Science and Survival in a REAL Minecraft Museum Build [COMPLETE SERIES] North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2026-09-22 | Science and Survival in a REAL Minecraft Museum Build [COMPLETE SERIES]
The Evolution of Environmental Education and Public Science Programs Through COVID and Beyond North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-29 | The Evolution of Environmental Education and Public Science Programs Through COVID and BeyondChris Goforth, Head, Citizen Science, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental education and nonformal science programs had to modify existing offerings quickly and create new opportunities for learning. As many traditional public programs return, there are lessons to be learned from the innovations and creativity that the pandemic necessitated. Chris will share her insights, visions for the future of programming and the unique and popular programs offered at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Prairie Ridge Ecostation. Learn how Prairie Ridge involved the public during, and now after, the pandemic lockdowns, and bring your questions and program strategies to share!
Virtual Trivia Tuesday September 26 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday September 19 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday September 12 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday June 20 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday August 22 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday August 15 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday August 8 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | Let's mingle and play trivia! Join Quizmaster Chris to compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday July 11 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-27 | It's Virtual Trivia Tuesday! Join Quizmaster Chris every Tuesday for this great opportunity to virtually mingle with friends, compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
Science Cafe: Invisibility with Greg Gbur North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-23 | SCIENCE CAFE: INVISIBILITY: THE HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF HOW NOT TO BE SEENOn the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7 pm, gather with other curious minds at this after-hours event for an informal presentation and conversation about current science topics with guest experts.Tonight’s PresentationIs it possible for something or someone to be made invisible? This question, which has intrigued authors of science fiction for over a century, has become a headline-grabbing topic of scientific research.Science writer and optical physicist Greg Gbur traces the science of invisibility from its sci-fi origins in the nineteenth-century writings of authors such as H. G. Wells and Fitz James O’Brien to modern stealth technology, invisibility cloaks, and metamaterials. He explores the history of invisibility and its science and technology connections, including the discovery of the electromagnetic spectrum, the development of the atomic model, and quantum theory. He shows how invisibility has moved from fiction to reality, and he questions the hidden paths that lie ahead for researchers.This is not only the story of invisibility but also the story of humankind’s understanding of the nature of light itself, and of the many fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced this knowledge.Tonight’s ExpertGregory J. Gbur is professor of physics and optical science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is the author of Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics, and he writes two blogs on horror fiction, physics, and nature. He lives in Charlotte, NC.
Science Cafe: Weird Tales of Spider Romance with Eleanor Spicer Rice North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-23 | On the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7 pm, gather with other curious minds at this after-hours event for an informal presentation and conversation about current science topics with guest experts.Tonight’s PresentationJoin us to talk about the sex lives of spiders in connection with our special exhibition, Spiders: Fear to Fascination! When your mate would rather eat you than greet you, creative courtship can ensue. Come hear Eleanor Spicer Rice (author of the book “Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Spiders”) share strange tales of spider sex, from sweet love songs to deadly somersaults.Tonight’s ExpertEleanor Spicer Rice, Ph.D. is an entomologist and science writer, as well as the author of seven books, including Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Spiders, Ants: Workers of the World, and her most recent middle grade, Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World, illustrated by Rob Wilson (Candlewick/MIT Press).As a scientist, she presented her award-winning research at conferences across the United States. As a communicator, she writes about science for popular audiences for many publications, including Our State Magazine and American Scientist. Her books have been featured in publications such as the New York Times’ Science Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, and more.She makes frequent television and radio appearances, and in addition to being a regular expert on the popular Discovery and Science Channel television show What on Earth, she has made guest appearances on multiple radio shows, including NPR’s Science Friday, CBC’s Quirks and Quarks, and is a “guest favorite” on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.She often speaks to children’s library groups and elementary classrooms, sharing her love of the natural world and of insects, in particular. she has written seven books, most recentlyAbout the ExhibitionDid you know spiders can swim, jump and even “fly” hundreds of miles? “Spiders: Fear to Fascination” spins an immersive tale, revealing how this incredibly diverse group of animals has evolved and survived for 300 million years. Through augmented reality and video projection technology, guests of all ages will encounter more than 250 real and preserved specimens (from the Trinidad chevron tarantula to the Australian golden huntsman).Get closer than ever to some of the more than 48,000 known spider species in this amazing interactive experience.Spiders: Fear to Fascination is open now through October 8, 2023, Tuesday–Sunday, 10AM–5PM (last entry at 4PM).
