The Decomposers | Big Picture Science
Featuring my interview with author Jack Lohmann about his book "White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus in Our Cells, in Our Food, and in Our World"
Did You Know Ep. 4: Shannon Geary tries bird watching for the first time.
First-time birder Shannon Geary, host of the "Did You Know" series in the CivicSciTV Newsroom, joins the Brookline Bird Club for a walk through Franklin Park in Boston to learn about birding.
βOne day, a bird just captures your attention in a way it never has before,β says Cliff Cook, club president. That moment, he explains, is what birders call your spark bird.
With guidance from experienced birders, Shannon learns to identify birds by sound and logs her sightings in eBird, a global citizen science database. What begins as a quiet walk becomes a practice of attention, connection, and public participation in science.
π Learn more about eBird: https://ebird.org/home
π¦ Brookline Bird Club: https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org
π§ Narrated by: Shannon Geary
π₯ Produced by: CivicSciTV Network (Civic Science Media Lab)
βOne day, a bird just captures your attention in a way it never has before,β says Cliff Cook, club president. That moment, he explains, is what birders call your spark bird.
With guidance from experienced birders, Shannon learns to identify birds by sound and logs her sightings in eBird, a global citizen science database. What begins as a quiet walk becomes a practice of attention, connection, and public participation in science.
π Learn more about eBird: https://ebird.org/home
π¦ Brookline Bird Club: https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org
π§ Narrated by: Shannon Geary
π₯ Produced by: CivicSciTV Network (Civic Science Media Lab)
Some Chemicals are Forever | Big Picture Science
In this episode, we talk to the reporter who broke open the story about a decades-long corporate coverup regarding forever chemicals, look at what we know about their health effects, and consider how a kneecapping of the EPAβs regulatory power may weaken the best tool we have for protecting ourselves from PFAS contamination.
Featuring my interview with Rachel Frazin, Energy and Environment Policy reporter for The Hill, and co-author of βPoisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated Americaβ
Featuring my interview with Rachel Frazin, Energy and Environment Policy reporter for The Hill, and co-author of βPoisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated Americaβ
Did You Know Ep. 3: Community science in action through the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project in Maine
In this episode of Did You Know in the CivicSciTV Newsroom, Correspondent Shannon Geary spotlights a student-powered effort to track an invasive pest threatening forests across the Eastern Seaboard. Led by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project engages thousands of studentsβfrom Massachusetts to Nova Scotiaβin hands-on ecological monitoring. The initiative is part of GMRIβs broader Ecosystem Investigation Network, which supports community science research in over 35 coastal communities annually.
The hemlock woolly adelgid, a sap-sucking insect native to Japan, was first reported in the U.S. in 1951. While it has devastated hemlock populations throughout much of the East Coast, it has yet to be detected in parts of northern New England. According to Meggie Harvey, GMRIβs Senior Program Manager, βWeβre some of the last places in the country that still have really healthy Hemlock trees and where this pest isnβt found, and so kids are going out every year to check their same trees to see if theyβre still healthy, to potentially be the first ones to spot this pest.β
Students participating in the project inspect hemlock trees for signs of infestation, documenting their findings in a public database used to inform forest management decisions. These efforts have also uncovered key climate trends. βThe data collected by these community scientists has shown that there is a strong link between temperature changes and the spread of the adelgid,β Harvey explains. During cold snaps, populations declineβbut as winters grow milder in the Gulf of Maine, the pest spreads more easily.
GMRI emphasizes action and optimism in the face of ecological change. βItβs really hard to go out and see a bunch of dead or dying trees,β says Harvey, βbut we try to focus on actions that are hopeful and positive and kind of bring people together, even as weβre seeing rapid changes.β
Harvey also points to the essential role of local knowledge: βNo one observes or notices or is prepared to document the change in a community like somebody who lives there and works there.β She adds, βHaving people who are invested in that place and who know the place well is critical in documenting changes that weβre seeing in our communities and our ecosystems.β
To explore more about GMRIβs community science initiatives, visit https://teach.gmri.org/ or access classroom resources at teach.gmri.org.
The hemlock woolly adelgid, a sap-sucking insect native to Japan, was first reported in the U.S. in 1951. While it has devastated hemlock populations throughout much of the East Coast, it has yet to be detected in parts of northern New England. According to Meggie Harvey, GMRIβs Senior Program Manager, βWeβre some of the last places in the country that still have really healthy Hemlock trees and where this pest isnβt found, and so kids are going out every year to check their same trees to see if theyβre still healthy, to potentially be the first ones to spot this pest.β
Students participating in the project inspect hemlock trees for signs of infestation, documenting their findings in a public database used to inform forest management decisions. These efforts have also uncovered key climate trends. βThe data collected by these community scientists has shown that there is a strong link between temperature changes and the spread of the adelgid,β Harvey explains. During cold snaps, populations declineβbut as winters grow milder in the Gulf of Maine, the pest spreads more easily.
