Physics professor Jason Nordhaus is working to reduce barriers to STEM for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, who face numerous barriers when trying to study technical STEM fields like physics. Physicists like Nordhaus are trying to change all that with specialized programs, classes and interpreter training, all aimed at reducing barriers in STEM.

Fermilab’s Asian and Pacific American community is one of a number of lab resource groups that strive to promote diversity and inclusion. Fermilab scientist Bo Jayatilaka and engineer Yun He talk about this community and what it means to foster an inclusive and diverse environment.

From NCTV17, April 23, 2019: The particle physics laboratory is better known for research than ranching, but Fermilab’s bison are an attraction for visitors every summer. And they serve as an important symbol for the site.

From Science Channel’s Space’s Deepest Secrets, April 23, 2019: In an episode of this television series, Fermilab scientist Craig Hogan discusses the Holometer and his theories of the holographic universe.

On April 17, Fermilab hosted its 12th STEM Career Expo. Roughly 1,000 high school students, parents and educators attended the event, where they had the opportunity to meet more than 150 STEM professionals from nearly 40 companies, professional associations and research centers.

Building a particle physics laboratory requires more than physicists. Fermilab archivist Valerie Higgins has authored a paper available in the online physics repository arXiv, and earlier this month she published an op-ed for Physics World on the importance of capturing perspectives from all parts of the laboratory. She sat down with Symmetry writer Lauren Biron to discuss her thoughts.

From the Chicago Tribune, April 23, 2019: Over the weekend, the first baby bison of the spring was born to the herd at Fermilab. Fermilab may be known for its cutting-edge scientific work, but its first director, Robert Wilson, always wanted to be reminded of his home in Wyoming where he lived before moving to Batavia, and so he brought bison with him.

From WBBM Newsradio, April 23, 2019: A baby bison was born Saturday at Fermilab — the first baby born this year. Fermilab expects between 12 and 14 new calves this spring. The new baby, and its mother, are doing well.

From Physics World, April 23, 2019: Fermilab Archivist Valerie Higgins discusses how the contributions of support staff should not be forgotten when it comes to celebrating scientific breakthroughs. Modern scientific research is often conducted through large organizational structures and thousands of participants. For archivists and others interested in the history of scientific research, developing a complete picture requires an understanding not only of the work that scientists and technical staff do but also the contributions of support staff too.

Can a theory that isn’t completely testable still be useful to physics? What determines if an idea is legitimately scientific or not? This question has been debated by philosophers and historians of science, working scientists, and lawyers in courts of law. That’s because it’s not merely an abstract notion: What makes something scientific or not determines if it should be taught in classrooms or supported by government grant money.