Harney County Library holds Science Night Community News Youth November 15, 2023November 15, 20230 Photos by TERRI WATTS Ten professionals from seven local organizations taught students about the science involved in their line of work during Harney County Library’s Science Night on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Alexa Martinez, wildlife biologist, and Dominic Bachman, aquatic health biologist, from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge brought pelts, casts of animal tracks, and other props to teach kids about the wealth of wildlife found at Malheur. The Harney County Library hosted a Science Night for students in kindergarten through 12th grade on Wednesday, Nov. 8. During Science Night, students had the opportunity to meet the awesome scientists who work here in Harney County. Ten professionals from seven organizations taught students about the science involved in their line of work. Dr. Stella Copeland, Dr. Erik Hamerlynck, and Dr. Peter Olsoy from Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center’s USDA Agricultural Research Service demonstrated the different techniques and technologies used in the study of plants. They showcased everything from basic sifters to drones and a Li-Cor Portable Photosynthesis System (LI-COR), which couples measurements of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll A florescence. Kirk Handley, assistant district fish biologist for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, talked to students about fisheries management, fishing, and the various species of fish around our area. Dr. Alyson Kral, archaeologist at the U.S. Forest Service, came with Archeology Technicians Desy Quintanilla and Remy Schultz. They talked about one of their current local archeology projects. Dr. Teresa “Bird” Wicks, Eastern Oregon biologist for Portland Audubon, talked about the complexity of bird songs and how they are studied. Alexa Martinez, wildlife biologist, and Dominic Bachman, aquatic health biologist, from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge brought pelts, casts of animal tracks, and other props to teach kids about the wealth of wildlife found at Malheur. Dr. Sarah Laiosa and Hannah Frank, physician assistant, from the Harney County Health Department were joined by Dr. Lincoln Mosier from Harney District Hospital Family Care Clinic to talk about the heart and show kids how to use a stethoscope. Finally, Linda Beck, cataloger at the Harney County Library, showed kids how science is used in libraries to organize the books and materials they check out to patrons. In celebration of Children’s Book Week, the library handed out free science books to those who attended.