ScIC "Science is Cool" Unplugged PocketLab

Fostering curiosity and inquiry with real-world examples.




Sara Plowman is a veteran teacher in Santa Monday and discusses with us various topics, including stinging nettles, biomimicry, authentic science, and project-based learning. They also discuss biomimicry design applications and other natural phenomena. The conversation then shifts to the importance of authentic science and project-based learning in education, with Sara sharing her definition of authentic science and providing tips for teachers to incorporate hands-on activities in the classroom. They also explore the benefits of collaboration and cross-curricular projects. The conversation concludes with a discussion on measuring heat islands and the potential for students to make informed decisions based on data collected. The conversation covers various topics related to project-based learning and scientific exploration. The main themes include the use of real-world projects to engage students, the importance of incorporating hands-on experiences, the value of failure and learning from mistakes, and the exploration of scientific questions and phenomena. The conversation also touches on the role of simulations, cultural norms in risk-taking, and the wonder of nature. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry in education.

 

 
ABOUT SARA Born in the mountains of Utah, Sara's early days were filled with snow, sledding and mountain biking. She then moved to the Napa Valley in California, where she spent her days finding frogs in the nearby stream, exploring the nearby reservoir in her make-shift raft, and, unfortunately, discovering exactly what stinging nettles look like.
Initially discovering her love of outdoor experiential education through the lens of a student, Sara attended Midland, a small boarding school in central California with a strong focus on sustainability, environmental education and experiential learning. From there, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and bachelor's degree in public health from UC Santa Cruz.
Sara has been a teacher for 19 years. She currently teaches at a small project based learning pathway that is part of Santa Monica High School. Sara believes that learning in all of the disciplines is interconnected, and strives to help guide her students to be better global citizens through differentiated, cross-curricular, project-based learning experiences. She believes in the value of experiential, inquiry based education with a strong emphasis on developing climate literacy, data analysis, presentation and word skills.  
Sara is a life-long explorer. Whether strolling through Havana, or hiking the mountains of California, she believes there's something to be learned from every experience. This love of exploration and her commitment to geographic education led Sara to be chosen as a Grosvenor Teaching Fellow in 2016. This allowed her to travel to Antarctica with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.  In 2023, Sara was selected by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions to partner with two visiting scientists using climate proxies and modeling to explore climate change in the Arctic.  These two experiences, as well as others, continue to inform her development of deep data driven, cross curricular climate literacy focused projects for her students.   

Classroom data literacy and adaptability in education today.








Jolie Pelds, Director of Innovative STEM Teaching for the Science Center of Iowa chats about various topics including life opportunities, the Science Center of Iowa, Silicon Valley, ecosystems, and the importance of technology and data literacy in education. The conversation explores the importance of teaching computer science in a contextual and authentic way. It emphasizes the need for students to develop problem-solving skills, algorithmic thinking, and the ability to debug and troubleshoot technology. The conversation also highlights the value of collecting and analyzing data, as well as the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The guests share examples of hands-on activities and real-world experiences that engage students and foster a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for educators to create opportunities for students to become self-driven learners and to develop skills that will prepare them for the rapidly changing world. In this final part of the conversation, Jolie and Dave discuss the importance of learning how to learn and finding one's passion. They emphasize the need for individuals to explore their interests and identify the specific aspects they enjoy, as this can lead to unexpected career opportunities. They also discuss the importance of being comfortable with discomfort and embracing the learning process. The conversation touches on the uncertainty of future careers and the need for individuals to adapt and be open to new opportunities. They also highlight the value of collecting and analyzing data in various aspects of life. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of curiosity, passion, and adaptability in navigating the rapidly changing world.

 
 Science Center of Iowa
 

 
ABOUT JOLIE Jolie Pelds is the Director of Innovative STEM Teaching at the Science Center of Iowa. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Science Education both from the University of Iowa. She has taught at both the secondary as well as collegiate level. She joined SCI in 2014 and her current work at SCI allows her to strengthen STEM education across the state through professional development and the creation of educational programming for early learners, homeschoolers, parents and teachers.

Challenge your students to create eco-inspired designs.





Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute, an architect and advocate for biomimicry and biophilic design, discusses the importance of design that enhance the connection between people and nature. Biophilic design and Biomimicry involves bringing elements of nature into buildings, engineering, mechanics and more, such as natural patterns, colors, and textures. Sturgeon emphasizes that modern architecture has become sterile and disconnected from nature, and biophilic design aims to shift this mindset and create spaces that promote a deep connection with nature. She also highlights the need for a shift in societal values to prioritize this connection and advocates for the inclusion of biophilic elements in all communities, not just those that can afford it. The conversation explores the need for a shift in how we design and use buildings, with a focus on incorporating nature-inspired biomimicry principles. The discussion touches on topics such as the impact of building design on productivity, the role of technology in remote work, the importance of creating flexible and biophilic spaces, and the need for a cost model that considers the true environmental and social costs of construction. The conversation also highlights the potential of biomimicry to revolutionize product design and the building industry by learning from nature's efficient and sustainable designs.
 
Access the Biomimicry Institute free curriculum units
Watch the Biomimicry Teacher Webinar for the Youth Design Challenge
Learn more about the Biomimicry Institute
 


 
ABOUT AMANDA As CEO of The Biomimicry Institute, Amanda fosters a thriving eco-system of innovators, educators and change-makers to bring about a world that works in harmony with nature and natural systems. Amanda is an award winning Architect, author and non-profit and thought leader on how people, buildings and cities connect to nature. She authored the book ‘Creating Biophilic Buildings” and has an essay in the best selling anthology ‘All We Can Save” , she has published articles across mainstream media, such as The Guardian, and is a frequent keynote speaker at global events. Amanda was previously the inaugural CEO of Built by Nature, a network and grant-making fund, focused on accelerating the timber and bio-based building materials transformation and she has also served as Regenerative Design Lead at global consultancy Mott MacDonald, working with clients across the Asia Pacific region to bring climate and biodiversity positive solutions to infrastructure, buildings and cities.
During her decade with the International Living Future Institute as CEO she authored and developed regenerative building programs such as The Living Building Challenge and founded the Biophilic Design Initiative. Amanda was elevated to be a Fellow of The American Institute of Architects in 2015 due to her extensive advocacy for buildings and cities that work in unison with nature. Amanda currently serves on the board of Climate Action Network Australia and is on the Biophilic Cities Advisory Group.

Exploring continuous learning and careers in education.
 
In this conversation, Dave and Christine discuss various topics, including their past interactions, the importance of travel and learning, careers in technology, and the challenges of communicating complex ideas. They also touch on the significance of problem-solving skills and the need for continuous learning in today's rapidly changing world. In this part of the conversation, Christine and Dave discuss the importance of making mistakes gracefully and the excitement of discovering new interests. They also touch on the potential of synthetic biology in the fashion industry and the changing nature of the pigment industry. They share stories about challenging interview questions and the value of problem-solving skills. They emphasize the need for a mindset of continuous learning in science and the importance of exposing students to different career paths, including trades and agriculture. They also discuss the role of teachers in preparing students for future careers and the need for industry partnerships in education. The conversation explores the intersection of different engineering disciplines and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The hosts discuss the roles of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and software engineers in various industries, including self-driving cars and sensor design. They also touch on the potential of machine learning and language models in innovation and problem-solving. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of attending conferences and the need for teachers to stay updated on the latest advancements in science and technology.
 

Connect with Christine on X: https://twitter.com/CCgirt 
 
ABOUT CHRISTINE Christine Girtain is the Director of Authentic Science Research at Toms River High School North and South in Toms River, New Jersey. An advocate for hands-on science education, she manages a three-year research program that encourages students to explore their scientific interests. Under her leadership, students have engaged in diverse projects, from studying the antibacterial properties of fruit seeds to bioengineering E. coli. With 28 years of teaching experience in her hometown district, she has earned several accolades, including the 2022-23 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.
Christine's passion for teaching is rooted in a lifelong love of learning, instilled by her family and inspiring teachers. She began her teaching career through a Governor’s Teaching Scholarship, later earning a bachelor's in biology and a master's in earth science instruction. As a recognized leader in STEM education, she has forged significant partnerships and brought substantial grant funding to enhance educational opportunities. Christine’s commitment extends beyond the classroom, involving her students in international research projects and advocating for agricultural literacy and student well-being nationwide.

