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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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    How Ecosystems Work: From the Smallest to the Largest Scales

    Mon, Dec 14, 2020
    Dr. O’Dwyer says that “ecological systems are the archetypal complex systems.” He describes how these systems, regardless of scale, and despite their diversity, share underlying signatures and patterns. How the components of ecosystems interact and adapt to their environments is a matter of intense study today when so many species are under threat by environmental and climate changes. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Neural Disruption and Motor Dysfunctions

    Thu, Dec 10, 2020
    Dr. Crittenden describes the complex neural mechanisms that make ordinary movement possible. She explains how neural disruptions cause Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other dysfunctions. This research uses sophisticated analysis, very advanced technology, and genetic engineering. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    From Sea-Sponge to Skyscraper: Bioinspired Engineering

    Mon, Nov 16, 2020
    Matt Fernandes and his team at SEAS look to Nature for examples of quality engineering, and one of their investigations has led to innovation in design. The skeletal structure of the Venus Flower sea sponge (a.k.a. glass sponge) can bear extraordinary weight. Fernandes hopes to apply this unique structure to next-generation architecture and engineering design. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Climate Change Brings Changes to Medical Training

    Wed, Nov 11, 2020
    Dr. Basu explains the growing concern in medical circles that climate change is introducing unexpected diseases and other health conditions. He describes how medical training is changing to prepare future professionals. Image: Belmont Media Center
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    Innovations for the People: The GEAR Lab at MIT

    Mon, Oct 19, 2020
    Dr. Winter discusses the cost-saving devices designed by the engineers at the GEAR Lab at MIT. Award-winning innovations include in-home desalination, drip-irrigation, and a famous wheelchair that can navigate very rough terrain.
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    Good Diet, Good Health

    Thu, Oct 8, 2020
    The typical American diet can be considered a health threat. The combination of processed food, excess red meat, high salt and excess sugar are associated with the high incidence of obesity, diabetes-2, heart disease, certain cancers, and other diseases. But there is a solution. Dr. Willett is the most cited nutritionist internationally. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the recipient of many national and international awards for his research. Included in his many famous research projects are the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Together, these cohorts have involved nearly 300,000 men and women with repeated dietary assessments, providing the most detailed information on the long-term health consequences of food choices. Dr. Willett discusses how diet directly affects health, and how people can avoid the numerous diseases associated with harmful diet. He also talks about his best-selling book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. And he explains how misinformation about diet and health must be addressed by professionals.
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    Climate Change and Ocean Circulation Systems

    Mon, Sep 28, 2020
    Dr. Bower explains the structure and dynamics of deep ocean currents and the vital role of these currents in maintaining the Earth’s climate. She discusses the concern among climate and ocean scientists about one of the major systems, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the implications of a slowdown in that system. Dr. Bower also describes the technical challenges of measuring systems like the AMOC.
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    The World Health Organization: Lifeline for the World’s Children

    Tue, Sep 8, 2020
    Most children in the world are not healthy, and many –especially in impoverished nations – are vulnerable to serious illnesses. Dr. Hamer explains why the World Health Organization is the indispensable lifeline for children around the world, and why the U.S. has an obligation to participate with other nations in the work of the W.H.O. (Photo: [Flickr/Eric Bridiers](https://www.flickr.com/photos/us-mission/6946430257/in/photolist-9J42FX-bzQgGV-2iPVeMi-p1nFPc-2iPQRiz-bzQgLD-bmVrgQ-RUuDDK-bBSFFy-2fzoxwS-cPJT3w-cPJSEm-2iPQQAN-eFmzvF-2iQqbXn-2fLTTTE-nmDuL2-drUZxa-y4QdhM-nM2D4K-9Ji7mk-28VN4Rj-26dMzVE-23zvEU2-G9ivXe-8GtQBZ-2gahZVs-8GZzEj-8DNtUd-8GtNWR-8ET3eb-8ESVQE-8DNuSJ-8zHSDt-7yuQFL-8ET6e1-787EzG-V2jPWk-6JEhr3-24SWwZ1-6JEhr7-W6DRZ-nmdwsG-2jtGv8M-nCqdTV-2jD8Nsy-2ikCD8D-2iPVfrK-5XofFi-2iAXPfv/) , image cropped)
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    Atmospheric Tipping Points

    Thu, Sep 3, 2020
    Dr. Cziczo explains the difference between millions of years of natural warming cycles and the more recent anthropogenic warming caused by the production of more CO2. He discusses the implications of atmospheric CO2 buildup and the limitations of geoengineering and sequestration as solutions to this problem. Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://scienceforthepublic.org/earth/atmospheric-tipping-points)
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    Explaining and Measuring the Expanding Universe

    Fri, Aug 28, 2020
    Dr. Martini explains how astronomers now calculate the expansion of the universe and why the expansion is accelerating. He is the Instrument Scientist for one of the most advanced astronomical surveys of the century: the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The DESI This highly anticipated project launches unique technology and its massive data is expected to produce the foundation of a “new physics.” Image: [Belmont Media Center](http://scienceforthepublic.org/cosmos/explaining-and-measuring-the-expanding-universe)
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