An Inspiring Experience

This experience inspired me! I will be forever grateful for the two weeks I spent making and being outdoors at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. I wish I was there at a different time since the pandemic made it a little hard to socialize the way I would have liked to, but I’m still grateful for …

Nature as a Creative Reset

Hello again, Iowa … … it’s been a minute! Although I now reside in the Twin Cities, I spent most of my life (outdoors!) in Iowa. I grew up in eastern Iowa, spending most summers floating the Maquoketa River, feeding ducks at Iowa City’s city park, and running to and around Pictured Rocks State Park. …

Re_Adjusting to Nature // Re_Discovering Science

Lakeside Labs and my rehabilitation… Upon arrival to Lakeside Labs I had an overwhelming feeling that I had just checking into a rehab center. Maybe it was the housing, communal dining, or all the friendly faces… either way I was out of my comfort zone and starting to have withdrawals from the life I once …

It is Important to be Fascinated by the Little Things

6/18 On Monday morning, with the animal behavior class, we released some sunfish, pike, bass and minnows that we had gathered for predator/prey experiments. It was a rainy morning, so we went to a coffee shop to talk about parenting behavior. During the discussion, Neil got a phone call from Dwight who restores natural prairies …

No comfort in a growth zone, no growth in a comfort zone

Week 2 – No comfort in a growth zone, no growth in a comfort zone The good news — no poison ivy yet! Sunday There was a lovely parents brunch today. Lisa Roti did a beautiful job decorating the room and Erika created a buffet that was really lovely. I’d like to add that the …

Exploring the Grounds, the Collections, and the Land

Week 1 (June 9th-16th, 2017) My first week here at Lakeside Lab has been full of all types of exploring. From exploring the grounds where Lakeside Lab is located, the collections in the many labs, and the lands that surround West Lake Okoboji. I arrived during the evening of June 9th, where I briefly walked …

Scientific data, ethics, personal awareness, & environmental impacts

Do you like kayaking, microscopes, great conversation, science, and food? Well, you would fit in great at Lakeside Lab. Week one of the Lakeside Lab Artist in Residency has been full of discussion, inquiry, learning, and exploration of the environment and topics relevant not only to ecology and science but art and design as well. …