arthropods.