In this first-person narrative, Jessica Braun, doctoral student in the Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Graduate Program, tells Nevada Today about her experience changing minds about bees and the impact an outreach event can have.

At outreach events, my favorite thing is seeing children's eyes light up in wonder when looking at insects, which are often feared or overlooked. There are always children who start out nervous or grossed out by the bees and other insects, and then end up coming closer, interacting with them, becoming curious and asking questions. It is a small thing that I can't help but feel matters down the line, and I hope these kids will let their curiosity develop more and more of a love for the natural world around them. Maybe they'll end up scientists and naturalists, maybe they'll advocate for the protection of nature, or maybe they'll just end up an adult that lets a bug be instead of killing it. Regardless, I think it's a net positive for the world. These educational outreach events are so important for opening up a part of the world that kids may not ordinarily see or care about. I think it's also important for them to interact with real-life scientists, so their wonder and knowledge can be encouraged, and they can see what careers are possible in science.

Earlier this year, I participated in an outreach event at the American Beekeeping Federation Conference. There is a specific interaction I had at this event that will stick with me forever. A little girl, around 8 to 10 years old, came up to the table and started looking at all the pinned bee specimens and live bees (contained in a box). She was shy and quiet but had the sweetest smile. She didn't say much at first, but after I explained everything to her, she had a couple of questions. Eventually, she left the table but ended up returning at least three times throughout the event, each time picking up the specimens and really studying them, occasionally asking a question, and listening closely when I was talking to other kids.

On one of these visits, she said, "I like bees!" and I said, "Hey, me too!" and she added, "I really like them..." Her parents chimed in to say, "She didn't until today. She was really scared of bees, so we thought this event might help her be less afraid."

The girl nodded and went back to studying the live bees up close. Toward the end of the event, the girl and her parents came up to the table and said they were about to leave and had to come back and see the bees one last time before going. We said our goodbyes, and I was sad to see them go.

A few minutes later, they came back, and her parents said, "She wanted to know if you would take a picture with her." I said of course, handed her the little box of live bees, crouched down, and her parents took a photo of us. It made me emotional, because it felt like this was a day that was really going to stick with her. She overcame her fear and found a new passion, and I was honored that I got to feel like a part of it. I don't know what the girl's future holds, but I bet it will be something great, and I got to be one little steppingstone on her journey. Outreach events matter.