Lab Out Loud podcast

44:59

As professor of Environmental Studies and Geosciences at Lawrence University, Marcia Bjornerud knows a lot about rocks. In her new book, Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks, Marcia emphasizes the connection between human experiences and the physical earth, encouraging everyone to learn from the dynamic landscape around us. Marcia joins us to tell us about Turning to Stone and how the book is mapped to her own life, provides suggestions for how schools can improve teaching geosciences, and explains why we are living in a golden age of geoscience. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2025/04/episode-284-turning-to-stone/…

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Fighting Wellness Scams with Science 48:28

25 weeks ago48:28

48:28

Ever feel lost in the world of wellness advice online? Our guest, Dr. Jonathan Stea, has a new book called "Mind the Science" that helps cut through the noise of the wellness industry, exposing pseudoscience and mental health misinformation. As a promoter of science communication, Dr. Stea seeks to empower people to make informed decisions about mental well-being. His new book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the real science behind mental health and protect themselves from misinformation lurking in healthcare, pop culture, and social media. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2024/11/episode-283-mind-the-science/…

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How to Teach Science with Humor 58:39

32 weeks ago58:39

58:39

Science comedy writer Sarah Rose Siskind has some ideas. We met Sarah at SXSWedu in the spring of 2024 where she delivered a keynote titled Science Comedy: Why it's a Thing and How to Do It. Of course we had to have her on the show. To open our 18th season, Sarah joins Lab Out Loud to share insights from her work with Hello SciCom, emphasize the link between humor and empathy, and give some tips for using comedy to communicate science in your classroom. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2024/09/episode-282-teach-science-with-humor/…

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Measure Locally, Think Globally with Vernier Sensors 34:36

1 year ago34:36

34:36

It's spring, and it's a great time to get students outside to do some science. Need some ideas? Science teacher Brian Kaestner (St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio) and Vernier Educational Technology Specialist Colleen McDaniel join us to discuss how they use Vernier sensors so students can locally measure the effects of climate change. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2024/05/episode-281-vernier-climate-change/…

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STEM Learning with the World's Simplest Camera 1:00:25

1 year ago1:00:25

1:00:25

Video version at: https://youtu.be/7zvYh4XvFVk In 2017, Sam Cornwell launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to make a pinhole camera called the Solarcan. Now a successful company with the same name, the Solarcan is a simple camera that takes extremely long time exposures capable of capturing the path of the sun. Sam joins us for this special video episode of Lab Out Loud to tell us how the Solarcan combines art and astronomy for the citizen scientist in all of us. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2024/03/episode-280-solarcam…

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How to Become a Scientific Illustrator 33:39

1 year ago33:39

33:39

Ella Marushchenko joins Lab Out Loud to discuss her job and her journey from a traditional art background to creating scientific illustrations. Stressing the need for artistic freedom in scientific visualization, Ella describes how she balances the collaborative process between artists and scientists as she translates complex concepts into visually appealing art. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2024/01/episode-279-scientific-illustrator/…

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Without Twitter, Where Will Scientists Find Community? 47:30

2 years ago47:30

47:30

In a recent survey, Nature asked scientists about their use of Twitter, and discovered that many decreased their use of the platform, and some have decided to leave it completely. To help understand this trend, we welcome bilingual science journalist Myriam Vidal Valero to the show. Myriam reminds us how many scientists need social media to connect, share their work, and build connections to help advance their careers. With the recent changes at Twitter, Myriam helps us navigate through the fragmentation of what's left in the landscape of social media for scientists that still want and need to collaborate online. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/10/episode-278-scientists-leaving-twitter/…

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We Can't Recycle our Way Out of This: The Hidden Cost of Cheap Technology 40:58

2 years ago40:58

40:58

To talk to us about the life cycle of our technology, we welcome Lucas Gutterman to the show. As the director of the Design to Last campaign with PIRG, the Public Interest Research Group, Lucas provides us with some insight and strategies on how we can advocate to make our devices last longer, and in turn save money and previous raw materials. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/08/episode-277-chromebook-churn/…

