We asked a first grader to interview his hero: A bird scientist
A seven-year-old aspiring conservation scientist interviews a professional bird researcher to learn about the field. The article highlights the importance of mentorship in helping young people from underrepresented backgrounds pursue careers in nature and science.
Why it matters
Mentorship is a critical factor in diversifying the scientific workforce and helping children maintain their career aspirations.
Catch up on what you missed with our Education newsletter, sent weekly.
PHILADELPHIA — Seven-year-old Khalib Townsend hikes in the rain along the Audubon Discovery Center's nature trail. He's all suited up in a bright blue waterproof jacket, holding in his small hands a pair of binoculars that hang around his neck.
Because today, he's going on a bird walk.
NPR Ed Field Notes: Training Role Models For Young African-Americans "I just really got interested in birds because I thought they were really cool and I wanted to study all types of animals," Khalib says with a big smile with his front teeth missing.
Khalib says he loves nature. He wants to study biology and learn about different plants and animals. This precocious first grader really wants to be a conservation scientist, "because I care for the Earth," he says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in