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Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

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Museum of Science, Boston

One of the world's largest science centers, the Museum of Science, Boston attracts 1.6 million visitors a year through vibrant programs and over 550 interactive exhibits. Its mission is to stimulate interest in and further understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and society. Other features include the Thomson Theater of Electricity; Current Science & Technology Center; Charles Hayden Planetarium; Gilliland Observatory; and Mugar Omni Theater. The Museum's exhibit plan, Science Is an Activity, has been awarded several National Science Foundation grants and profoundly influenced exhibit development at other major science centers.

http://www.mos.org

  • Unexpected Interface: Proteins and Evolutionary Change

    Tue, Mar 20, 2007
    Susan Lindquist describes protein folding, and how this phenomenon allows orgnisms to evolve rapidly in response to new environmental conditions. All proteins start out as long strings of amino acids. Before a protein can function, it must fold into an extremely precise, highly complex structure. This is a difficult feat in the highly concentrated environment of the cell. Protein folding is facilitated by helper proteins called molecular chaperones. Lindquist's recent work suggests that the forces that govern protein folding exert a profound effect in determining how the genes encoded by an organism's DNA are translated into phenotypic traits. The folding mechanisms of molecular chaperone proteins can allow organisms to reveal accumulated-but-hidden genetic variation in times of stress.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston

  • Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World

    Fri, Dec 1, 2006
    Andrew Revkin details his fascinating adventure to the icy outer limits of earth with a team of scientists whose task was to determine the natural and man-made causes of dramatic climate changes in the Arctic. The award-winning *New York Times* journalist discusses his new book, *The North Pole Was Here: Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World*. Revkin's talk is moderated by Christopher Lydon of *Open Source*, and produced in association with the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston

  • A Sustainable Transportation Vision for New England

    Sun, Sep 17, 2006
    Chella Rajan moderates a panel discussion on the important stakes that cities, states, employers, the environment, and the public have in future patterns and costs of transportation. Ideas contributing to a sustainable transportation vision in New England are considered, including new technology, smart land use, mixed-use land development, access to appropriate transport services, thoughtful urban design, and personal behavior.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston

  • Soft Car: Human-Friendly Car Design

    Sun, Sep 17, 2006
    Mitchell Joachim shares some of his 'out of this world' thinking regarding the future of automobile design. Joachim's work is to rethink car design based upon more humanistic principles. From the history of alternative urban design to his own work with Frank Gehry on a Soft Car with omnidirectional wheels and human friendly design, Joachim peers into a future very different from today's SUV-filled one.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston

  • Wild Trees: Uncharted Canopy Biosphere of Redwoods

    Wed, May 9, 2007
    Richard Preston, author of *The Hot Zone*, tells the story of Steve Sillett and Marie Antoine and a group of botanists and amateur naturalists who discovered a mysterious world hidden above California. *The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring* is the tale of their adventures exploring the uncharted canopy biosphere of the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained, the coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens).
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston
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    Exploring Space with Humans and Robots

    Wed, Apr 26, 2006
    Jeffrey Hoffman, a former space shuttle astronaut, discusses personal experiences of space flight and shares his thoughts on the synergy between human and robotic exploration of space. He points out that the vast majority of space exploration is currently performed by machines ranging from telescopes to robots. (Photo: ["STS-135 begins takeoff"](http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/5916678920/in/photostream/. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:STS-135_begins_takeoff.jpg#/media/File:STS-135_begins_takeoff.jpg "") by Bill Ingalls)
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston
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    Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness

    Wed, Oct 4, 2006
    Tal Ben-Shahar discusses current research on the science of happiness and introduces ideas and tools that can actually make a difference in one's life. break The study of happiness or of enhancing the quality of our lives, has been dominated by pop-psychology (much charisma, but relatively little substance) and academia (much substance, but isolated from most people's everyday lives). Positive Psychology, the scientific study of optimal human functioning, creates a bridge between the Ivory Tower and Main Street, making rigorous academic ideas accessible to all. Tal Ben-Shahar, instructor of the most popular course at Harvard University, discusses the findings of current research on the science of happiness and introduces ideas and tools that can actually make a difference in one's life.
    Forum Network
    Mental Health Month
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston

  • NASA's Vision for Human Space Exploration

    Wed, Apr 19, 2006
    Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, and Jonathan McDowell, astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center, discuss NASA's Vision, the benefits and disadvantages of manned versus robotic missions, and whether we should be spending money on space-related projects instead of addressing needs here on earth.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston
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    Over My Dead Body

    Fri, Sep 29, 2006
    A panel discusses the fate of Mattatuck Museum's skeleton, Larry, and tries to resolve issues surrounding what happens to our bodies after we die, and who decides what is okay. Where is the line between respect for the human body after death, and the use of human remains for display and education? Where do museums fit in? For decades, Connecticut's Mattatuck Museum has grappled with difficult issues in relation to one of their most iconic artifacts, a skeleton known as Larry. Research recently revealed that the skeleton belonged to an enslaved man named Fortune, whose owner, a doctor, had preserved the bones upon Fortune's death. This program is part panel discussion and part forum conversation.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston
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    Music on My Brain: A Conversation with Daniel J. Levitin and Rosanne Cash

    Wed, Oct 21, 2009
    Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin and artist Rosanne Cash have a musical conversation about music and the brain. How does music evoke our emotions? Is our response to music hard-wired or culturally-based? Why does music play such an important role in our lives? Levitin is a rock star of science who has worked with actual rock stars, including Sting and David Byrne. Cash, the daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash, underwent brain surgery in 2007 and brings a unique perspective to music on our minds.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    Museum of Science, Boston
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