After our first meeting for this SURF project, I could sense Ciara was unsure about the direction of this work: telling stories not just about science, but of people’s experiences grappling with such research. For 10 weeks, she conducted background research on multiple scientific topics, thought on her feet to learn about her peers and their SURF projects, and engaged in the challenging process of shaping those narratives. These stories are the fruits of Ciara’s hard work, but are only the beginning of her journey into science communication. Enjoy the tales this exceptional student has crafted during the 2021 SURF program!