Lunchtime Discovery: Zombie House Flies and Invincible Cockroaches: Tales from the Unseen Jungle North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-22 | Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice, Entomologist and Science WriterAll around us and in us, tiny living forces secretly pull the strings that make the world run. Microbes are not only essential to making our own bodies run, they also impact our everyday worlds in sometimes sinister, sometimes delightful and always unexpected ways. Eleanor Spicer Rice will share some of these tales of microbial mind control, bacterial buddies and fungal friends from her new children's book, “Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World.”
Science Cafe: Afrofuturism with Darrell Stover North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-16 | JUNETEENTH TIME MACHINES, NATURE CONNECTIONS, AND THE TECHNOSCIENCE OF RUTH E. CARTER’S DESIGNS✨Tonight’s PresentationExplore the interconnectedness of freedom, science, nature, and the arts through the lens of Afrofuturism as the Science Café celebrates Juneteenth with scientist and poet Darrell Stover in collaboration with the NC Museum of Art.Afrofuturism is an interdisciplinary movement and aesthetic that re-imagines and empowers the Black experience across the globe often through themes of science, sci-fi, and technology.Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design, on view now through August 6, 2023, at the NC Museum of Art, highlights the work of the Academy Award-winning designer for films such as Amistad, Selma, and Black Panther. Carter’s attention to race, history, and politics, and inspiration from Africa’s natural and cultural diversity – from the use of indigo dyes to the “sacred geometry” of the Black Panther suit – provides vibrant examples of how Afrofuturism weaves together science, nature, history, and culture.🗣️Tonight’s ExpertDarrell Stover is a cultural historian, science communicator and performance poet with the DNA of a trickster. Currently, Darrell is the Head of the Science Museums Grant Program at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He also teaches courses at NC State University on Afrofuturism and Science, Technology and Society at NC State University.Darrell served as program director at both the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, NC and the North Carolina Humanities Council. He researched and produced “Run on Water,” a multimedia history project that examined the Black experience during the Civil War in coastal North Carolina and captures that wonderous moment of transition from enslavement to emancipation.
Lunchtime Discovery: Navigating the Waters of Marine and Estuarine Resource Management in NC North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-15 | Division of Marine Fisheries: Navigating the Waters of Marine and Estuarine Resource Management in North CarolinaLara Klibansky, Executive Assistant for Councils and Commissions, Division of Marine FisheriesThe North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the state's marine and estuarine resources, and that’s more than just fish! If you’ve ever been swimming at a North Carolina beach, eaten North Carolina oysters or enjoyed fishing on one of the state’s many artificial reefs then you’ve benefited from the work of the Division. Lara Klibansky will describe the people, science and services that go into ensuring safe and sustainable fisheries and habitats for all North Carolinians.
Lunchtime Discovery: The Truths and Myths of Recluse Spiders North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-14 | Matt Bertone, Director and diagnostic entomologist, NCSU Plant Disease and Insect ClinicRecluse spiders (Sicariidae: Loxosceles spp.) are among the most feared of all arthropods. While some of their infamy is justified, much of the information the public hears constitutes myths or inaccuracies. In this talk, Dr. Matt Bertone will introduce you to these arachnids, discuss the fascinating truths about them, and debunk the common myths surrounding these maligned spiders.
Lunchtime Discovery: Adventures in Astrobiology North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-14 | Space Case Sarah, Science Communicator, PhD Communications Candidate, University of North Dakota, Visiting Scholar Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Professional science communicator Sarah Treadwell will share with you her passion for astrobiology, which has taken her on epic adventures. She has traveled from the high desert of Utah as an analog astronaut at the Mars Desert Research Station, to the Lost City Hydrothermal Field in the middle of the Atlantic as a communicator on board the ocean core drilling research vessel, the JOIDES Resolution. Her love for adventure also translates into her personal life, taking her from an altitude of 17,500 ft. at Mount Everest Base Camp to 95 feet underwater while scuba diving. All the while she is driven by a love of space science and communicating with others the grand beauty and mystery of our universe.
