Eva Varga

Varga's "Alien Invaders" project teaches students about indigenous Pacific Northwest plant species and the threat exotic plants pose to native flora and fauna. Students participate in hands-on activities and research assignments as they identify and inventory plant populations on campus and in adjacent areas. Data is maintained in spreadsheets and published on the Web for use by other schools. Through the project, students take an ecosystem approach, recognizing how plants, animals, soil, water, and air are interrelated.