The incoming Biden-Harris administration will host two virtual town halls for the public to provide input about the nation’s STEM needs, under the theme, The World Continues to Change: A Unique Opportunity to Influence What’s Next for STEM. Melissa Moritz from the Biden Science Policy Team and Erik Nikolaus Martin, director of the Biden Day One Team, will host town halls 1PM-2PM on January 5 and January 7. Parents, students, teachers, government officials, and leaders from business, industry, and non-profits are encouraged to click those links to register and join the conversation. The town halls will be organized by TIES, the founder and leader of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice. You can also submit your questions and thoughts online.

Q-munity, a student-run non-profit focused on educating students about quantum computing, will host a free online tech conference, Q-Munity Vision, on February 6-7, to introduce middle-school, high-school, and early-college students to emerging technology such as AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. The event will launch the Vision Challenge, in which teams of 1-5 students have two months to compete for a $1,000 prize for the best presentation of a real-world problem with a potential solution using emerging technologies. Register here for the conference.

Harvard Alumni Travel hosts periodic, free, online Travel Talks with professors, open to the general public.  The next one, Travel Talks with David A. Aguilar: A Tale of Two Poles, on January 14 at 4PM, explores the unique ecosystems of the Earth’s poles and indicators of climate change. Space is limited and available first-come/first-served, so register now.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society is offering:

• In-person/outdoor activities including bird walks and visits to wildlife sanctuaries across the state;
• Massachusetts Wildlife Success Stories (online) Thursdays starting January 7, 7PM-8PM to learn how populations dwindled and recovered for 8 native wildlife species, including Wood Ducks, Black Bears, Bald Eagles, and Eastern Spadefoot Toads; and
• Winter Neighborhood Naturalist Series (online) Wednesdays starting January 13, 7PM-9PM to enhance outdoor observation skills.

The Ecotarium in Worcester is moving its Noon Year’s Eve Celebration online — starting at 11:55AM on December 31 and counting down to Noon. See the link above for downloadable at-home activities and watch the celebration live here.

Boston’s Museum of Science and the Mass League of Community Health Centers will host a free, online event — Race to the Vaccine: Exploring Public Confidence in a COVID Vaccination — on December 14, 4PM-5PM to discuss the results of a new poll of Massachusetts residents about their readiness to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Analysis of the poll results indicates opportunities to improve vaccination rates through communication via key channels to boost confidence and reduce inequities in vaccination. Registration is required for the online event.

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will hold a live, virtual, interactive sessions during the Winter Break. These shows are usually offered for school classes, and these sessions are for individual and family sign-ups. Register for them by 5PM on December 22.

• Europa Encounter for ages 10-14 on December 29, 2:30PM-3:30PM. $10 per person or $15 for two.
• Solar System Explorers for ages 5-8 on December 30, 2:30PM-3:30PM. $10 per person, $15 for two, or $20 for three.

On December 22 at 4PM, the Newton Free Library will host Arctic Explorations!, a virtual session of its Little Lab Coats series of STEM explorations for ages 6-9 . Discover how some animals adapt to arctic conditions. Space is limited. Register by 4PM on December 21. A link for the online event will be sent the day before the program.