Lunchtime Discovery: Museum Untold - Secrets of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-14 | Chris Smith, Coordinator of Current Science Programs, NC Museum of Natural SciencesYou’ll never see a science museum the same way again. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is full of stories, and the dioramas are full of details that even staff easily overlook. What’s buried under the floor in the dinosaur exhibit? What is the most colorful exhibit in the Museum? Where did those whale skeletons come from? Museum educator Chris Smith (that’s right, the host of the Lunchtime Discovery Series — guess they couldn’t find anyone else) will be your guide to the secrets of the Museum.
Lunchtime Discovery: Wasps and Bees and Their Look-a-likes in a Piedmont Urban Setting North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-08 | Diaphanous Days: A Look at Some Wasps and Bees and Their Look-a-likes in a Piedmont Urban SettingJohn A. Gerwin, Research Curator and Educator, Ornithology, NC Museum of Natural SciencesNorth Carolina is home to many species of wasps, bees and their mimics, which perform significant pollination duties. With a little effort in the garden one can attract and enjoy quite a variety of these species. In this presentation John will showcase many species from his own Piedmont yard and discuss some of their natural histories, along with some of his favorite native plants. He has also invited his colleague Gabriela Garrison to explain a new North Carolina Bee Atlas survey, a project that invites the public to participate in observation and data collection.
Special Exhibition: Spiders: Fear to Fascination, Opening June 17 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-05 | Encounter more than 250 real & preserved specimens at "Spiders: Fear to Fascination." Opening Saturday, June 17 in downtown Raleigh. Tickets on sale now: bit.ly/42pceWHThis immersive special exhibition combines augmented reality and video projection technology to bring you closer than ever before to amazing arachnids from around the globe!
Expedition Live: Paleontology Update from New Mexico Dinosaur Quarry North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-03 | ...
Lunchtime Discovery: Exploring North Carolinas Remote Places with Jeremy Markovich North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-06-01 | Book Your Ticket for the Chapel Hill Ferry...Exploring North Carolina's Remote Places with Jeremy Markovich Jeremy Markovich is a longtime journalist, writer, producer and podcast host in North Carolina, who's traveled from one side of this state to the other in search of weird and wonderful stories. Along the way, he's won two regional Emmy awards, and his work has been featured in the Best American Sports Writing. He now works at Wake Forest University, writes the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter and hosts a podcast: "Away Message." He lives near Greensboro with his wife and two children, and used to get more sleep than he does now. Join Jeremy as he takes you on a ride to fun and fascinating places both near and far.
The Eye of Sauron: How it was made at NCMNS North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-30 | "Then at last his gaze was held: wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, black tower of adamant, he saw it: Barad-dûr, Fortress of Sauron. All hope left him." —The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Breaking of the Fellowship"Barad-dûr, the evil tower of Mordor from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series served as a fortress for the main antagonist, Sauron. At its top sat a fiery red eye that surveyed the land (aka the "Eye of Sauron").Follow along with Matthew Faerber, manager of the Visual World Investigate Lab at NCMNS Nature Research Center, as he takes you behind the scenes and explains how a 12 foot animated model of Barad-dûr was designed and built over the course of a few months. This imposing model was built for a special adult-only event called "Social in the Shire", which was held Feb 24, 2023 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The event featured interactive science stations, music, games, local entertainment and special activities.Event Page: naturalsciences.org/calendar/event/adult-nights-social-in-the-shire-------------------------------------------------------Special thanks to Audrey McNeely, Lucius Cyrus, Greg Skupien, Chris Smith, Eileen Tan, Katie Cupp, Hugo Sanchez, Abigail Lewis and Nancy Locquet.Music by Scott Buckley. Music from Scott Buckly is Royalty free under CC BY 4.0#mordor #lordoftherings #lotr #hobbit #sauron #tolkien #cardboard #model #maker #stem #museum
Lunchtime Discovery: OCEARCH - Expedition Northbound and White Sharks of the Atlantic North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-25 | with Chris Fischer, OCEARCH Founder and Expedition LeaderOCEARCH recently embarked on Expedition Northbound, its 45th ocean research expedition to learn more about Western North Atlantic white sharks as they begin to leave the Carolinas region and transition north for the summer. Data shows that prior to their spring migration north, many white sharks use the productive continental shelf waters around the Outer Banks, North Carolina region as an overwintering and spring staging area before heading north for the summer.Prior to this expedition, OCEARCH’s dedicated and collaborative team successfully tagged 88 white sharks throughout the western North Atlantic, collecting data for over 24 science projects that enabled them to put together the pieces of the life history puzzle of the white shark in the region. Join Chris Fischer as he discusses Expedition Northbound and the Western North Atlantic white shark.
