The Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST) and Massachusetts Science Education Leadership Association (MSELA) will jointly host a Zoom webinar on September 20 at 6PM on the role of diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism (DEIA) in science education. It’s free and open to all . Dr. Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson will explore why DEIA is important, challenges and opportunities in addressing DEIA in science education, and strategies to do so. Register here to get the Zoom link.

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will offer the following events:

• Summer Family Night: Europa Encounter, online, for ages 12+, on August 4 at 7:30PM. $10 per participant (or $15 for two participating via one device).
• AstroNights Live: James Webb Space Telescope: Free virtual presentation on August 18 at 7:30PM.
• Planetarium Movie Days: Movies in the FSU Planetarium.  August 24-26. $5 per person. Movies titles, dates, times, and registration links are in the link.

The Harvard Forest will hold a free online workshop, Trees Telling STEM Stories, for Grade 6-12 STEM teachers and informal educators to introduce the Harvard Forest’s Witness Tree research and social media initiative. It will be held on August 26, 10AM-4PM. Register by August 13.

The Southeastern Massachusetts STEM Network will host two mornings (9AM-12:30PM) of online panel discussions and workshops exploring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM education on the next two Wednesdays  Register at the links below for either or both events in the series — Addressing DEI While Advancing STEM Education in Education, Workplaces, in Communities:

• Session 1 on August 4: National & MA Initiatives – Connection to Local Programs
• Session 2 on August 11: Community Models for Making Positive Change

The Newton Free Library will host the following online STEM-related events:

• Animal Antics: A Stem Storytime:  August 2, 10:30AM-11AM. Online storytimes, each featuring a different class/order of animals. For ages 3-6 and their caregivers. See Zoom link here.
• Little Lab Coats: Farms!:  August 10, 6PM-7PM. Online discussion for ages 6-9. Space is limited. Registration is limited and opens on August 2 at 8:30AM. Zoom link will be sent after registration.

As part of its Science for All Seasons program, the Broad Institute will host a virtual talk on July 29, 5PM-6PM, Genomics, COVID-19, and Us: Understanding Variants and Our Susceptibility to Disease. Human geneticist Benjamin Neale will discuss how our DNA influences our body’s response to the virus, and viral geneticist Bronwyn MacInnis will talk about genomic epidemiology and the evolution and spread of viral variants. Register here.

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University continues its free, virtual planetarium AstroNights events for families (ages 7+) with these online presentation in July.

• Destination Moon: Virtual Mission Simulation: July 14, 7:30PM-8:30PM. View the presentation on Zoom (registration required). Ages 10+ can participate, as well as those under 10 when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 per individual or $15 per team of two.
• James Webb Space Telescope- Part 1: July 21.  In a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session, learn about the James Webb Space Telescope — the largest, most powerful and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space. View the presentation on Zoom (registration required) or the Christa McAuliffe YouTube channel. Free.
• Mars Sample Return: Virtual Mission Simulation: July 28, 7:30PM-8:30PM. View the presentation on Zoom (registration required). Ages 13+ can participate, as well as those under 13 when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 per individual or $15 per team of two.