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Science for the Public

Science for the Public is a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to the promotion of adult science literacy. The organization hosts public presentations by scientists at Boston Public Library, a community science TV series, and online science resources. Citizen participation is actively encouraged in the development of our programs and resources. Today, many of the most pressing issues of modern life require the expertise of scientists. Citizens must therefore have a reasonable understanding of science in order to function as responsible members of society. Further, as the pace of scientific discovery accelerates, modern citizens must be able to grasp new concepts and information that are reshaping our perspectives. Although the issue of science literacy is now being addressed at the K-12 level, there is no science curriculum for the adult population. And it is the adult population that votes, pays taxes and raises children.

http://www.scienceforthepublic.org/

Climate Change and Ocean Circulation Systems

Mon, Sep 28, 2020

Dr. Bower explains the structure and dynamics of deep ocean currents and the vital role of these currents in maintaining the Earth’s climate. She discusses the concern among climate and ocean scientists about one of the major systems, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the implications of a slowdown in that system. Dr. Bower also describes the technical challenges of measuring systems like the AMOC.

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The World Health Organization: Lifeline for the World’s Children

Tue, Sep 8, 2020

Most children in the world are not healthy, and many –especially in impoverished nations – are vulnerable to serious illnesses. Dr. Hamer explains why the World Health Organization is the indispensable lifeline for children around the world, and why the U.S. has an obligation to participate with other nations in the work of the W.H.O. (Photo: [Flickr/Eric Bridiers](https://www.flickr.com/photos/us-mission/6946430257/in/photolist-9J42FX-bzQgGV-2iPVeMi-p1nFPc-2iPQRiz-bzQgLD-bmVrgQ-RUuDDK-bBSFFy-2fzoxwS-cPJT3w-cPJSEm-2iPQQAN-eFmzvF-2iQqbXn-2fLTTTE-nmDuL2-drUZxa-y4QdhM-nM2D4K-9Ji7mk-28VN4Rj-26dMzVE-23zvEU2-G9ivXe-8GtQBZ-2gahZVs-8GZzEj-8DNtUd-8GtNWR-8ET3eb-8ESVQE-8DNuSJ-8zHSDt-7yuQFL-8ET6e1-787EzG-V2jPWk-6JEhr3-24SWwZ1-6JEhr7-W6DRZ-nmdwsG-2jtGv8M-nCqdTV-2jD8Nsy-2ikCD8D-2iPVfrK-5XofFi-2iAXPfv/) , image cropped)

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Atmospheric Tipping Points

Thu, Sep 3, 2020

Dr. Cziczo explains the difference between millions of years of natural warming cycles and the more recent anthropogenic warming caused by the production of more CO2. He discusses the implications of atmospheric CO2 buildup and the limitations of geoengineering and sequestration as solutions to this problem. Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://scienceforthepublic.org/earth/atmospheric-tipping-points)

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Explaining and Measuring the Expanding Universe

Fri, Aug 28, 2020

Dr. Martini explains how astronomers now calculate the expansion of the universe and why the expansion is accelerating. He is the Instrument Scientist for one of the most advanced astronomical surveys of the century: the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The DESI This highly anticipated project launches unique technology and its massive data is expected to produce the foundation of a “new physics.” Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://scienceforthepublic.org/cosmos/explaining-and-measuring-the-expanding-universe)

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All About Jellyfish

Mon, Aug 10, 2020

Dr. Madin provides an expert’s understanding of jellyfish –those maligned creatures that are such a nuisance to those who flock to ocean beaches. Recent reports about the huge lion’s mane jellyfish has raised interest in the great diversity of marine ”floaters.” Dr. Madin also discusses marine robots that are so important to this type of research. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Endocrine Disruptors Affect Brain Development

Mon, Aug 3, 2020

Dr. Zoeller has been a leader among researchers emphasizing the need for much stronger regulation of endocrine disruptors. He discusses the chemistry of prenatal and infant brain development and the ways in which endocrine disruptors –even in very low dosage– impact the hormones involved in development. He also addresses the tension between federal regulators and the scientific community on this issue. Image: pixabay.com

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Are Coastal Communities Prepared for Rising Seas?

Fri, Jul 31, 2020

Erika Spanger-Siegfried, climate analyst for Union of Concerned Scientists, provides an update on the growing threat of rising seas to coastal cities and smaller communities. She discusses the need to prepare for coastal communities to prepare for more frequent coastal flooding. Image credit: [Pexels](http://https://www.pexels.com/photo/big-waves-under-cloudy-sky-753619/)

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A Spotlight on the Impact of the Wildlife Trade

Tue, Jul 14, 2020

Professor Maria Ivanova and doctoral student Candace Famiglietti detail the very serious consequences of the international wildlife trade. While there has been much media attention on the health consequences of wildlife food markets, these authors provide a much broader picture in a recent article exploring wildlife for exotic pets to wildlife in high fashion. They discuss the abuse inherent in wildlife trade, and the impact on ecosystems and environment, economies and human health. Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://scienceforthepublic.org/life/a-spotlight-on-the-impact-of-the-wildlife-trade)

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Physics Beyond the Standard Model at The Large Hadron Collider

Fri, Jun 26, 2020

Professor Klute provides an update on the work at the Large Hadron Collider. He discusses that the Standard Model is incomplete. The projects at the Large Hadron Collider search for the missing information. Markus Klute’s group played a central role in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, and continues the search for subatomic particles that can reveal the origin of the universe and the nature of matter. In this update on the LHC Dr. Klute explains how the LHC experiments probe for unknown particles, and he discusses the recent announcement of the future plans of the LHC. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Spillover! Virus Transmission from Animals-to-Humans

Wed, Jun 17, 2020

Spillover, the transfer of viruses from wild animals to humans, is a by-product of hunting, wild-animal trade, and proximity of humans to wild creatures. Dr. Jonathan Runstadler explains how spillover can cause pandemics in the modern global community, and why control of these viruses requires an understanding of the relationship between humans and these animal disease reservoirs. Image: Belmont Media Center

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