Ashley's neuroscience lab course that she created was going well... until the COVID pandemic hit. As classes moved online, she had to come up with a creative solution to continue teaching neuroscience using hands on learning. Her solution taught her a lot about online learning, but also about the joys and challenges of sending her students live research subjects.

Ashley Juavinett is an Associate Teaching Professor at UC San Diego and science writer. She is also an organizer of SASSY.

This story was performed at the Stage Room for the June 11th, 2025 SASSY show. The theme was "Adaptation".

Hello ya'll. SASSY is creating a podcast channel where we can upload our recordings of live storytelling from scientists. We can't wait to share these stories with you! Subscribe if you want to get updates on our next shows and if you are a fan of hearing personal narratives.

Music was "Edgeworthia" by Chad Crouch, from Free Music Archive with license CC BY-NC.