Introducing the Tulip Expert Meet Tulip Expert, Eve Blanchard Science Educator and Writer Eve Blanchard in the garden 1) Any childhood experience that was important in guiding you into your occupation? How did you become interested in this field? I first got interested in plants as a small child helping my father tend his garden. One of my first memories was helping to shake out tiny seeds from a flower called portulaca. I was amazed that those tiny black dots had everything they needed to grow into cool little plants with brilliant flowers. So I got more and more curious about what I saw in the world around me. And they tell me I was always asking questions. Little did I know that at that young age, I was already thinking and acting like a scientist! 2) Any person, role model or leading authority that greatly influenced you (e.g., a parent, 6th grade teacher, scientist)? My father instilled his love for the natural world by inviting me to explore it with him – in gardens, on hikes, in frog ponds, and more – and by sharing his own curiosity and insights. Later in college, I met people who were studying ways we can help keep the environment safe for the future. They, too, influenced my views, job choices, and actions. 3) Your background (e.g., job title, profession, education): I am a self-employed educator and writer who wears several hats. For many years I directed a national education program that helped teachers and kids use schoolyard habitats and gardens for learning. I now work with Journey North to develop ways students can explore the natural world just like scientists do. I also help students become questioning “consumers” of what they see, hear, and read on TV and in newspapers, movies, ads, and other “media.” I like to tell them, “It’s all about asking good questions!” My college degree was in plant science and agriculture. I also have graduate degrees in science education and in media literacy in education. 4) Favorite work story or experience (an exciting, memorable, or exhilarating experience in the field): What could be more memorable (but not pleasurable!) than digging up some tulip bulbs one fall only to find that I had dug into a yellow jacket’s nest?! Half a mile later, most had stopped pursuing me, but half a dozen of the insects I disturbed still managed to sting me! 5) What advice can you give to a student who might be interested in working in your occupation some day? If something in the natural world interests you, find ways to explore it further. That might mean finding a way to volunteer or intern with an organization, project, or individual. Find chances to work with people who love what they do. Watch how they spend their time. Who knows? You might even land a job, or, at least, some new friends and mentors. 6) Who are your family members, including pets? I have a couple of older brothers, one of whom is a lifelong scientist. My husband, David, is a high school teacher, and we have three grown children, Seth, Josh, and Rosie. (They all love growing plants!) We don’t currently have house pets, but because we live in a wooded area in Vermont, we enjoy seeing an occasional bear at our birdfeeders, deer in the clearing, and moose in our garden. 7) Favorite book(s), food(s), or hobbies: I love to read, but don’t often get time to read novels. Instead, I like to read lots of opinions about what’s happening in the world, so our table is flooded with magazines. My escape “just-for-fun” magazine is Natural History. Observing birds and recognizing their songs is one of my favorite pastimes. What’s nice is that I can do it while doing other favorite things like hiking, biking, canoeing, or gardening. I also like to explore other cultures and parts of the world, and to learn about what makes people, places, and habitats “tick.” This spills over into eating; I love spicy foods from Thailand, Italian pesto, Middle Eastern fare, and anything we concoct from our garden produce. Copyright 2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form