Brostache, Fu Manchu, Handlebar... Mustaches are definitely making a comeback.

I spent both last Friday and today presenting to students at Palmyra Macedon High School! On Friday I presented to a chemistry class and a math applications class; and today I presented to three chemistry classes (plus some other math students who were allowed to sit in if they wished). This amounted to close to 90 students overall or so, of various grade levels but mostly sophomores and juniors. Pal Mac has block scheduling, which is AWESOME because it gives us so much time to really get into it! So, I started off with a retrospective of Imaging over the past 100 or so years for some background, and then segued into the Mars Rover related multispectral imaging talk. This, of course, included a demonstration with the FLIR thermal camera....

Home Alone?

After going through some applications of thermal imaging, more educational examples of multi/hyperspectral imaging, and solving the Mars blueberries mystery, I shared my own story of how I became an Imaging Scientist. This naturally includes all kinds of information about our summer internship program, and it seems that there were quite a few interested students! Many of them even came and spoke with me after class for more information, though some of them were sophomores so they'll have to wait another year before they are qualified.

One of the greatest things about block scheduling is that it leaves us with time at the end when the students can get their picture taken in front of the camera and have it printed out for them to keep (with an Imaging Science sticker on the back, of course; which also went over so well, there were even students asking for additional platypus stickers!). These students were very excited and really got into having their thermal images taken, even using props and ice in their pictures:

Uh-oh, looks like I may have a new BEST MUSTACHE EVER winner. Check out those handlebars!

A couple of my favorite pictures from the day, now proudly displayed on my office bulletin board.

And, it wasn't just the students getting excited over getting their pictures taken - I took a group photo of the whole science department with the FLIR, and they said they're going to use it for this year's yearbook! Even one of the teachers used ice to draw on a mustache. I forgot to print out a copy, so I'm hoping they'll email one to me so I can post it here.

All in all, it has been a fantastic couple of days. The students at Pal Mac really impressed me with their welcoming attitudes and willingness to participate. There were a number of sharp students who were really on the ball with questions and answers, and many more who you could see had their interest sparked. I hope to be able to continue to partner with Pal Mac in the future, because it is always a very positive experience when I go out there. Here's hoping I inspired some kids to pursue a future in science!