Butterfly Lab provides one of several unique undergraduate research opportunities at Edmonds College

Edmonds College will host Triton Visit Day on June 13, providing prospective students and community members a chance to explore its campus and educational programs. The event runs from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m.

and includes the Undergraduate Research Symposium, where students showcase their projects on cabbage white butterflies. Dr. Gwen Shlichta, a biology instructor at the college, leads research that examines the butterflies' adaptation to climate change. In 2022, Shlichta secured a $1. 6 million NSF grant to enhance student involvement in research and facilitate collaboration with the University of Washington.

The research focuses on how climate change influences the butterflies' growth rates and behaviors, which may serve as indicators for other pollinators. This initiative aims to improve community college students' retention in research fields and offers pathways to internships. Understanding the ecological impacts of climate change on these butterflies is crucial, as their survival could reflect broader environmental changes affecting pollination services. Triton Visit Day emphasizes the college's commitment to fostering student engagement in scientific research.