FAU Celebrates Inaugural Diversity in Science Festival
Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science will host the inaugural Diversity in Science Festival on Friday, March 25 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Sanson Life Sciences Patio, Breezeway and General Classroom North Room 102, on the Boca Raton campus.
Area high school and middle school students, FAU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff will enjoy science-related exhibitions, interactive games and activities. Panelists and speakers will facilitate candid dialogue on transparency, accountability, inclusion and equity. The festival encourages partnerships between the university, clubs and local communities to promote the ideals of mutual respect and inclusion.
“Diversity is one of our unique strengths at FAU, and this inaugural festival highlights the diversity that shapes our college and institution,” said Teresa Wilcox, Ph.D., interim dean of FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “Thanks to the support from our partners inside and outside of FAU, we can collectively recognize the importance of inclusion and belonging and show that we all share this value. We hope students, faculty, staff and community members experience new perspectives, learn from the experts, and discover all the opportunities FAU offers both in the sciences and across the university. It is through this mutual exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives that we sustain the depth of our learning.”
The purpose of the Diversity in Science Festival is to augment the mission of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Wilcox established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee to nurture a teaching, learning and research environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are highly valued and respected.
“We hope the festival will help create opportunities and platforms for all members of the college to facilitate the realization of the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Yanmei Li, Ph.D, associate professor and college administrative fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Science. “The festival also provides our faculty, staff and students an opportunity to come together and celebrate diversity and embrace everyone’s identity and heritage.”
For more information on FAU’s Diversity in Science Festival, visit science.fau.edu/diversity/festival.
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Tags: students | science | faculty and staff