Science Cafe: 50+ Years Since Apollo 17 Left the Moon and Why We Should Go Back to Stay North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-19 | TONIGHT’S PRESENTATIONHumans last walked on the Moon in December, 1972. Our nation is on the verge of the third attempt to return there since Apollo. Why is the third time the charm?Join Dr. Clive Neal as he explores what we can learn from the history of lunar exploration. He will highlight the very different political and commercial environment enabling a human return now, and investigate the intricacies of making this return “sustainable.” To be sustainable, human space exploration must demonstrate an investment in the future of the United States – by sending humans into space, we make life better on Earth. Come learn how returning to the Moon could the Moon could propel humans to become multi-planetary species and provide significant benefits for society.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Clive R. Neal, Professor of Planetary Geology in the Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame.Dr. Clive Neal is passionate about NASA and in returning humans to the Moon and beyond in a sustainable, economically beneficial and permanent way.Dr. Neal obtained his PhD in geochemistry and petrology in 1986 from the University of Leeds, UK. He started working with Apollo lunar samples as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and has been involved in the study of the Moon ever since. He has served on numerous mission and research review panels, including as the Chair of the Lunar Sample Allocation subcommittee from 2005 to 2009. He was a member of the Senior Review panel for NASA’s Planetary Science Division in 2012, and chaired that panel in 2014.Dr. Neal was the chair of NASA’s Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) from 2006 to 2010, where he led a community effort to develop the Lunar Exploration Roadmap, and again from 2015 to 2018, when he formed the LEAG Commercial Advisory Board. In 2015, he received the NASA Wargo Award for contributions to the integration of exploration and planetary science throughout his career.Dr. Neal is currently a member of the National Academies Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science and has helped in the training of future NASA astronauts. In 2021, he received the LEAG Service Award, which recognizes a member of the lunar science and exploration community who has exhibited exemplary service to that community.
Lunchtime Discovery: Reconnecting with our rivers: Development of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-18 | Luke Etchison, Western Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, NC Wildlife Resources CommissionThe Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail is an innovative education project that will link together a set of publicly accessible river sites where people can safely snorkel to experience the underwater world of streams and rivers of western North Carolina. Luke Etchison will share information about the development of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail and about some of the river critters you can enjoy while river snorkeling.
Expedition Live: Paleontology Update from Montana Dig Site North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-17 | ...
Expedition Live: Paleontology Update from Utah Dig Site North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-17 | ...
Expedition Live: Paleontology Update from Utah Dinosaur Quarry North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-17 | ...
Lunchtime Discovery: Whole Lotta Shaking Going On! with Dr. Wendy Bohon North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-11 | We all know that places like California have earthquakes, but do you know why? And did you know that the most widely felt earthquake in the history of the US occurred not in California, but in VIRGINIA? In this seminar earthquake geologist Dr. Wendy Bohon will explain the science of earthquakes and will talk specifically about east coast earthquakes – why they happen, how often they occur, and why they’re felt over such long distances.Dr. Wendy Bohon, Geologist and Science Communicator Wendy is the owner and operator of the Science Communication consulting company, Dr. Wendy Rocks, LLC. In the past, she has worked as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, the Senior Science Communication Specialist for the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, and the Strategic Communication Specialist for the Earth Science Division at NASA Goddard.
