The Brain Scoop is gearing up for an exciting year in 2018. We have plans to travel to various research institutions and museums, which means you’ll see us hitting the road quite a bit. Although I can’t reveal all the details yet, I can say that renewing my passport was necessary, hinting at some international adventures. We’re also involved in several National Science Foundation grants, which will support our educational initiatives. Additionally, we’re planning to conduct more live-streamed dissections at the Grainger Science Hub, so stay tuned if that’s something you’re interested in.
Another exciting development is the launch of our podcast. After mentioning it throughout 2017, we’re finally set to start uploading episodes this year. Moreover, 2018 marks the 125th anniversary of the Field Museum, so expect plenty of updates and announcements from both The Brain Scoop and the museum.
Being part of the Field Museum has allowed us to explore a wide range of topics, from invertebrate life and insects to meteorites and dinosaurs. This diversity has been a dream come true for me as a lifelong learner. While I still enjoy specimen preparation, the opportunity to delve into various aspects of the natural world and share these experiences with you has been incredibly rewarding.
One of the best ways to spark children’s interest in natural science is to take them outside. Regardless of your location, urban ecology offers a wealth of fascinating discoveries. Observing the environment together can lead to intriguing questions and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Living in Chicago, I’ve become aware of pressing environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes. Invasive species, particularly quagga and zebra mussels, pose significant threats. These mussels reproduce rapidly and filter out microorganisms that are crucial for the ecosystem. While increased water clarity might seem beneficial, it actually contributes to large algae blooms that can wash ashore.
Entertainment media plays a role in generating enthusiasm for science, as seen with the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World series. While these films excite future paleontologists, I appreciate when fiction media consults scientific experts to ensure accuracy. This balance between entertainment and factual representation is important for effective science communication.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about the possibility of collaborating with institutions like the Smithsonian for a series on their collections. Additionally, there’s interest in documenting my journey and career in a book, depending on reader interest.
Regarding changes at the Field Museum, Soo is not leaving but relocating to a different room as part of a major remodel of our main hall in 2018, thanks to a generous donor’s gift.
The most useful degree for museum work depends on your interests. I gathered insights from people on Twitter, and they shared a wide range of educational backgrounds that contribute to museum studies and collections.
Reflecting on 2017, it was a successful year for The Brain Scoop. We partnered with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, produced longer-form videos, and live-streamed a dissection for the first time in five years. I also had the honor of being the keynote speaker for Chicago’s March for Science. As we move into 2018, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and grateful for your continued support over the past five years. Happy New Year!
Explore the Field Museum’s online resources and take a virtual tour of their exhibits. Afterward, write a reflection on how the diversity of topics, from invertebrate life to dinosaurs, enhances your understanding of natural science. Consider how these exhibits might inspire future educational initiatives.
Participate in a workshop to create your own podcast episode. Focus on a topic related to natural science or museum studies, drawing inspiration from The Brain Scoop’s upcoming podcast launch. Collaborate with peers to script, record, and edit your episode, and share it with the class.
Engage in a structured debate about the environmental challenges facing the Great Lakes, such as the impact of invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels. Research the ecological and economic implications, and present arguments for potential solutions to these issues.
Analyze a piece of entertainment media, such as a film or TV show, that incorporates scientific elements. Discuss how accurately the science is portrayed and the role of scientific consultation in media. Reflect on how this balance affects public perception and enthusiasm for science.
Attend a panel discussion featuring professionals from various educational backgrounds who work in museum studies and collections. Prepare questions about their career paths, the skills they find most valuable, and advice for students interested in pursuing similar careers.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hey everyone! We haven’t done an “Ask Emily” video in a while. Your first question might be: Are those zippers completely unnecessary? The answer is yes! Now, onto your more relevant questions.
James Houghton, from Instagram, asks what we can look forward to from The Brain Scoop in 2018. So far, 2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year for us! We are lucky enough to be hitting the road a couple of times this year, traveling to various research institutions and museums. I can’t share the details just yet, but I had to renew my passport, so that’s a hint! We’re also part of a couple of National Science Foundation grants, which is great for us. We hope to do more livestream dissections in the Grainger Science Hub, so if that’s something you’re interested in, let me know! We’ll be launching our podcast this year for sure. I know I mentioned it for all of 2017, but we will definitely start uploading our podcast in 2018. Additionally, 2018 marks the Field Museum’s 125th anniversary, so there will be a lot of exciting updates and announcements from both The Brain Scoop and the Field Museum in the coming months.
