By Teresa Fang, Filmmaker
This is a documentary film produced for an international film festival during the Summer Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) in the summer of 2024. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the making of this film: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Carrie Alter, Kate Auger, Mello Harden, Heather Mallory, Michael Falvo, RBio, RPhys, RChem, SRIP directors and instructors, friends, and the filmmaker’s parents. Featuring Amy Sheck, Nikhil Vemuri, Anna Tringale, Skyler Qu, and George Cheng.
Earthy Proof is a short documentary that focuses on young people taking on a new kind of activism: innovative and impactful research. The film follows four student researchers from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, NC, as they tell their story of starting their research projects, their thoughts on promoting change through science, and where they are now or for the future.
Guided by their mentors and the Dean of Science, these students’ visions put them in the driver’s seat of the vehicle for change, channeling their energy and creativity into solving local and global challenges. They persevere to take care of the Earth, the climate, and their communities with contributions regardless how large or small.