Old News Ep. 37: Blink and Youll Miss It! North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-10 | Join us to learn more about the evolution of blinking! Paleontologists have studied a creature called the mudskipper to gain insight about when, why, and how animals on Earth began to blink. Stick around for the end of the episode to see the winners of this year's Old Newsies Awards!Old News occurs once a month, September through May. You can register for this series to receive reminder emails and additional resources: bit.ly/3cXiMrk
Oceans 3D: Our Blue Planet: Coming Soon! North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-04 | Premieres at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences May 27, 2023.naturalsciences.org/3dmovies“Oceans: Our Blue Planet” takes us on a global odyssey to discover the largest and least-explored habitat on Earth. New ocean technology has allowed us to delve further into the unknown than we ever thought possible.Beginning our journey in the warm coastal shallows, we meet surfing dolphins, and an ingenious tusk fish that uses a tool to crack-open its food. In the great forests of the sea, we find a cunning octopus who shields herself in an armory of shells to hide from predators.As we journey through our oceans, we share these extraordinary discoveries and uncover a spectacular world of life beneath the waves.
FUNGI: The Web of Life 3D North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-04 | Premieres at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in 2D May 27, 2023. Available in 3D this July.naturalsciences.org/3dmoviesMuch of life on Earth is connected by a vast, hidden network that we are only just beginning to understand. Out of sight, between the world of plants and animals, another world exists — the kingdom of fungi. | Narrated by Björk.
Lunchtime Discovery: If You “Build” It, They Will Come North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-05-04 | If You “Build” It, They Will Come: Ocean Plastic Debris is Being Colonized by Coastal SpeciesMegan I. McCuller, Collections Manager, Non-molluscan Invertebrates, North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesMarine biologists have long believed that coastal marine invertebrates are incapable of surviving in the open ocean for a lengthy period of time due to their relatively low productivity. However, studies of Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris washed ashore on the US West coast and plastic collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch show that coastal species can not only survive a multi-year trek across the Pacific, but also now appear to have established reproducing populations on floating debris. These findings suggest that what had historically limited coastal species in the open ocean may have been a lack of permanent non-biodegradable substrate, which is now plentiful and increasing in the form of a wide variety of plastic products.
Lunchtime Discovery: 2023: North Carolina Year of the Trail North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-27 | Guest SpeakerPalmer McIntyre, Director, NC Year of the Trail and Coordinator, NC Great Trails State Coalition
The Chemistry of What We Buy: Is Natural Better? North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-25 | The Chemistry of What We Buy: Is "Natural" Better?"presented by Dr. Erin Baker, Associate Professor of Chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill.Dr. Baker will shed light on both conspicuous and inconspicuous chemicals and how they may affect our health.TSC/042123/MG
Lunchtime Discovery: There’s a Lot to See Here: An Introduction to Western North Carolina Geology North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-20 | Guest SpeakerBart Cattanach, Senior Geologist, NC Geological Survey, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Lunchtime Discovery: Saving the Eno: Margaret Nygard and the Eno River Association North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-13 | A reading and discussion with Author Julie ThompsonGuest SpeakersJulie Thomson, Environmental Educator and NaturalistKim Livingston, Director of Conservation and Stewardship, Eno River Association
Old News Ep. 36: The Hidden Eyes North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-11 | Old News occurs once a month, September through May. You can register for this series to receive reminder emails and additional resources: bit.ly/3cXiMrk
Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains Conversation with the Author- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-04-05 | Join us for a special conversation between Bethany Brookshire, author of the new book “Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains," and Museum mammalogist, Dr. Mike Cove. They will discuss why we deem certain animals “pests” and others not — from cats to rats, elephants to pigeons —and what this tells us about our own perceptions, beliefs, and actions, as well as our place in the natural world. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but seating is limited in the WRAL 3D Theater.Copies of Pests will be available for purchase and signing from Quail Ridge Books.About the BookAt the intersection of science, history, and narrative journalism, “Pests” is not a simple call to look closer at our urban ecosystem. It’s not a natural history of the animals we hate. Instead, this book is about us. It’s about what calling an animal a pest says about people, how we live and what we want. It’s a story about human nature, and how we categorize the animals in our midst, including bears and coyotes, sparrows and snakes. Pet or pest? In many cases, it’s entirely a question of perspective.Bethany Brookshire’s deeply researched and entirely entertaining book will show readers what there is to venerate in vermin, and help them appreciate how these animals have clawed their way to success as we did everything we could to ensure their failure. In the process, we will learn how the pests that annoy us tell us far more about humanity than they do about the animals themselves.About Our GuestsBethany Brookshire, PhD, is a freelance science journalist and the author of the December 2022 book, “Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains.” She is also a host and producer on the podcast “Science for the People.” She is a former staff writer with Science News magazine and Science News for Students, a digital magazine covering the latest in scientific research for kids ages 9–14. Her freelance writing has appeared in Scientific American, Science News magazine, Science News Explores, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, Slate and other outlets. Bethany has a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She was a 2019-2020 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT.Mike Cove, PhD, is an applied conservation ecologist and mammalogist. His research approach uses traditional methods and museum collections, as well as current noninvasive survey techniques and statistical modeling procedures, to study population and community ecology both locally and internationally. His research interests are mainly focused on the conservation of mammal communities, but also mesopredator release and trophic cascades, the urban/suburban wildlife interface, species invasions, disease ecology and animal microbiomes, and human dimensions of conservation and sustainable development in the tropics.
