KBS K-12 Summer Institute a homecoming for KBS alum Jake Nalley

Area educators gathered at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station on June 20 to learn all about algae. Dr. Jake Nalley, a KBS alumnus who once studied algae at the Station, returned to co-lead the program.

The Summer Algae Science Institute was a full-day training for teachers on how to implement the innovative K-12 Algae Academy curriculum. Though the term “algae” describes a large and diverse group of organisms, the types of algae that Jake talked about were microscopic marine organisms that photosynthesize—make their own food using energy from the sun.

In the program, Jake explained to the K-12 educators in attendance that these algae play an incredibly important ecological role, generating over 60% of the oxygen in our atmosphere. In addition to their potential to meet the world’s pressing demand for more sustainable fuels, foods, and wastewater management, algae are also an effective vehicle for STEM education because they are easy to grow and observe in the classroom.

Algae Academy

After researching algae, applying ecological principles to the farming of algae as a biofuel source, Jake came to see another great application for algae—a source of educational enrichment for K-12 students. As an NSF GK-12 and KBS Science Education & Outreach Fellow, Jake developed a K-12 module that used algae to teach kids fundamental STEM skills.

“I think one of the reasons I found and fell in love with algae so quickly is that I got to take a lot of the science that I loved and excite kids about it, he said.”

He piloted his program with K-12 Partnership teachers and used their valuable feedback to make improvements. Commenting on this and other experiences during his fellowship, Jake said, “I learned so much from the educators that I would not have learned if I had not been in that role.”

After graduating in 2016, Jake brought his K-12 algae module to the Algae Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to education and outreach about the wide-ranging applications of algae.

Jake continues to co-lead the Algae Academy initiative, which has now reached 49 states and over 160,000 students since 2016. In the future, Jake envisions reaching even more schools, particularly those serving underrepresented demographics. In addition, Jake hopes to make versions of Algae Academy specifically tailored to elementary school, upper-level high school, and agriculture tech schools.

About Jake Nalley

After getting his bachelor’s degree in biological science and environmental science from Loyola University in Chicago, Jake became a Ph.D. student in integrative biology at MSU, starting in 2011. He joined Dr. Elena Litchman’s lab at KBS, where his interest in algae was first sparked.

In addition to his role in Algae Academy, Jake is also the Director of Agronomy at Qualitas Health in Texas, a company that produces algae-based dietary supplements. Jake’s job involves overseeing the algae farms, running research and development projects, and helping communicate scientific knowledge to consumers.

Reflecting on how his graduate education prepared him for his career, Jake remarked, “A lot of the things that I find useful in my everyday position now [are] not my science background.” Instead, Jake points to the honing of his ability to communicate science, largely during his outreach fellowships. “Truly, that has been the number one skill that has allowed me to move into this industrial landscape and move up.”

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This article was written by Robin Waterman, a Ph.D. student in the Conner Lab and a KBS Science Education and Outreach fellow.
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