Join Scientist in Every Florida School and EarthEcho International for a conversation with Jackson Powell, marine biologist and Ph.D. student at Florida State University. Dive in as we learn more about invertebrates, the most biodiverse groups on Earth. During this live event, we will speak with Jackson about his research on marine invertebrates, learn more about his career path, and discover why it’s important to challenge stereotypes in all fields of science. Hosted by EarthEcho International Youth Leader, Armon Alex.

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Guest Expert: Jackson Powell  

In June 2020, Jackson Powell achieved Twitter fame when a tweet he posted on #BlackInNature drew mass attention to his research on marine invertebrates conducted in various locations around the world.  The BlackInNature hashtag is one of several intended to highlight Black people working in the environmental sciences, thereby challenging stereotypes.  It has become a call to action to increase Black representation in the sciences.  Jackson is also a McKnight Doctoral Fellow as well as a Mentor for The Florida Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (FGLSAMP) in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) at Florida State University.  

Jackson is studying the potential for evolutionary rescue in marine invertebrates with complex life cycles. He has been developing a new system to address this issue using breeding designs and environmental manipulations. Invertebrates are the most biodiverse groups on Earth having been around for over 400 million years. Jackson specifically studies Molgula occidentalis, an abundant native solitary ascidian in the shallow subtidal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. 

Learning Standards Addressed:

• Big Idea 1 SC.7.N.1 
• Big Idea VA.68.C: Critical Thinking and Reflection 
• Big Idea VA.68.S: Skills, Techniques, and Processes 
• Big Idea VA.68.F: Innovation, Technology, and the Future 

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