Project Dragonfly master's student Katelynn Reeder awarded scholarship from Miami University's Global Initiatives to travel to Australia

2017 Apr 19

Phoenix, Ariz., resident Katelynn Reeder has received a Summer Credit Workshop Study Abroad Scholarship from Miami University's Global Initiatives office to help fund travel on a summer 2017 Earth Expeditions course to Australia.

Reeder was one of three students selected from 61 applicants. A science teacher, Reeder is a master's student in the Advanced Inquiry Program from Project Dragonfly at Miami. This summer she will study coral reef ecology and the conservation of marine systems along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Reeder said she is interested in visiting Reef HQ Aquarium which runs an on-site turtle hospital and implements a range of education programs designed to investigate local issues affecting the greater Great Barrier Reef environment. Australia will provide Reeder an opportunity to learn more about the role of conservation and to bring those lessons back to her community and inspire positive action.

Miami's Global Initiatives scholarship committee asks applicants to explain how traveling abroad serves to advance their personal, academic and professional goals. The committee was impressed with Reeder's interest in connecting her profession as a science teacher to her master's work on environmental stewardship and raising awareness about water conservation.

Australia is home to one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef. During the field portion of this course, Reeder will be venturing forth on several excursions for direct research on the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in some of Australia's unique terrestrial habitats and discussing a range of marine science issues, as well as citizen engagement in marine science and environmental stewardship.

Miami University's Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits and graduate programs worldwide. Project Dragonfly is based in the department of biology at Miami University, a state university in Oxford, Ohio. Miami was established in 1809 and is listed as one of the eight original Public Ivies.

Miami's Global Initiatives office supports Miami University's global teaching, outreach and research missions. Global Initiatives supports and encourages Miami's commitment to dynamic and comprehensive internationalization, resulting in a diverse cultural and global learning experience for students.

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