Names: Sabrina Liu ’27, Stewart Kristiansen ’27, Oliver Keeley ’26
Award: Life of the Mind Grant
Project: This project has two core components: Aperture, a student-run STEM and pre-professional publication released once per semester, and Singularity, a weekly podcast.
Aperture will feature a plethora of scientific and pre-professional writings, from brief and accessible introductions to scientific concepts and spotlights on student theses and faculty research, to alumni career paths and pieces of art. Although Aperture is primarily focused on the natural sciences, it also aims to facilitate and inspire conversation, communication, and collaboration between students, faculty, and alumni.
The Singularity podcast aims to complement the publication by offering an accessible and more informal platform for students, alumni, and faculty to share their research projects and professional journeys on a more regular basis. One of the main goals of Singularity is to create a space to share ideas with minimal time commitment for the guest. It will be available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In 2024, members of the group had an initial plan to design a hydroponic farm on campus. Unfortunately, the project was not feasible at the time. After some reflection, however, they realized that their real goal was not to grow lettuce and carrots, but to foster a community where students could showcase their work and encourage interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. Thus, Aperture was born. Due, in large part, to the overarching support systems in place at CC and the exceedingly patient and supportive individuals that make up the STEM community, the group is excited for their inaugural publication, and all the publications to follow.
“I’m sure a discussion between a psychology major and a math major would be absolutely fascinating; the problem is there are too few opportunities to come together,” says Kristiansen. “I’m so excited for Aperture to start these connections between groups of students and faculty.”
“It’s been incredible to work with so many talented, innovative, and dedicated faculty, alumni, and students at Colorado College,” says Keeley. “I look forward to our inaugural publication, along with the publications and adventures to follow. I am ever grateful for all the hard work that others have put into this project.”
“It has been an absolutely fascinating journey that captures the very essence of liberal arts experience – to quote from Walt Whitman, ‘A vast similitude interlocks all’,” says Liu. “Not only did we meet so many brilliant peers and faculty who share our passion, we also learned so much about how to better communicate, find and integrate resources, and make impossible possible. We truly appreciate all who helped us to make this happen and cannot wait to see how Aperture will enrich the CC community!”
The groups would like to thank everyone in the CC community who helped them through this process and continue to help them in the launch of their publication. Specifically, they would like to give a special thanks to: Prof. David Brown (Mathematics), Prof. Shane Heschel (OBE), Prof. Amanda Bowman (Chemistry), Prof. Janet Burge (Computer Science), Prof. Lori Driscoll (Neuroscience & Psychology), Prof. Luis Garcia Puente (Mathematics), Prof. Natalie Gosnell (Physics), Prof. Darrell Killian (Molecular Biology), Prof. Miro Kummel (Environmental Science), Prof. Brian Linkhart (Organismal Biology and Ecology), Prof. Paul Myrow (Geology), Prof. Olivia Hatton (Molecular Biology), Prof. Adam Light (Physics), Prof. Sally Meyer (Chemistry), Ceyna Dawson (The Cutler Publication), Obie Kahne (Math Paraprof), Annie Landis (Career Center), Roy Jo Sartin (Grant Writing Specialist), Lisa Schwarz (Associate Director of Grants), Chris Schacht (Director of the Writing Center), Ben Slater (The Cutler Publication).