Welcome to an exciting journey through the world of science and museums! Today, we’re diving into some fascinating questions and discoveries that highlight the wonders of our universe and the role of museums in preserving knowledge. Let’s explore these intriguing topics together.
Did you know that some organisms can survive the harsh conditions of space? In 2008, scientists from the European Space Agency conducted an experiment by attaching samples of orange sunburst lichen to the exterior of the International Space Station. These lichens were exposed to intense solar UV radiation, cosmic rays, and the vacuum of space for over 18 months. Remarkably, when they returned to Earth, they continued to grow! This resilience is due to their ability to enter a dormant state, protecting their cells from damage. Lichens join the ranks of tardigrades and brine shrimp as champions of survival in extreme environments.
Have you ever wondered what lies behind the scenes in museums? At The Field Museum, there are over 27 million objects and specimens, yet less than 1% are on display. Museums have permanent exhibits, like diorama halls and dinosaur displays, but most specimens are reserved for research. Some items are too fragile or not visually appealing for public viewing, while others are rotated to prevent damage. The primary purpose of these collections is to support scientific research, offering invaluable insights into our natural world.
Art is a powerful tool for communication, and those with art degrees use their skills daily. Art school teaches individuals to convey narratives and concepts through imagery, color, and design. These visual stories can be translated into other forms of communication, like using language to share information. The ability to tell stories is a valuable skill in any field, including science.
Imagine retracing the steps of historic expeditions to see how ecosystems have changed over the past century. Scientists from the past not only collected specimens but also documented their surroundings with photographs. Comparing these images to today’s landscapes can provide valuable insights into environmental changes. One exciting destination for such an expedition could be Madagascar, with its unique biodiversity.
While the existence of Bigfoot is unlikely and aliens are more plausible, both represent the thrill of discovery. Our planet is full of life forms we have yet to understand, and the idea of untold discoveries is captivating. Even if humans are the most complex life forms in the universe, the potential for new findings keeps the spirit of exploration alive.
Have you ever had a bizarre dream involving your work? One such dream involved a museum being attacked by dragons from a video game. The dreamer, driven by scientific curiosity, wanted to dissect the dragon to determine if it was a diapsid or a synapsid. This playful scenario highlights the endless curiosity that fuels scientific exploration.
Scientific research is a never-ending journey. There will never be a moment when we know everything. Each discovery is a stepping stone in our quest to understand the world. While not every researcher will make monumental contributions, their work is part of a long legacy of discovery. The true impact of their efforts may not be realized for centuries.
Natural history museums are becoming increasingly important as habitats shrink and species decline. These institutions preserve remnants of the past, offering insights into our changing world. Although natural history collections have only existed for about 200 years, they play a crucial role in documenting the physical world and will continue to be valuable resources for future generations.
At The Brain Scoop, the goal is to share the stories and work of scientists with a broad audience. Collaborating with researchers, the team creates episodes on various topics, from Dimetrodon locomotion to the intriguing concept of “death rocks.” By bringing these stories to life, they help bridge the gap between science and the public, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our world.
We hope you enjoyed this exploration of science and museums. Remember, the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong adventure, and there’s always more to discover!
Conduct a small experiment to understand the resilience of lichens. Collect samples of lichen and expose them to different environmental conditions, such as varying levels of light, moisture, and temperature. Document their growth and survival over a few weeks. This will give you a hands-on understanding of how lichens can survive extreme conditions, similar to those in space.
Organize a virtual or in-person tour of a local museum’s storage and research facilities. Pay attention to how museums preserve and catalog their collections. Reflect on the importance of these hidden treasures in supporting scientific research and how they contribute to our understanding of the natural world.
Use your artistic skills to create a visual storytelling project that communicates a scientific concept or discovery. You can use digital tools or traditional media to design a series of images or a short video. Share your project with classmates to practice conveying complex ideas through art and storytelling.
Choose a historic scientific expedition and research its findings. Compare the documented observations and photographs from the past with current data and images of the same location. Present your findings in a report or presentation, highlighting changes in the ecosystem and discussing the implications for environmental science.
Engage in a friendly debate with your peers about the existence of Bigfoot and aliens. Use scientific reasoning and evidence to support your arguments. This activity will help you develop critical thinking skills and understand the importance of evidence-based research in scientific exploration.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hey, I’m hanging out in a lab in the fish collection. We just filmed an episode here, and now we’re going to film another one. Guess what it is? It’s Ask Emily! Spoiler alert: you already read the title. Okay, here we go!
Hannah Schwab, @SchwabDuckling, asked: In 2008, scientists from the European Space Agency attached some samples of the orange sunburst lichen to the outside of the International Space Station and exposed it to solar UV radiation, cosmic rays, and the vacuum of space. Once the lichen arrived back on Earth, more than 18 months later, researchers discovered that the lichen kept on growing. That’s because some lichens can enter a complete state of dormancy to prevent their cells from breaking down and dying off. Enduring such a space exposure marathon puts those lichens right up there with tardigrades and brine shrimp as top contenders for survival in extreme conditions.
