Past Events

Despite their scary appearance, sand tiger sharks are docile ocean animals that pose no real threat to humans. Although it has a rich history in New England, this species has declined due to threats like overfishing, and was rarely observed in our region during recent decades. However, a significant number of juvenile sand tigers returned to local waters in the last five to 10 years. Come learn about the biology, conservation, and fascinating resurgence of this species in our own backyard.

Are you an aspiring science communicator? A storyteller? Or are you just a huge fan of science videos? Meet the hosts of two of NOVA’s YouTube series: _[Gross Science](https://www.youtube.com/user/grossscienceshow "Gross Science channel")_ host Anna Rothschild and _[What the Physics](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj1gfrsi8H8zTrmR0ft1Kjw "What the Physics channel")_ talent Dr. Gregory Kestin discuss the ingredients for making weird and strange stories about science into engaging, educational—and scientifically accurate—videos.

A group of community organizers and students met in a classroom in Harvard's Graduate School of Education to speak with aspiring educators. The question they raised: _Are We Being Educated or Incarcerated?_ "There's too much emphasis on behavioral class management and curriculum development. As a result of such, there's very little engagement and relationship development between teachers and students. Consequently, our urban youth of color are not being effectively educated; they are being mentally colonized, marginalized, and incarcerated." — Emdin (2016) and Quiceno (2017) This discussion gave some youth an opportunity to share with Harvard students and education professionals their personal narratives about the disciplinary issues they have encountered within the public and charter school system. They also offered some recommendations to dismantle the "school-to-prison pipeline".

Shark! We hear the word, and our senses heighten with fear-inducing images of scything fins and serrated teeth. But what is the truth about these frequently vilified denizens of the deep? Join New England Aquarium scientists Mark Smith and John Mandelman for a deeper look at the shark: their cultural impact, their diversity and biology, and, in the context of marine conservation and human interactions, how we should be terming it “shark attacked” rather than “shark attack.” Finally, learn more about some of the amazing scientific and tireless advocacy work fighting to counteract the mounting conservation threats facing these majestic animals around the globe, as well as a preview of shark-related offerings in the spring lecture series, and work out of the Aquarium’s new Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.

The impacts of global climate change on ocean ecosystems are now pervasive. But how well do we truly understand the ways in which a shifting climate affects nonhuman organisms, and how might our anthropocentric view of the world cloud our understanding of what to expect in nature? Using a unique combination of computer modeling, field instrumentation, and virtual reality technology, Brian Helmuth gives a worldwide tour of how climate change is affecting coastal ecosystems from the perspective of marine invertebrates and explores how many of the most significant effects of global climate change can only be predicted when we step outside our biased perceptions of how weather and climate affect natural ecosystems. His results suggest that while many coastal ecosystems may be much closer to collapse than initially expected, in some cases, climate change can lead to positive responses at some locations. Discerning among these possibilities is therefore crucial if we are to find novel ways of adapting to a warmer planet.

WGBH's Jim Braude welcomes Corey Flintoff, former NPR Bureau Chief in Moscow, for conversation and Q&A with members of the Ralph Lowell Society. Recently retired, Flintoff was a radio journalist for nearly 40 years. He covered the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine, the earthquake in Haiti, the revolution in Egypt and the revolution and civil war in Libya. He most recently served as NPR’s correspondent in Moscow for four years, reporting on the growing authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

New York Times bestselling author **Neil Gaiman** bends genres while reaching audiences of all ages. His works for adults include _American Gods_, _Neverwhere_, _Anansi Boys_, and _The Ocean at the End of the Lane_ , which was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards. His children’s novel _The Graveyard Book_ is the only work to win both the Newbery (US) and Carnegie (UK) Medals, both awarded by librarians for the most prestigious contribution to children’s literature. Gaiman joins Jared Bowen, Executive Arts Editor for WGBH and host of the weekly television series [Open Studio with Jared Bowen](http://www.wgbh.org/programs/open-studio-with-jared-bowen-2162 ""), which takes viewers inside the creative process, offering a blend of profiles, performances, and contemporary exhibitions by artists in Greater Boston, New England, and across the country. (Image: [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/en/silhouette-head-bookshelf-know-1632912/ ""))

Bernie Sanders returns to Boston in partnership with the Harvard Book Store, Boston Review and the MIT Department of Political Science. This talk was also [screened to more than 80,000 viewers via Facebook Live](https://www.facebook.com/wgbhforum/videos/1868736503384498/ "") from MIT's Kresge Auditorium. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders discusses his experiences as a presidential candidate and his thoughts about the political process. His talk will be based in part on the ideas presented in his latest book, _Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In_. As a part of the evening's presentation, Senator Sanders will be joined on-stage for a Q&A moderated by Archon Fung, Academic Dean and Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Citizenship at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr. Robert Vincent, coastal ecologist at MIT, discusses invasive plant species and the carbon cycle on the dunes of Cape Cod. Vincent works with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service to study carbon cycling in coastal dune habitats. Vincent is also exploring the effects of historic peat deposits on the establishment and persistence of invasive plants (Phragmites australis). With the increased risk of erosion from coastal storms exposing the once-buried peat deposits and the challenge of controlling an aggressive invasive species, there is much to learn from Vincent about this dynamic system. Learn how the research findings from the study will inform future conservation efforts in the region and help us gain a deeper understanding of carbon cycling in coastal dunes.

Bishop Karen Oliveto served as senior pastor of the 12,000-member Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco for eight years. She was the first woman to be senior pastor at Glide, the fifth largest United Methodist congregation in the US. Bishop Oliveto has the distinction of being the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church. She and her wife, Robin Ridenour, a nurse anesthetist and United Methodist deaconess, were married in 2014. Bishop Oliveto now serves as the leader of 400 churches in the Mountain Sky Area of The United Methodist Church.