How student's personal experiences shape learning and scientific exploration.
 
Join PBS and YouTube creator Dr. Joe Hanson to learn about the importance of storytelling and curiosity in education. Joe and Dave discuss the value of being the narrator of your own story and the dangers of algorithms and passive content consumption. They touch on the unreliability of memory and the power of personal experiences. The conversation ends with a personal story about a spooky experience that turned out to have a logical explanation. The conversation explores the universal experience of curiosity and the importance of nurturing it. It discusses how curiosity is innate in children and how adults can learn from their natural curiosity. The conversation also touches on the value of noticing and being present in the world, as well as the power of books and magazines to inspire wonder and expand our understanding of the world. It concludes with a discussion on the impact of curiosity on learning and the potential of technology to enhance our ability to explore and understand the natural world. In this final part of the conversation, Joe and Dave discuss the potential for using AI tools to understand whale communication and the importance of listening to nature. They explore the idea of translating whale songs into human language and the challenges of understanding different species' perspectives. They also touch on the limitations of human senses and the need for humility in scientific exploration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of boredom and the importance of being in control of one's own mind.

Joe's PBS YouTube Channel
 
Joe's Twitter.      Joe's Instagram.      Joe's TikTok.
 


 
ABOUT JOE Joe Hanson, Ph.D., is a science writer, biologist, educator, and YouTube creator. He is the creator and host of Be Smart, an award-winning science education show from PBS that celebrates curiosity and the pleasure of finding things out. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and his science writing has been published by WIRED, Nautilus, Scientific American and Texas Monthly. He lives in Austin, TX.

Teaching students how to interpret headlines and media sensationalism.
 
Join PBS correspondent Mile's Obrien as he discusses this current event with host Dave Bakker and special guest, Clifton Roozeboom. The conversation revolves around the topic of airline safety, specifically focusing on the recent issues with Boeing's 737 Max 9. The hosts discuss the sensationalism in the news media and the importance of critical thinking when consuming information. They emphasize the need to seek out primary sources and trusted experts to filter out biased or misleading information. The concept of risk and reward is also explored, highlighting the need to assess risks in a meaningful way. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about the future of flying cars.
 
Learn more about Miles on his website: https://milesobrien.com/ 
Connect with Miles on Twitter at https://twitter.com/milesobrien 
Watch Mile's conference session from Science is Cool 8: https://www.thepocketlab.com/video/scic8/miles-obrien 

ABOUT MILES Miles O’Brien is a veteran, award-winning journalist who focuses on science, technology, aerospace, and the environment.
He is the science correspondent for PBS NewsHour, a producer and director for the PBS science documentary series NOVA, and a correspondent for the PBS documentary series FRONTLINE and the National Science Foundation Science Nation series.
For nearly seventeen of his thirty-two years in the news business, he worked for CNN as the science, environment and aerospace correspondent and the anchor of various programs, including American Morning.
While at CNN, he secured a deal with NASA to become the first journalist to fly on the space shuttle. The project ended with the loss of Columbia and her crew in 2003 – a story he told to the world in a critically acclaimed sixteen-hour marathon of live coverage.
Prior to joining CNN, he worked as a reporter at television stations in Boston, Tampa, Albany, NY and St. Joseph, MO. He began his television career as a desk assistant at WRC-TV in Washington, DC.
O’Brien is an accomplished pilot and is frequently called upon to explain the world of aviation to a mass audience. He has won numerous awards over the years, including a half-dozen Emmys, and a Peabody and DuPont for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
In February of 2014, a heavy equipment case fell on his forearm while he was on assignment. He developed Acute Compartment Syndrome, which necessitated the emergency amputation of his left arm above the elbow.
Born in Detroit and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, he is based in Washington, DC. He has a son at the US Naval Academy and a daughter at Davidson College in North Carolina. He was a history major at Georgetown University.