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Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

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Science for the Public

Science for the Public is a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to the promotion of adult science literacy. The organization hosts public presentations by scientists at Boston Public Library, a community science TV series, and online science resources. Citizen participation is actively encouraged in the development of our programs and resources. Today, many of the most pressing issues of modern life require the expertise of scientists. Citizens must therefore have a reasonable understanding of science in order to function as responsible members of society. Further, as the pace of scientific discovery accelerates, modern citizens must be able to grasp new concepts and information that are reshaping our perspectives. Although the issue of science literacy is now being addressed at the K-12 level, there is no science curriculum for the adult population. And it is the adult population that votes, pays taxes and raises children.

http://www.scienceforthepublic.org/

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    Sustainable Urban Development

    Mon, Nov 25, 2019
    Modern urban development requires a multi-dimensional design approach to encompass energy-efficient architecture, pedestrian-friendly access to shops, entertainment, work and schools, and vibrant outdoor spaces. Using sophisticated computer-modeling, the Sustainable Design Lab at MIT combines and analyzes many elements for optimal, healthy urban environments.  In this presentation, Dr. Reinhart outlines such a model based on a neighborhood proposal in Boston. Image: [Science For The Public](http://scienceforthepublic.org/energy-and-resources/designing-sustainable-urban-development)
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    Cell Architecture: Self-Organization and Scale

    Tue, Oct 8, 2019
    Regardless of any cell’s size, its components (organelles) are always proportional. Scientists do not know how size of cells and their organelles are determined. Cells just self-assemble effortlessly. Biophysicist Jané Kondev discusses this mystery –one of the most challenging in Nature– and how scientists try to unravel the cell’s self-assembly code. Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://www.scienceforthepublic.org/life/cell-architecture-self-organization-and-scaling)
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    Herbal Medicines Decoded: How Medicinal Plants Soothe and Cure

    Tue, Sep 10, 2019
    Professor Jing-Ke Weng’s lab at MIT and the Whitehead Institute focuses on the distinctive chemistry and genetics of medicinal plants. Dr. Weng explains the process, the discoveries, and the challenge of simulating plant chemistry for large-scale medical purposes.
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    Science for the Public
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    Light from Darkness? Searching for Dark Matter in the Sky

    Thu, Aug 15, 2019
    Dr. Slatyer explains how dark matter –the mysterious 85 percent of the matter in the universe—continues to elude scientific understanding. She describes how dark matter collisions might create observable signals, and how we can attempt to pick out those signals from telescope observations. Image: [Science For The Public](http:///www.scienceforthepublic.org/)
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    Nectar, Pollen and the Health of Bees

    Wed, Jul 10, 2019
    Lynn Adler, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, UMass-Amherst explains how some bee infections may be transferred via plants that bees visit, and how some types of nectar and pollen may help to reduce certain pathogens.
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    Science for the Public
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    Mathematics of a Sixth Extinction

    Tue, Jul 16, 2019
    Dr. Rothman explains how mathematical modeling clarifies the intricate dynamics of our planet’s carbon cycles and geophysical components. His model shows the relationship between ancient mass extinctions and the likely sixth extinction of the future.
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    The Scientific Attitude

    Tue, Jun 11, 2019
    In an era when science has contributed so much to the progress of humanity, there is a resurgence of anti-reason and rejection of scientific facts. These challenges call for a mental adjustment: the scientific attitude. Dr. McIntyre explains how to adapt that attitude and why it is necessary today.
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    How Science Fiction Has Inspired Science

    Tue, Jun 4, 2019
    David Toomey, Professor of English Literature, UMass-Amherst, examines the relationship between science and science fiction. In particular he explains how science fiction often anticipates discoveries in science.
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    Science for the Public
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    Psychiatric Drugs: Why They Often Fail Us Over Long Term

    Tue, Apr 23, 2019
    More than one in five Americans now takes a psychiatric medication. Yet, as our use of these medications has soared, so too has the burden of mental disorders in our society. Why would this be so? Unfortunately, research has shown that long-term outcomes for medicated patients are poor. As a result, new initiatives are emerging that lessen the use of medications and focus instead on creating supports that help children and adults struggling with mental difficulties get well and stay well. Photo: [Cappi Thompson on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/34637679@N04/40258997254)
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    The Great Potential of Offshore Wind Farms

    Tue, May 7, 2019
    Dr. Myers explains why and how offshore wind farms will be a major source of renewable energy. Although a number of European countries have built offshore wind farms, the U.S. has been slow to develop this resource. We learn that the east coast of the US is one of the best areas in the world to locate offshore wind farms, and that that location would in principal supply enough energy for the entire US. Dr. Myers discusses the engineering and logistical aspects of developing wind farms and the exciting future for this area of renewable energy.
    Forum Network
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    Science for the Public
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