October was a wildly successful month.
From all of us here at Sci4Ga, thank you to everyone who made our Fall Fundraiser a smashing success. We beat our goal! Your support and enthusiasm made us feel like a valuable member of the community.

Thank you to everyone who came out for a community event. We kicked off the month learning about the power-hungry nature of AI and Crypto and about technological advances that can meet our need for animated cat videos, but yet not drain our resources. Then we fed our insatiable curiosities (and our actual bellies) by learning about how to enjoy protein-packed in mealworms. You can have a protein shake and reduce your carbon footprint.

Together with Unearthing Farms we hosted a very timely panel on Environmental Justice and Climate Anxiety. While surrounded by a garden that can nourish your body and mind, we talked about our fears, but we also talked about our hopes for the future. Despite the recently dissipated chlorine cloud hanging over our heads, the panelists all expressed optimism that together, we can make progress toward addressing climate change.

Together with Georgia State University, we hosted a Campus Food & Nutrition Security Summit. Over 80 individuals, representing over 17 Georgia colleges and universities, and multiple community organizations, discussed ways to create change. Despite food insecurity among students being at least twice the national average, a common theme emerged that students do not fully understand what food insecurity is and are unaware of, or unwilling to, ask for support. Universities have a unique ability to both destigmatize food insecurity and provide access to support services. Just as colleges and universities are playing a crucial role in destigmatizing mental health needs, they can do the same for nutrition and food needs. Traditional resources such as SNAP and food pantries were discussed, but we also highlighted the need for community kitchens and gardens to build community.

Huge thank you to Georgia State, esp. or co-host Dr. Nida Shaika, who personally talked to most of the attendees before the summit, to ensure maximum benefit and participation.

Finally, because why hold one 80-plus-person event on one day, when you can hold two? We threw jazz hands at cancer with our Malignant Humor Show. Fun was had, inappropriate cancer jokes were told, and the positive energy in the room flowed. Huge thank you to Wild Heaven for hosting such a good vibes evening.

And we aren’t done yet! As we head into the last 6 working weeks of the year – we have some work to do our end to get prepped for January. Be on the lookout for updated advocacy materials on a host of issues that will be reappearing once all the political ads and drama die down.

• November 5. Dont forget to vote!
• Nov 14 – Monthly Membership meeting
• Nov 14 – Leonardo daVinci Screening and Discussion in Valdosta
• Nov 16 – Test your sleuthing skills with a Forensic Microscopy Murder Mystery
• Nov 20 – Climate Survival Training: A Harvest of Knowledge
• Nov 22 – Get ready for Thanksgiving with our Georgia Science Junction, by learning about Psychedelic’s effects on the Brain