Tim L. White on Instagram asks if I’m glad to have branched out to the various things the Field Museum houses or if I’m wistful for animal specimen prep. I’m super glad we’ve been able to branch out more than I ever anticipated. Being at the Field Museum has allowed us to travel to other countries and continents, and we’ve tackled a diverse range of topics—from invertebrate life and insects to meteorites and dinosaurs. It’s been a dream come true for me as a lifelong learner. I do enjoy specimen prep when we get to do it, but there’s so much more to appreciate about the natural world and the sciences, and that’s been my greatest joy in sharing this with you.
Patrick Kelly on Instagram asks what the single best thing we can do to spark children’s interest in natural science is. I truly believe that the most important thing you can do with kids of any age is to take them outside. It doesn’t matter if you live in a particular natural environment; there’s so much interesting urban ecology around us. If you look closely together, it can inspire a lot of interesting questions about the natural world.
David at DavidRN85 asks what environmental issues I think are most pressing for the Great Lakes now that I live in Chicago. Some pressing issues include invasive species, primarily the quagga and zebra mussels. These mussels are incredibly destructive and breed rapidly. They filter out many microorganisms in the water, which isn’t great since those microorganisms feed other fish and animals. They also increase water clarity, which sounds good, but it actually leads to large algae blooms that can wash up on the shore.
Tracy Baldwin on Twitter asks if I would like to take The Brain Scoop to the Smithsonian for a series on their collections. Yes!
Phillip E. on Twitter asks how much responsibility entertainment media has in getting scientific facts right. I feel that the answer comes down to personal preference. While the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World series generate enthusiasm for future paleontologists, I appreciate when fiction media hire scientific consultants to help ensure accuracy.
Spear Us on Instagram asks if I’ve considered writing a book about my journey and career. That depends on whether or not you would read it!
Sumari96 on Instagram asks why the Field Museum is getting rid of Soo. Soo is not leaving the Field Museum; she is just moving to a different room. We’re doing a big remodel of our main hall in 2018 for our 125th anniversary, thanks to a generous gift from a donor.
Til Ders on Instagram asks what the most useful degree for museum work is. The answer really depends on what you’re interested in doing. I crowd-sourced opinions from people on Twitter about their studies and collections, and they provided a wide range of possibilities.
Our producer, Cheri Aris, asked if we’re excited for 2018. 2017 was a good year for us at The Brain Scoop! We partnered with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, created longer-form videos, and livestreamed a dissection for the first time in five years. I also had the honor of being the keynote speaker for Chicago’s March for Science, which was an amazing experience. I’m really looking forward to what else we’ll be doing in 2018, so thanks for sticking with us for five years! Happy New Year!
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, and specific references that may not be suitable for all audiences while maintaining the essence of the original content.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – The science of climate change involves understanding complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.
Environment – The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. – Researchers are studying how urban environments impact local wildlife populations.
Ecology – The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. – In ecology, scientists examine how species interactions affect ecosystem dynamics.
Natural – Existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind. – Natural processes such as photosynthesis are crucial for maintaining the Earth’s oxygen levels.
Invasive – Referring to species that spread rapidly and cause harm to native ecosystems, economies, or human health. – The introduction of invasive species like the zebra mussel has disrupted aquatic ecosystems in North America.
Species – A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. – Conservation efforts are focused on protecting endangered species from extinction.
Museum – An institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting objects of scientific, historical, or cultural interest. – The natural history museum offers extensive exhibits on the evolution of various species.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Ongoing research in renewable energy technologies is essential for sustainable development.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Environmental education programs aim to increase awareness about conservation issues among students.
Communication – The imparting or exchanging of information or news, especially as it relates to scientific findings and public understanding. – Effective communication of scientific research is crucial for informing policy decisions on climate change.
