McGee is a herpetologist, a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians. Lizards are reptiles. McGee wants to learn more about how drought might be affecting them. That information could help protect the animals.

McGee believes education is a key part of protecting wild places and animals. So she shares her knowledge of science with others. McGee spoke with SuperSTEM about her work and why it’s important for people from all backgrounds to be involved in science. 

McGee is a herpetologist. That’s a scientist who studies reptiles. They also study amphibians. Lizards are reptiles. McGee wants to learn more about the effects of drought. It might be affecting the lizards. That information could help protect the animals.

McGee believes education is a key part of protecting wild places and animals. So she shares her knowledge of science with others. McGee spoke with SuperSTEM about her work.

As a kid, I spent a lot of time outdoors looking for animals. I didn’t know that was something I could do as a job until I was in college. I joined a research program for two years, and I chose to study lizards. I fell in love with them! I got the chance to try to answer some of the questions I’d had since I was a kid, like: What do lizards eat? Where do they sleep? How do they communicate? I couldn’t believe people were doing this type of research for a living. I learned conservation takes a lot of work. I didn’t want to stop.

As a kid, I spent a lot of time outdoors. I was looking for animals. I didn’t know that was something I could do as a job. I learned it could be a job when I was in college. I joined a research program. It was for two years. I chose to study lizards. I fell in love with them! I could try to answer the questions I’d had as a kid, like: What do lizards eat? Where do they sleep? How do they communicate? I couldn’t believe people were doing research like this. They were doing this for a living. I learned conservation, such as protecting wildlife, takes a lot of work. I didn’t want to stop.

Once I catch one, I note its species and if it’s male or female. I measure it and collect other data. Then I compare that with information about the lizard’s habitat. I try to find out how their home is changing because of things like droughts or wildfires. That helps me understand the area where lizards live, how healthy the animals are, and the threats they face.

First I catch one. Then I note its species. I also note if it’s male or female. I measure it and collect other data. Then I compare that with information about the lizard’s habitat. I try to find out how their home is changing because of droughts. I also want to know how wildfires affect their homes. That helps me understand the area where lizards live. It also helps me understand how healthy the animals are and the threats they face.

I started a game on social media called #FindThatLizard. Every Wednesday, I post a photo of a lizard camouflaged in its habitat. The lizard blends in with its surroundings. To play the game, you have to try to find it. It can be hard! I know because this is something I do a lot.

I started a game on social media. It’s called #FindThatLizard. Every Wednesday, I post a photo. The photo is of a lizard. The lizard is camouflaged in its habitat. It blends in with its surroundings. To play the game, you have to try to find it. It can be hard! I know from my experience. Finding lizards is something I do a lot.

This game is a fun way to reach people all over the world and teach them about lizards. I also include fun lizard facts. For example, did you know that some lizards don’t lay eggs? They give birth to live babies. I hope when people learn how cool lizards are, they’ll start to care about them more. 

This game is a fun way to reach people around the world. It helps me teach them about lizards. I also include fun lizard facts. For example, some lizards don’t lay eggs. They give birth to live babies. I want people to learn how cool lizards are. I hope they’ll start to care about them more.

We need scientists of all types of backgrounds working in wildlife conservation. I worked as an adviser to college students interested in becoming scientists. I also started a program to introduce Black and Brown middle school girls to conservation careers. We taught them how to think like scientists and encouraged them to go outside and explore. That can be the first step to becoming a scientist. It was for me.

We need scientists of all types of backgrounds working in wildlife conservation. I worked as an adviser to college students. They were interested in becoming scientists. I also started a program for Black and Brown middle school girls. It showed them conservation careers. We taught them how to think like scientists. We encouraged them to go outside and explore. That can be the first step to becoming a scientist. It was for me.

I learned a lot at a math-and-science-focused high school. If you can, join science clubs and take several science classes, if they’re available. Be open to trying new things, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do. Take those opportunities and see where you go.

I learned a lot at my high school. It was focused on math and science. If you can, join science clubs. And take a lot of science classes, if they’re available. Be open to trying new things, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do. Take those opportunities and see where you go.