Monthly Archives: April 2021

Grades 8-12: Sign Up for Rainstorm, Online Splash!, May 15-16

Learning Unlimited and its many Splash programs are co-hosting Rainstorm on May 15-16, noon to 6PM both days, for Grades 8-12. The days are packed with free, online courses taught by undergraduates, graduate students, and experts from across the country. Sign up for the course lottery by April 30, rank your classes of interest, and receive your schedule. Graduates and undergraduates can also sign up to teach. For more information, email cloud@learningu.org. The website still shows the Fall 2020 course catalog, but these STEM-related courses seem to be in the Spring 2021 under development.

  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • A Battle of Forces: The Role of Inflammation in Disease
  • Understanding Dark Matter
  • Medicinal Chemistry I & II
  • The Seeing Blind: Understanding Vision and Technological Advances

Museum of Science Online: Feeding Communities — Big Challenges, Local Actions, Apr. 28

Boston’s Museum of Science will hold a free, online #MOSatHome discussion, Feeding Communities — Big Challenges, Local Actions, on April 28 at 5PM. The discussion will be moderated by Laura Reiley (Washington Post business of food reporter and will include Jen Faigel (Executive Director and Cofounder, CommonWealth Kitchen), Greg Watson (Director for Policy and Systems Design, Schumacher Center for a New Economics), and Norbert L. W. Wilson (Professor of Food, Economics, and Community, Duke University). Register here.

Harvard Museums Online: After-School Animal Encounters—Humans and Animals, Apr. 20

Harvard Museums of Science and Culture will present a free, live, online, family-friendly event, After-School Animal Encounters: Humans and Animals, on April 20, 3PM-3:45PM. Museum staff will discuss challenges that animals face and what humans can do to help. Register here to get a link to the event and to make a voluntary contribution if you wish to support HMSC.

Museum of Science Webinar: Designing a Sustainable Future, Apr. 22

Boston’s Museum of Science will host a free webinar, Designing a Sustainable Future, April 22 at 5PM. Register here. The panel includes:

  • Joan Fitzgerald (Professor of Urban and Public Policy)
  • Geraldine Barnuevo (Senior Manager Environmental Strategies and Sustainability, General Motors)
  • Mass. Senator Joseph Boncore, (Chair of Joint Committee on Transportation)
  • Tracy Corley (Director of Research and Partnerships, Conservation Law Foundation)

Earthwatch ‘Girls in Science’ Summer Fellowship for Diversity in STEM

Woods Hole Sea Grant, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Earthwatch Institute will offer the Girls in Science (GiS) week-long summer fellowship, August 8-14 and August 15-21 for young women in Grades 10-11 in Massachusetts to promote diversity in STEM. In this free program, students work with a predominantly female team of researchers to learn about a variety of marine careers in STEM. Applications are particularly encouraged from groups historically underrepresented in the ocean sciences—especially with respect to gender identity/expression, race, or ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. There is no cost to the students, and food and accommodations will be provided if the program is held in-person. COVID restrictions may require the program to be hybrid or remote. For more information, see the Girls in Science flyer. Applications are open now and must include one or two teacher references by May 21.

Science Club for Girls: Catalyst Awards Video Solicits Your Support

Science Club for Girls celebrated its annual Catalyst Awards online recently. You can view their video presentation, which gives a great overview of how SCFG excels at fostering excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM for girls and young women from underrepresented communities. SCFG offers free, experiential activities in STEM for K-8 girls; junior mentoring and leadership experiences for high school girls; and adult mentoring and role modeling by committed women with STEM careers. You can support SCFG through donations and volunteering.

Blue Hill Observatory Open for Tours, with Discounts to Help Clear Out Gift Shop, Prior to Renovations Starting in June

The Blue Hill Observatory will undergo renovations for a year starting in June to preserve its National Historic Landmark Observatory Tower. Until late May or early June, the BHO is open for tours, either by appointment (7 days a week, 8:30AM-5:30PM) or walk-ins (Fridays through Mondays, 10AM-4PM). Discounts in the gift shop are aimed at reducing inventories of kites, books, educational toys and kits, weather instruments, geology items, and souvenirs including clothing, magnets, and mugs. And all are invited to celebrate Earth Day by climbing Great Blue Hill and stopping by the Observatory April 22-25 to be counted in the “Climb for Climate Challenge.”