Lunchtime Discovery: Get the Dirt on Forensic Geology at the NC Geological Survey North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-29 | Dr. Heather Hanna, Geologist, North Carolina Geological Survey, Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality When people think of forensic science, geology might not be the first discipline that comes to mind. However, the North Carolina Geological Survey has worked with law enforcement over the years to help shed light on homicide investigations. Join Dr. Heather Hanna, professional geologist, to find out how geological survey scientists have assisted with some of these cases.
Lunchtime Discovery: The Search for Life Beyond Earth North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-22 | Dr. Rachel L. Smith, Head, Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab, North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesAstronomer Dr. Rachel Smith will use new software called OpenSpace to take you on a virtual tour from Earth to our neighboring planets, and far beyond the solar system. As we fly through space, Dr. Smith will discuss the search for life beyond Earth and planetary analogues to Earth’s extreme environments. She will discuss her recent observations of forming stars using NASA’s infrared Telescope Facility on Maunakea, Hawaii and explain how scientists visualize the known Universe using data from planetary probes, satellites and telescopes.
Science Cafe: Radical by Nature Book Talk with Dr. James Costa North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-17 | Join host Chris Smith and special guests for the Science Cafe! This month’s guest is Dr. Jim Costa, the Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station. We’ll get a sneak peek of his latest book coming out March 21: “Radical by Nature: The Revolutionary Life of Alfred Russel Wallace,” and have plenty of time for discussion with the audience.Copies of the book will be available from So & So Books for purchase and signing.Nineteenth-century poet Walt Whitman declared in Song of Myself that he “contained multitudes,” a largeness of spirit, perspectives, beliefs, and interests so expansive that there was room within even for contradictions. He may well have been singing of his contemporary Alfred Russel Wallace. Perhaps the most famed naturalist of the Victorian age by the end of his long life in 1913, Wallace’s expeditions to remote Amazonia and southeast Asia became the stuff of legend: a collector of thousands of species new to science, he shared in the discovery of natural selection with Darwin and founded the field of evolutionary biogeography.Yet Wallace also courted controversy with nonscientific pursuits from spiritualism to socialism, becoming the archetypal socially engaged scientist tirelessly campaigning for land and labor reform, women’s rights and more. Jim Costa celebrates the complex and “multitudinous” Wallace in “Radical by Nature,” his new biography to mark the Wallace bicentennial. At 200, Alfred Russel Wallace continues to inspire and instruct.Our SpeakerDr. James (Jim) Costa is Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station and Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University, where he teaches biogeography, Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” and a temperate-tropical ecology field course. A naturalist, evolutionary biologist, and Wallace and Darwin scholar, Jim is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, Trustee of the Charles Darwin Trust, and has held fellowships at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden, and the DFG Centre for Advanced Study in Hamburg, Germany. Jim’s books include “The Annotated Origin,” “Wallace, Darwin, and the Origin of Species,” and “Darwin’s Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory.” His latest book, “Radical by Nature: The Revolutionary Life of Alfred Russel Wallace” (Princeton University Press) is his homage to Wallace, marking the bicentennial year of the birth of the incomparable explorer, naturalist, and humanitarian.
