|
To embody leadership through stewardship to the environment and service to others is Isaac Edward’s mission. After his time with The GLOBE Program, Edwards went on to graduate in the top 10% of his class in high school, earn an athletic scholarship at Ouachita Baptist University to play football, and pursue an undergraduate degree in both Biology and Communications, all while working in his local community as a resident assistant, apartment manager, and member of Ouachita Student Senate. Edwards’s past participation in The GLOBE Program as a student, and continuing since then, has been marked by a desire to serve others.
From growing up in a small East Texas town and being enthralled by nature to using his passion for communication to connect with those around him, Isaac shares his experience with GLOBE and the lessons it taught him.
“The GLOBE Program offered me opportunities that I only could have dreamed of before; and through them, I was able to learn more about the environment, other cultures, and myself.”
- Isaac Edwards, The GLOBE program Alumni ‘20
Leading through Service
Isaac grew up in a small community nestled within the Piney Woods of East Texas known as Hawkins. Appreciation for the environment is engrained in the culture of the rural community, and it is something that Isaac learned early. His close-knit family enjoyed spending summers at the a nearby lake and often traveled to scenic venues when afforded the chance. While establishing an appreciation for the world around him, Isaac’s parents also instilled in him and his two siblings the importance of being involved in academics and throughout their community. He sought to be a leader from a young age.
“Stewardship is the best form of leadership,” Isaac says, and it was through this notion that Isaac became interested in The GLOBE Program. His mother, a teacher, and older sister were both involved in the program when Isaac was young. “I remember when they got the chance to travel to India,” Isaac said.” My whole grade skyped them and we were all so amazed at the work they were doing.” His awe wasn’t fleeting either. Three years later, he was involved in The GLOBE Program, too — giving back to his community through scientific research just as his sister and mom had done before.
In 2018, The GLOBE Program hosted their triennial GLE in Killarney, Ireland. Among the many attendees, was Isaac. “The conference is one of my fondest memories I have,” he says. “I met so many people, and from all over the world, who care about the environment and science just as much as I do.” Isaac found sharing with others about their work in their respective communities to be a profound experience.
Communicating Despite Barriers
Communicating effectively has been a pursuit of Isaac’s from a young age. In middle school and high school, he competed in school competitions for acting and speaking. Now, in college, he studies communications and multimedia. While being able to effectively exchange info with others has always been a goal of his, The GLOBE Program experiences challenged him to find new ways to communicate. It was something he highlighted when interviewed at the GLOBE Student Research Experience in 2016. “But when you’re there with them, you’re talking to them in your common language, which is science, you realize you're similar,” he reflected.
Using science as a bridge across lingual and cultural barriers is what made Isaac also study Biology in college. He plans to continue his studies in Grad school and eventually pursue a career somewhere where both his expertise in communications and the sciences can be fully utilized. Isaac also reflected that while his future is undetermined, he knows that, in the end, he just wants to be a steward to others. “It’s the reason I joined GLOBE,” said Isaac. “And, it’s the reason why I do what I do today.”
The GLOBE Experience
Isaac attended a myriad of GLOBE conferences. From 2015 to 2018, he attended annual and regional conferences in Los Angeles, New Haven, Estes Park, Denver, Mescalero, Houston, and Killarney to present research on water quality in local watersheds. When asked about what he enjoyed the most, there was no hesitation. “The people,” he said. “Science is great, but at the end of the day we care so much about the Earth and the environment because of who lives on it, and that’s us.” His research reflected this.
Using several protocols, including pH, Fecal Coliform, Nitrates, Turbidity, etc. Isaac and his team tested multiple watersheds in the area. While Isaac had excelled in science classes and enjoyed them, being from a small town, he didn’t have much in the way of scientific experiences beyond the classroom. Thus, The GLOBE Program served as a medium by which Isaac and his friends were able to challenge themselves and grow in understanding of the world around them.
For Isaac, The GLOBE Program functioned as a means for him to take action. It wasn’t enough to simply appreciate the natural world around him. Instead, utilizing protocols and testing he learned through The GLOBE Program, Isaac was better able to understand the ecosystem of his local watersheds and watersheds around the world. Opening him up to a new world of knowledge is what made Isaac’s experience with The Globe Program so special.
In His Own Words
- Family Life: My family is super close, and I’m so thankful for the way they’ve raised me. My mom and dad were both integral in fueling my interests and turning them into passions. My brother and sister were always supportive older siblings and I don’t know where I’d be without their guidance. Even my grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins were so kind and genuine in the way they cared for me.
- Free Time: I love the outdoors, doing anything active, and have a passion for photography.
- Favorite GLOBE Nostalgia: The student research experience at Estes Park was so much fun. I’ve always loved the mountains, so being in the Rockies and getting to learn about them practically was simply bliss.
- Fun Fact: I still talk to some of my GLOBE friends almost every day.
|
