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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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    Our Rising Seas

    Tue, Dec 19, 2017
    Dr. Andrew Kemp, Assistant Professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences at Tufts University, explains the cycles of ocean rise and fall over the past 2000 years. For most of that time, these changes were due to natural forces; but the present sea level rise is due to human-produced climate change. Thumbnail: By AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Niemi - Published here, here, and here, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3899195
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    Odd Couple: UV Radiation and the Origin of Life

    Tue, Nov 28, 2017
    Astrobiologist Sukrit Ranjan discusses the potential importance of UV radiation as a trigger for the emergence of life, and whether red dwarf stars might provide the necessary UV spark to generate life on optimal exoplanets.
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    What Mathematicians Reveal about Gerrymandering

    Wed, Oct 25, 2017
    Dr. Justin Solomon discusses how the gerrymander distorts the voting population to favor one group of voters over others. Today, mathematicians have the tools to analyze the gerrymander and recommend more equitable structuring of voting districts. This effort is an outstanding demonstration of mathematicians representing the public interest. Image: Elkanah Tisdale (1771-1835) (often falsely attributed to Gilbert Stuart) [Originally published in the Boston Centinel, 1812](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6030613_ "")., Public Domain,
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    Mushrooms and Other Fungi: Their Role in Nature

    Thu, Oct 5, 2017
    Learn about the fascinating world of mushrooms and fungi, their role in Nature and in evolution. Mushrooms do not get much media attention, but they serve an important function in many ecological systems.
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    Public Health: A Deeper Perspective

    Tue, Sep 12, 2017
    Dr. Galea discusses his new book _Healthier: Fifty Thoughts on the Foundation of Population Health_ and his work in public health. Galea is known for his emphasis on the connections between social environment and population health. Thumbnail:[ MarylandGovPics/Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/mdgovpics/7315143938 "")
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    Clouds, Chemistry and Climate: Why Our Climate Is What It Is

    Tue, Sep 12, 2017
    The excess CO2 in our atmosphere will affect Earth's climate for centuries to come, and we need to understand why. Professor Cziczo is an atmospheric scientist who is an expert on the crucial role of clouds in the dynamics of climate. He explains the vital relationship between clouds and climate, and the present options for reducing atmospheric CO2. Photo: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page "")
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    Why We Need an International Plan on Climate Change

    Fri, Jul 28, 2017
    In June 2017, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the [Paris Climate Accord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement ""), an accord that represents the commitment of almost all nations to address global warming. The U.S., which, under the Obama administration, was a major force in creating the 2015 Paris accord, is now almost alone among nations in rejecting this commitment. Professor Selin describes the long struggle to commit the international community to prepare for the worldwide climate crisis and he explains why tackling the crisis requires global action. Image: [Germanwatch](http://germanwatch.org/en ""), Countries most affected by extreme weather events (1992 - 2011)
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    “Green” Batteries for Renewable Energy

    Thu, May 25, 2017
    Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University is a member of an interdepartmental Harvard team or researchers developing "green" batteries. Such batteries are made from organic molecules (or synthesis) and are environmentally friendly. Dr. Aspuru-Guzik explains how candidate plant molecules are selected (his role in this project) and how such batteries work and store energy.
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    Probing Exoplanet Atmospheres

    Mon, May 8, 2017
    Atmospheric scientist Dr. Alexandria Johnson describes how scientists in her area of study apply their expertise to the young field of exoplanet atmospheres.
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    Communicating Climate Change through Science and Technology

    Tue, Apr 25, 2017
    Dr. Brian Helmuth discusses how climate change is experienced by different species on a very local level. Organisms such as mussels and fish in the same environment can be impacted by local ocean temperature and acidity very differently. Understanding these differences in this time of rapid climate changes can help us understand the variability of different species to adapt –or not. Dr. Helmuth also describes some of the innovative and international projects from his lab that engage young people in addressing the climate change challenge.
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