Ohio Sea Grant is pleased to announce the addition of Laural Kirchner as Stone Lab Education and Outreach Specialist.

Kirchner, who joined the program in August, will work to plan, coordinate, and promote Stone Lab’s education and outreach initiatives to increase Great Lakes literacy for visitors of all ages.

“We’re excited to have Laural join our team to amplify our Stone Lab education and outreach efforts,” said Tory Gabriel, extension program leader for Ohio Sea Grant. “She brings a wealth of experience in the education space,” and we’re looking forward to expanding our impact and connecting even more people to the Lake Erie resource.”

Kirchner is an education and outreach specialist with more than 15 years of experience in public media and school settings, where she designed and delivered science-focused educational programming, community outreach initiatives, and professional learning experiences for students, educators, families, and community groups.

Previously, she served as an education and outreach coordinator for WBGU-PBS at Bowling Green State University. There, she managed a $300,000 grant-funded outreach program supporting regional STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and community engagement initiatives. She also previously worked as an educational services trainer in Northwest Ohio and as a tutor and science teacher for Bowling Green City Schools.

As Stone Lab’s education and outreach specialist, Kirchner will contribute to evidence-based educational lessons with a focus on Stone Lab’s Science Field Trip Program while also assisting with programs for visitors, coordinating outreach events, conducting field trips and tours, and working with Ohio Sea Grant staff on grant proposals for Great Lakes literacy.

Her contact information is available at ohioseagrant.osu.edu/about/people.

Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nation-wide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.