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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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    Ancient Environmental Shifts and Evolution

    Mon, May 3, 2021
    Dr. Baumgartner describes how a warming climate some 20 million years ago led to the emergence of the famous grasslands of Kenya and other areas of East Africa. The introduced a better and more abundant form of nutrition for many creatures. The shift from forest/jungle to grasslands promoted species diversity and evolution, including that of our earliest human ancestors. Dr. Baumgartner explains how scientists use fossils to reconstruct the complex historical record of the Miocene.
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    Human Language Versus Animal Communication

    Mon, Apr 26, 2021
    Dr. Lieberman is a leading authority on the evolution of human language. In this discussion, he explains how the cognitive and physical apparatus for language evolved. He addresses the distinction between human language and the communication systems of diverse animals. He also discusses the issue of whether Neanderthals developed real language. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    The Long Reach of Polar Glacial Melts

    Mon, Apr 12, 2021
    The accelerating Arctic and Antarctic glacial melts will affect sea levels and land masses in different areas of the globe unevenly – and often far from the polar regions. Natalya Gomez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at McGill University discusses the impacts of the glacial melts. Image: [Belmont Media Center](https://scienceforthepublic.org/earth/the-long-reach-of-polar-glacial-melts)
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    A Wearable Brain-Stimulation Device

    Mon, Mar 22, 2021
    Dr. Kelly explains a challenging project underway: the design and testing of a brainwave recording (EEG) device that targets neural circuits with great accuracy. This device will help in the development of precise therapeutic diagnoses and treatments of brain damage and disorders. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Neutron Stars and Gravitational Waves

    Mon, Mar 8, 2021
    The detection in 2017 of gravitational waves created by the collision of two neutron stars was a major breakthrough for astronomers. In this talk Dr. Berger discusses the confirmation of Einstein’s predicted gravitational waves; new insights about the structure of neutron stars; and the means to determine the accuracy of Hubble’s Constant. Image: Sam Willis, Pexels.com
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    Probing the Causes of Cancer

    Mon, Feb 22, 2021
    Dr. Denis is a leading researcher in the study of breast cancer, with a particular focus on the disproportionate occurrence of breast cancer in economically and socially stressed minorities. He studies the combination of socioeconomic factors and certain (BET) proteins in both breast and prostate cancers in his research. This mix of social and biological drivers is of increasing interest in medical research. Dr. Denis explains how this broader research is designed and tested –and how it will affect the fight against cancer today. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Creating and Testing Vaccines

    Mon, Feb 15, 2021
    Dr. Douam explains how scientists unravel the mechanisms by which viruses such as covid-19 (SARS-CV2) invade cells and overcome the body’s defenses. We learn about the development of effective vaccines and the difference between mRNA and DNA vaccines. And we learn about the value of using humanized mice –mice engrafted with human tissues– which advance both the understanding of human immune responses and the improvement of vaccines. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    I Wonder Why? Magic, Mystery and Mathematics in the Mundane

    Thu, Jan 14, 2021
    Dr. Mahadevan shares his extraordinary gift for revealing the underlying structures of objects, systems and processes in Nature. One does not need to be a mathematician to appreciate the properties of what seems ordinary when Dr. Mahadevan demonstrates how to look, how to think in a whole new way. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    How Ocean Acidification Harms Shellfish

    Mon, Jan 11, 2021
    Dr. Cameron is a marine ecologist and carbonate chemist who studies the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on marine bivalves and their fisheries. In this discussion Dr Cameron explains the cause of ocean acidification, the harm to ocean life, and especially to shellfish. She also describes what can and must be done to address ocean acidification. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Living in Space: Artificial Gravity and Bioastronautics

    Mon, Jan 4, 2021
    Dr. Diaz Artiles describes how space life in zero gravity affects the human body and how space engineers are taking on the challenge. Her field of bioastronautics develops engineering innovations like artificial gravity, specialized spacesuits, and physical analyses of the effects of space environment on the human body. As we move toward colonization of space, this is the science to watch! Image: Belmont Media Center
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