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This Comic Book Shares Secrets of Everyday Hidden Systems 42:29

2 years ago42:29

42:29

Artist Dan Nott joins Lab Out Loud to tell us about his new graphic nonfiction book called Hidden Systems. With the help of visual metaphors, Dan illustrates systems that we often take for granted, such as the internet, the electrical grid, and providing water. Hidden Systems reveals these difficult to understand and often hidden systems that we tend to care about most when they aren't working. Through his research and art, Dan also reveals their history, with sometimes uncomfortable truths about our past that are literally hardwired into our present. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/05/episode-276-hidden-systems…

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The Bald and the Beautiful: Tales from the Nest in Big Bear Valley 32:54

2 years ago32:54

32:54

Meet the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a group that maintains two solar powered webcams focused on Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, California. Executive Director Sandy Steers and Candee Roberts join us to share a little of Jackie and Shadow’s life while describing the continuous challenges that the eagles face. Listen to the show to learn how you can observe these eagles in your classroom for environmental awareness, appreciation and enjoyment. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/03/the-bald-and-the-beautiful-tales-from-the-nest-in-big-bear-valley…

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Revisiting the 1986 Teacher in Space Program 39:22

2 years ago39:22

39:22

Announced in 1984 by President Reagan as a way to boost science education, the Teacher in Space program invited teachers to apply to become the first citizen into space. Realizing that two teachers from Wisconsin were selected, we reached out to connect with one of them. From Tomah, Wisconsin, science teacher Larry Scheckel was a finalist in the program alongside Christa McAuliffe. Larry joins the show to describe the Teacher in Space application and selection process, tell us about the state of science education in the 80s, and relive the shared grief that he and other finalists experienced when the Challenger exploded. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2023/02/episode-274-teacher-in-space/…

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Help! My Physics Tutor is a Robot! 47:50

2 years ago47:50

47:50

Rhett Allain returns to Lab Out Loud for his 5th time to talk about ChatGPT, a novel artificial intelligence chat tool from OpenAI. In the last few months, Rhett has also been exploring how to use ChatGPT to see how it can solve physics homework, serve as a suitable teaching assistant and even write code. Rhett shares his experience as we think about the utility of emerging AI tools and how they might challenge educators to teach differently. Show notes: https://laboutloud.com/2023/01/episode-273-chatgpt/…

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A Closer Look at Snowflakes 30:45

2 years ago30:45

30:45

Thinking of snow? We first talked to Dr. Kenneth Libbrecht in 2006 when the US Postal Service began featuring his photographs of snowflakes on stamps. 16 years later, we wanted to find out what’s changed in snowflake science, so we invited him back to the show. Dr. Libbrecht joins us again to share new discoveries in snowflake science, describe how he became the snowflake expert for the movie Frozen, and discuss some tips on talking your own pictures of snowflakes. Show notes and snowflake photos at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/12/a-closer-look-at-snowflakes/…

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More Science and Technology Videos from Sloan Science and Film 28:50

2 years ago28:50

28:50

Sloan Science and Film is an online publication from the Museum of the Moving Image that examines the intersection of science and film. As curator of Science and Technology at the museum and the Executive Editor of scienceandfilm.org, Sonia Epstein returns to Lab Out Loud to discuss how Sloan films were used during the pandemic, how you can use the teacher’s guide with over 60 science-themed short films available to stream, and what you might find if you get a chance to visit the Museum of the Moving Image. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/11/episode-171-sloan-science-film/…

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Zombie Science Returns 24:44

3 years ago24:44

24:44

For the last decade, this episode on zombie neurobiology has been a seasonal favorite. Listen to Dr. Steven Schlozman describe how to use zombies to teach science. More show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/10/episode-270-zombie-science-returns/

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Did you get all of your School Supplies? 29:01

3 years ago29:01

29:01

Pencils. Notebooks. Glue sticks. Dry erase markers. Safety goggles. Tissues. As students returned to school this fall, they were asked to obtain numerous school supplies for their own use and sometimes for the entire classroom. When are school supplies necessary and when are they excessive? Dale and Brian discuss the topic of school supplies for all classrooms and particularly for the science classroom. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/09/episode-269-school-supplies/…