Lunchtime Discovery: A Look Behind the Camera: Covering Climate Change on Broadcast Television North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-15 | Elisa Raffa, Meteorologist and Climate Specialist at Queen City News/ FOX Charlotte, STEM Experience Specialist at Discovery Place ScienceElisa Raffa is a broadcast meteorologist and climate specialist at Queen City News/ FOX Charlotte. With a passion for communicating climate change, she’s earned national and international recognition for using everything from beer, chocolate, snow shovels and vultures to help viewers relate to the climate crisis. When she’s not on-air, you’ll find her at Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte. As a STEM specialist on staff, she writes lessons and tests hands-on activities in weather and climate science for kids of all ages. While climate communication and education are her biggest passions and drivers in her career, they don’t come without challenges. Come chat about how gender and politics play into navigating misinformation on-air, and how a small role on museum staff can make the biggest difference in our future.
Old News Ep. 35: The Ankylosaurs Song North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-14 | Old News occurs once a month, September through May. You can register for this series to receive reminder emails and additional resources: bit.ly/3cXiMrk
Lunchtime Discovery: Pipe Dreams: Life as an Aquatic Veterinarian North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-08 | Ashley Emanuele, Owner/Chief Medical Officer, Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary ServiceVeterinary medicine is an incredibly wide field — if it crawls, flies, hops or even swims, it probably has a specialized veterinarian dedicated to its care. Dr. Ashley Emanuele is North Carolina's first Certified Aquatic Veterinarian, and has been working with aquatic animals in some capacity for almost her whole life. Her practice, Oak City Aquatics, is the first aquatics-exclusive mobile practice in the state. Join Dr. Emanuele as she discusses her path to become an aquatic veterinarian, a day in the life (on the road and in the water!) and introduces a few of her favorite patients.
Teen Science Cafe: Our Neighbor, The Moon North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-04 | The Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon, has some unusual properties when compared to other moons in the Solar System. Join us as Dr. Patrick Treuthardt discusses some obvious and more obscured lunar features, as well as mysteries still being investigated.About our speakerDr. Patrick Treuthardt is the Assistant Head of the Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. His research is focused on understanding the evolution of nearby galaxies through the study of their different forms, structures, and dynamics.
Lunchtime Discovery: Inclusive in Nature North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-03-01 | Liani Yirka, Education Program Coordinator, Sarah P. Duke GardensApproximately 20% of the United States population identifies as living with a disability. Because of the way environmental education centers and outdoor spaces are designed, people with disabilities often face barriers in environmental settings or when engaging in environmental programming or education. Liani Yirka is an environmental educator and an advocate for access and inclusion in the outdoors, and seeks to create a welcoming space for all communities and audiences. Using universal design principles for learning and thinking creatively on how to remove barriers will help the field of environmental education become more inclusive and accessible, and will welcome more people to explore and engage in the natural world.
Lunchtime Discovery: Civil Rights Placemaking in North Carolina North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-02-22 | Adrienne NirdéAssociate Director, NC African American Heritage CommissionFor generations, people in North Carolina have used spaces and places to organize, strategize and protest to advance the civil rights of people of color, especially African Americans. It is here that young people — from Raleigh to Durham, from Elizabeth City to Greensboro — were activated to protest racial injustice. It is here where everyday people from Rocky Mount, to Robeson and Halifax Counties resisted oppression and intimidation. Leaders like Dovey Roundtree, Pauli Murray and Golden Frinks called our state home. The NC African American Heritage Commission is joining communities across the state to physically mark sites critical to the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. Join us to learn more about this history and how your community can become involved.
Science Cafe: Shipwreck Microbes with Dr. Erin Field North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2023-02-17 | Dr. Erin Field, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North CarolinaEver wonder what happens after a ship sinks? The North Carolina coastline has thousands of shipwrecks in the area known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” many of which hold a world of wonder and are home to a diverse ecological community for which microbes are the foundation.Join host Chris Smith and Dr. Erin Field from East Carolina University for the Science Cafe! Dr. Field will discuss the microbes that call these wrecks home, the role microbes play in both the deterioration and protection of shipwrecks, and how this information can be used for long-term preservation. She will also explore how these wrecks can become artificial reefs and an ecological anchor over time, influencing the surrounding environment. Join us as we learn about these invisible organisms that live on shipwrecks and the deep impact they have on the marine ecosystem and the fate of these vessels.
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