Drawing Attention to the Science at BML
An SRJC-BML Internship Story
My name is Sophia Chin and my goal is to interweave natural science and visual art as a way to encourage climate activism. I studied both subjects at SRJC and am transferring to UC Santa Cruz in the fall of 2024 as a Junior.
As an intern at Bodega Marine Lab, I created animations and videos highlighting the work and research at the lab and surrounding reserve. With the help of my mentor, Gio Poulos, Assistant to the Director and science communicator, I connected with researchers and the reserve director to understand more about their work. They gave me a peak behind the curtain of what is otherwise closed to the public. It was my job to fill you in as I learned the stories behind these impactful projects and I hope my videos capture even a fraction of the immense passion that poured from these researchers’ hearts.
It was quite a challenge condensing world-changing research into a bite-sized message for social media. I boiled down all my learnings into a compact script keeping only the best parts and supported them with visuals to design an engaging and accessible video.
Science communication is key for tackling climate change and I am honored Bodega Marine Lab offered me this role. By focusing on climate justice in my artwork, I aim to harness the inherent power of art to capture attention and evoke emotion, thereby inspiring our communities to take action toward an improved collective future.
Hopefully, my videos will act as a spotlight for the incredible projects at the Bodega Marine Lab and will foster curiosity for you to learn more about the lab and reserve. Enjoy!
“Welcome to my home!” introduced by a White Abalone Cartoon:
Cordell Bank Mooring Animation:
About the Program:
The SRJC-BML Internship Program provides summer research opportunities for Santa Rosa Junior College students at the Bodega Marine Laboratory.