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A Message About the Future of the Show 13:46

3 years ago13:46

13:46

After 15 years, the Lab Out Loud podcast is changing. What does this mean? We are incredibly thankful for the support that NSTA has provided for the show, but after 15 years we are now looking for alternative funding to continue the show. We need your help! Learn how you can support Lab Out Loud as a listener or an advertiser. Will we still produce shows? Yes, that's our plan. But we may not be as regular as we have over the last 15 years. Thank You. Making this show has been an incredible pleasure. Thank you all so much for listening. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/?p=5663…

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Fostering Educational Stewardship 47:13

3 years ago47:13

47:13

Stephen Pompea joins the show to discuss how scientists can support science education in formal and informal settings. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/?p=5624

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Learn Chemistry with Ninjas in Games and Graphic Novels! 35:38

3 years ago35:38

35:38

Nathan Schreiber returns to the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about his newest project using a series of graphic novels designed to teach chemistry concepts. Building off of the popular game, Valence uses science ninjas in an action packed adventure that teaches foundational chemistry about what makes up the universe, how it’s measured, and how it’s transformed. Nathan joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss his games and graphic novels, describe how his characters can engage students in learning science, and share a sneak peak at his next project! Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/05/learning-chemistry-with-ninjas/…

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Bringing Untold Stories to the Surface 52:07

3 years ago52:07

52:07

The next guest on the Lab Out Loud podcast is National Geographic Explorer and storyteller Tara Roberts. For the last couple of years, Tara has been following a group of black scuba divers around the world as they search for and help document slave shipwrecks. These explorations to the ocean floor and within human journeys have been shared as rich stories through her "Into the Depths" podcast and as a cover feature in the March issue of National Geographic magazine. Tara joins Lab Out Loud to share her experiences as an Explorer, describe the importance of discovery through a different lens, and emphasize the significance of telling these stories. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/04/episode-265-tara-roberts-storytelling/…

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Addressing Alternative Conceptions when Teaching Science 46:27

3 years ago46:27

46:27

Our guest this week is Tim Hartelt from the Department of Biology Education at the University of Kassel in Germany. With colleagues Helge Martens and Nina Minkley, Tim recently co-authored a study investigating if science teachers were able to diagnose the alternative conceptions the may hold when teaching biology concepts. Tim joins us to discuss the study and its findings, how teachers might identify alternative conceptions, and explain how they might be connected to their own professional experiences and content knowledge. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/04/episode-264-alt-conceptions-teaching-science/…

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How to Cultivate the Next Generation of Science Teachers 50:41

3 years ago50:41

50:41

[ This episode is sponsored by Siemens STEM Day Possibility Grant Sweepstakes ] This week, the Lab Out Loud podcast welcomes Dr. Meenakshi Sharma to the show. From her unique perspective as a professor of science education who trains pre-service teachers, Dr. Sharma recently wrote an article detailing the characteristics of elementary teachers who effectively implement the Next Generation Science Standards. Dr. Sharma joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss these characteristics, explain how they are grounded in using real-world phenomena, and describe why this shift in science teacher training is so important. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/03/episode-263-characteristics-of-effective-science-teachers/…

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Reorganizing the Tree of Life #ScientistOutLoud 57:05

3 years ago57:05

57:05

In this installment of #ScientistOutLoud, the Lab Out Loud podcast welcomes research and teaching professor Prashant Sharma from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Using morphology and genomic data, Dr. Sharma and his lab recently challenged our understanding of arachnid classification, by adding horseshoe crabs to the same class as spiders and scorpions. Dr. Sharma joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to remind them how modern classification works, describe why his team believes horseshoe crabs should be classified as arachnids, and discuss how this work showcases the process of science. About The Guest: Dr. Prashant Sharma is the principal investigator of the Sharma Lab in the department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The lab’s research broadly addresses macroevolution of invertebrates through the lenses of phylogenetics, genomics, and comparative development, with emphasis on chelicerate arthropods (from sharmalabuw.org) Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/03/episode-262-horseshoe-crab-classification/…

