Yang, who joined the Bohart Museum nine years ago, coordinates museum tours, classroom visits, special weekend hours, summer camp programs, and other outreach activities that connect science and scientists with the public. She collaborates with interns, undergraduates, staff, graduate students and faculty to accomplish the outreach program.
Yang received a cash prize of $1000 as a “gesture of appreciation" for her contributions to the campus community, according to Stacey Brezing, chair of the UC Davis Staff Assembly Citations of Excellence Committee.
Nominations for the service award are based on achievements such as fostering engagement and inclusion in campus community, leadership, and volunteerism.
Yang was nominated, confidentially, by Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum and professor of entomology at UC Davis; senior museum scientist Steve Heydon of the Bohart Museum, and Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist for the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.
They wrote: “Our nominee is a treasure, a one-of-a-kind gem and an all-around ambassador who exemplifies all that is good and great about UC Davis. A friendly and caring person who joined the campus museum workforce in 2009, she makes all of us feel needed, wanted, and appreciated as if we were ‘Person of the Year.' Throughout the year, she engages more than 20,000 children, families, students, faculty and staff who visit the museum or attend her science outreach programs. She enthusiastically and freely gives of her time to plan and participate in weekend open houses. She co-founded the annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day six years ago, which this year drew 12 participating museums and an attendance of 3000. This year she chaired the committee."
“Five years ago, she launched an annual summer camp for children that is so popular it draws youths from around the nation, resulting in multiple camps and waiting lists. She helps coordinate the UC Davis Picnic Day activities in the museum, engaging more than 3500 excited and enthusiastic visitors. At the Solano County Ag Day, she shared scientific information with 3000 youngsters over a four-hour period, always smiling and genuinely interested in each person."
The nominees praised her exemplary service, high morale, encouragement, passion and inclusion and described the qualities as a treasure trove...she is kind, caring, thoughtful and never without a smile or a word of encouragement."
One volunteer at the museum said: "Wherever I go, her name is legendary. People just rave about her and her work." Said another: "She is one of the most patient, outgoing individuals I know who loves to teach and share information."
Said her supervisor: "She has greatly expanded our outreach programs, participating in Solano County Youth Ag Day, and many other STEM programs offered at libraries, schools and county facilities. She gives science outreach programs to about 15,000 adults and children every year. She is particularly good at working with groups of children and maintaining discipline at the same time as engaging them in the topic, so that everyone can see, hear and learn. We always request an evaluation from groups she talks to and they always rave about her presentations."
The Staff Assembly's annual Citations of Excellence Awards Program provides recognition for individual staff and staff teams who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in one of the following areas: teaching, research, service, supervision and innovation. There is also a team award for campus community contributions and service. Teams include project or program staff, office staff, or other similar groups. (Names of the 2017 recipients, along with photos, will be posted soon on the Staff Assembly website.)
The Bohart Museum is a world-renowned insect museum that houses a global collection of nearly eight million specimens. It also maintains a live “petting zoo,” featuring walking sticks, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and tarantulas. A gift shop, open year around, includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, jewelry, posters, insect-collecting equipment and insect-themed candy.
The Bohart Museum's regular hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The museum is closed to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on major holidays. Admission is free.
More information on the Bohart Museum or on group tours (a small fee is charged) is available by contacting (530) 752-0493 or bmuseum@ucdavis.edu.
Attached Images:
Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, shows butterfly specimens to a group of students. She received a Citation for Excellence from the UC Davis Staff Assembly for outstanding contributions. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bohart associates came out in force to honor Tabatha Yang, recipient of a Citation for Excellence. From left are Bohart associate Fran Keller of the Folsam Lake College faculty; Tabatha Yang; senior museum scientist Steve Heydon; and three Bohart associates Robbin Thorp, distinguished emeritus professor of entomology; naturalist and photographer Greg Kareofelas; and entomologist Tom Nguyen, who has just accepted a position at the Smithsonian. Not pictured: Lynn Kimsey, Bohart Museum director.