This episode’s guest is Dr. Darryl Boyd, a polymer chemist who works in the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Darryl grew up in Kalamazoo, MI where he graduated high school and eventually went to the University of Michigan for undergrad where he studied chemistry. He then went to Purdue University for his Masters for biochemistry, and then his PhD in inorganic chemistry. Darryl then went on to a postdoc at the Naval Research Laboratory where he was eventually hired as a federal employee.

Darryl runs the science blog Science Made Simple, where he writes about getting minority children interested in science and hosts the DrBoydTheChemist channel on YouTube where he demonstrates chemistry experiments aimed at children. We talked about his work at NRL, how his experiences growing up shaped his interest in science, as well as the focus of and his goals in science communication.

Growing up in STEM

Daryl credits his parents for his interest in STEM as he and his siblings were introduced to science at an early age. Kalamazoo was also home to several colleges, the largest was Western Michigan University.

While he was growing up, Daryl took part in a program led by Dr. Leroy Ray and Miss Sherry Fuller designed to encourage black elementary aged students in the sciences. Every Saturday during the school year, elementary aged children were picked up from their homes by a bus to head to Western Michigan’s campus to take part in science-based activities. Children were taught physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. During the summer, the children’s education continued. Dr. Ray owned a farm about 30 minutes outside the city where the children went to learn about agriculture, biology, and botany.

Daryl says that Dr. Ray’s program was incredibly successful in getting minority children like him interested in science. Unfortunately, the program is not defunct with Dr. Ray’s passing but Daryl hopes that someone will pick up where he left off and replicate this type of program across the US.

Science Communication

Daryl explains that he comes from a large family and many of his cousins are older than he is. When they introduced him to their children and that he had a PhD in chemistry, he saw the children’s eyes light up: seeing someone like them meant they too could do science. Daryl came up with the idea of creating a YouTube channel where he could do simple experiments that kids could do and also explain the science behind what was happening.

Daryl admits there are thousands of science videos out there but what distinguishes his channel from others is that he explains what is taking place; Daryl says he wants to do more than just show off a cool science demonstration.

Daryl hopes his blog and YouTube channel will show kids that anyone can do science and recognize its value and importance: Children don’t have to go into science to appreciate its beauty or that it is all around them.

You can follow Darryl on social media:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBoyd_Chemist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DrBoyd_TheChemist/
• Blog: https://www.drboydthechemist.com/