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A New Digital First, Learning First Opportunity from NSTA 34:22

3 years ago34:22

34:22

Trish Shelton joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to highlight a new learning initiative from NSTA called the Professional Learning Unit (PLU). Designed as an asynchronous mini-course, a PLU is a bite-sized learning experience available on demand when a teacher, department or district needs it most. Listen to the show to hear more about this exciting new learning opportunity, and find out how you can participate in a PLU to help grow your practice. About The Guest Tricia is the NSTA Chief Learning Officer where she works to support educators and students across the county as they work to integrate contemporary research in science education into classroom teaching and learning (from NSTA Profile). Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/02/episode-261-nsta-plu/…

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Understanding and Accessing Scientific Research on Learning 59:44

3 years ago59:44

59:44

From the Learning Scientists podcast, cognitive psychologist Megan Sumeracki joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the science of learning. With a goal to make scientific research on learning more accessible, the Learning Scientists started as a Twitter account that has now grown to a popular podcast aimed at teachers, students and other educators. Megan joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to describe how scientists research learning, remind us about proper experimental design (and why it's important), and share how the Learning Scientists are helping to broadcast these discoveries. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/02/episode-260-the-learning-scientists/…

Lab Out Loud

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Using Art to Bring Science Out of the Lab 37:34

3 years ago37:34

37:34

For over a decade, the Bioart Scientific Image and Video Competition has provided an artistic vehicle for biological scientists to share their research beyond the confines of their lab and professional circles. Chris Curran, one of the Bioart judges, joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the Bioart competition, the intersection of art and science, and how teachers might use stunning visuals to inspire students and advance scientific literacy. About the Guest: Christine Perdan Curran is a professor of biological sciences at Northern Kentucky University and director of the NKU Neuroscience Program. She also represents the Society for Birth Defect Research & Prevention for the FASEB board, and serves as a judge for the FASEB Bioart competition. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/01/episode-259-bioart/…

Lab Out Loud

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The Growing Importance of Science Communication #ScientistOutLoud 53:33

3 years ago53:33

53:33

In this installment of the #ScientistOutLoud series, Dr. Carly Anne York joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the importance of science communication, how she generates enthusiasm for science and the scientific process, and her efforts in making science accessible for students and the public. About The Guest: Dr. Carly Anne York is biology professor who studies animal behavior, physiology and biomechanics at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. Dr. York is also a squid biologist, science communicator and co-owner of an animal sanctuary. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/?p=5465…

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Using Phenomena to Help Students Explain the World 42:23

3 years ago42:23

42:23

What are phenomena and how can science teachers use these events to engage students in science? Professor of Science Education Todd Campbell joins the Lab Out Loud Podcast to help start a series about using phenomena in science education. Listen now to hear about new strategies in how pre-service science educators are being prepared, where to start if you are beginning a journey to adopt NGSS, and how we can all use phenomena to help students explain the world around them. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/12/episode-257-using-phenomena/…

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Code Breaking, Spy Hunting and Other Stories of Women in STEM 27:59

3 years ago27:59

27:59

Laurie Wallmark returns to the Lab Out Loud podcast to share two new stories celebrating women in STEM: Code Breaker, Spy Hunter about Elizabeth Friedman and Numbers in Motion about Sophie Kowalevski. Laurie joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to share these fascinating stories while discussing the role of STEM in schools and the importance of exposing all kids to STEM learning opportunities. About the Guest Laurie Wallmark is a computer science teacher and award-winning children’s author featuring picture book biographies that recognize women in STEM. Her breakout book Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine (Creston Books) debuted in 2017 and was readily recognized with numerous awards. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/11/episode-256-women-in-stem/…

Lab Out Loud

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A Novel Discovery in Condor Reproduction #ScientistOutLoud 38:17

3 years ago38:17