Kevin T. Houle, @KevinTHoule, asked: The Field Museum has more than 27 million objects and specimens, and honestly, less than 1% end up on display. Big institutions like The Field Museum have a few different things going on when it comes to exhibits. We’ve got permanent exhibits, like our diorama halls and the evolving planet exhibit, featuring dinosaurs and more. Most specimens in these permanent halls are, in general, permanent. Specimens are removed from display when a researcher comes to study them or sometimes when we like to feature one on The Brain Scoop. In some cases, like with our new permanent hall on China, certain objects and artifacts will need to be changed out every few years to prevent damage from exposure to light and air. But the reality is that most objects will never make it on display—some because they’re too fragile, some because they are not considered ‘aesthetically pleasing,’ but mostly because the majority of the specimens collected over the last hundred years were never destined for display. Their ultimate purpose is to be used in research.
Voronyzimoy asked: I use my art degree every day! Art school teaches you how to communicate and share narratives and concepts using imagery, color, and design. Those are visual stories. Now I just use the English language to share information and throw in an odd assortment of noises when appropriate.
Never-seen-a-nevergreen asked: I don’t think there’s any particular specimen or species I would go searching for, but I do think it would be fantastic to recreate historic expeditions, like visiting the same regions and ecosystems that naturalists and biologists from a hundred years ago researched, to see how things have changed over the last century. In some cases, the scientists on those trips brought back not only specimens but also photographs of where the plant or animal was collected. Imagine comparing that to what the landscape looks like today. Besides that, Madagascar might be pretty cool.
Holyhuckleberry asked: I am totally okay with entertaining the thought of both because even if Bigfoot exists, which is unlikely, or aliens, which is vastly more likely, there is still so much life on our planet that we have no clue about. Bigfoot and aliens are like the ultimate symbol for untold discovery. And anyway, how boring would it be if it turns out that human life is the most complex in the universe?
Rollingwithmyohms asked: While I’ve never had a dream about a bazaar, I have had bizarre dreams that involve the museum getting attacked by dragons from a video game, and then I start dissecting the dragon because I want to know if it’s a diapsid or a synapsid. I honestly have a theory that they’re actually basal synapsids, but more on that later.
Amutheemu asked: The great thing about scientific research is that there’s no finality to it. We’ll never reach a point where we’ve figured everything out. There’s literally no moment where somebody stands up, hangs up their proverbial lab coat, and says, “Well, we’re done, we know everything.” New discoveries and advancements are stepping stones as we map out our world in all of its complexities. Not every researcher is going to have monumental contributions to the world at large, but that shouldn’t be your ultimate motivation for pursuing a career in science. Instead, I’d encourage you to think of your contributions to science as part of a long legacy of discovery and realize that we might not know the extent of your impact until hundreds of years from now.
14crobison asked: The wonderful thing about natural history museums is that their importance increases over time. As habitats shrink and more species decline in numbers, natural history museums will be the only place to see remnants of what used to be and to learn about the world as it continues to change physically and environmentally. Think about it—natural history collections as institutions really only go back about 200 years. The world has changed a lot in the last two centuries, and it’s destined to change even more. But as long as natural history collections continue to act as repositories of the physical world, they will remain valuable to our planet.
Ben Cammett, @BenCam137, asked: I work closely with the research and science staff at the museum to figure out topics for episodes. One major goal of The Brain Scoop is to help scientists share their stories and work with a wide audience. Sometimes people approach me directly, like one of our paleontologists asked if I would create a series about Dimetrodon locomotion and help them secure a grant. I did, and we got it! So that’s coming up soon. And sometimes randomly people stop me in the hall, like the other day when a colleague just looked at me and said, “Death rocks.” An episode all about deadly rocks. I think it’ll be a good one.
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Lichens – A symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually algae or cyanobacteria, which together form a unique organism capable of surviving in diverse environments. – Lichens are often used as bioindicators to monitor the health of ecosystems due to their sensitivity to environmental changes.
Ecosystems – Communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, functioning as a unit. – The study of ecosystems helps scientists understand the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in a given habitat.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Conducting research on genetic mutations has led to significant advancements in understanding hereditary diseases.
Biodiversity – The variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth, crucial for maintaining ecological balance. – Conservation efforts aim to preserve biodiversity, which is essential for ecosystem resilience and adaptability.
Museums – Institutions that collect, preserve, and display objects of scientific, artistic, or historical significance for public education and enjoyment. – Natural history museums play a vital role in educating the public about the diversity of life and the importance of conservation.
Specimens – Individual organisms or parts of organisms collected for scientific study and analysis. – The botanical garden houses a vast collection of plant specimens that are used for research and educational purposes.
Discovery – The process of finding or learning something for the first time, often leading to new knowledge or insights. – The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized genetic engineering by providing a precise tool for editing DNA.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often used to understand the development of scientific ideas and technologies. – The history of evolutionary theory illustrates how scientific understanding evolves through observation and evidence.
Science – The systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. – Science relies on empirical evidence and peer review to validate hypotheses and theories.
Exploration – The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it, often leading to new scientific insights and discoveries. – Ocean exploration has uncovered new marine species and ecosystems, expanding our understanding of life on Earth.