GMRI emphasizes action and optimism in the face of ecological change. βItβs really hard to go out and see a bunch of dead or dying trees,β says Harvey, βbut we try to focus on actions that are hopeful and positive and kind of bring people together, even as weβre seeing rapid changes.β
Harvey also points to the essential role of local knowledge: βNo one observes or notices or is prepared to document the change in a community like somebody who lives there and works there.β She adds, βHaving people who are invested in that place and who know the place well is critical in documenting changes that weβre seeing in our communities and our ecosystems.β
To explore more about GMRIβs community science initiatives, visit https://teach.gmri.org/ or access classroom resources at teach.gmri.org.
What Trump's Proposed NASA Cuts could mean for Science
Social media clip made to accompany Big Picture Science ep. The Axe Comes to NASA
Skeptic Check: Cryptids | Big Picture Science
Bigfoot could get official status if proposed legislation passes making it the state cryptid of California. If nothing else, the effort shows that fascination with cryptids has an outsized footprint on our culture. We look at why mythical creatures continue to capture imaginations - as well as passions - of die-hard believers, despite no evidence for their existence. An author uncovers the origin of a beloved hoax in the American West and its unexpected ties to a real animal and historical medic...
Did You Know Ep.2: Harvard Forestβs Schoolyard Ecology Program
In this episode of "Did You Know" in the CivicSciTV Newsroom, Correspondent Shannon Geary explores the Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology Program, which has been engaging K-12 students in ecological research since 2004. Founded by a group of ecologists at Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, the program was designed to bring real-world scientific research into schoolyards, allowing students to participate in the same data collection and analysis as professional scientists.
How It Works
Students and teachers collect ecological data on their local environments and contribute it to Harvard Forestβs publicly accessible database, which now contains over 50,000 data points. There are currently 88 schools actively participating, spanning from Massachusetts to New York City, Washington D.C., and Georgia.
Key Research Projects
β’ Buds, Leaves, and Global Warming
The most popular project, based on Dr. John OβKeefeβs phenology research, tracks seasonal changes in deciduous trees. Students observe leaf color changes, bud bursts, and growing seasons, helping scientists study climate change impacts over time.
β’ Our Changing Forests
Inspired by Dr. Dave Orwigβs work, this project has students monitor forest plots to measure tree growth and carbon sequestration.
β’ Woolly Bully: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Since 2004, students have tracked the spread of this invasive pest, providing valuable data for state foresters and researchers.
β’ Water in the Landscape: Vernal Pools (Currently Paused)
Originally led by Dr. Betsy Colburn, this project focused on biodiversity in seasonal pools. Some teachers still continue this work despite a lack of current training.
A Growing Community of Citizen Scientists
Beyond data collection, the program fosters engagement through trainings, workshops, and community storytelling. Workshops cover data literacy, graphing, and science communication, and educators, students, and researchers collaborate to turn classroom observations into meaningful scientific contributions.
As Katharine Hinkle, Youth Education Manager, explains:
βAnd I hear anecdotally from teachers, how the students have a lot of pride for their trees. They like to show off their trees to their family and friends when they're in the neighborhood. And just building those connections, you know, is really powerful, because we can't have a future generation who are going to advocate for the natural world if they don't have a relationship with the natural world. You can't fight for something you don't know. And so we want to make sure that they know their world.β
How to Get Involved
β’ Explore Harvard Forestβs LTER public database: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data
β’ Attend trainings and workshops: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/schoolyard-lter-program
β’ Follow The Schoolyard Scientist Substack newsletter: https://schoolyardscientists.substack.com
β’ Listen to The Schoolyard Scientist Podcast: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/schoolyard-podcast
β’ Educators can contact Katharine Hinkle to bring the program to their classrooms: hinkle@fas.harvard.edu
By connecting students with long-term ecological research, the program not only provides valuable climate data but also fosters a new generation of environmental stewards.
Correction
In the video, Katharine Hinkle's name is misspelled. We regret the mistake.
π± Join our community on:
β LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-media-lab/
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Relevant Hashtags: #CivicSciTV #SciComm #civicsciencenews #civicscience #didyouknow #didyouknowcivicscitv #harvarduniversity
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Get more analysis, relevant links, and related coverage across video, audio, and print by visiting the Civic Science Media Lab Terminal: β https://civicsciencemedia.org
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Β© CivicSciTV Network. Any reproduction or republication of this video or audio, in whole or in part, is allowed provided proper citations are included.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Subscription Link: @CivicSciTV
How It Works
Students and teachers collect ecological data on their local environments and contribute it to Harvard Forestβs publicly accessible database, which now contains over 50,000 data points. There are currently 88 schools actively participating, spanning from Massachusetts to New York City, Washington D.C., and Georgia.
Key Research Projects
β’ Buds, Leaves, and Global Warming
The most popular project, based on Dr. John OβKeefeβs phenology research, tracks seasonal changes in deciduous trees. Students observe leaf color changes, bud bursts, and growing seasons, helping scientists study climate change impacts over time.
β’ Our Changing Forests
Inspired by Dr. Dave Orwigβs work, this project has students monitor forest plots to measure tree growth and carbon sequestration.
β’ Woolly Bully: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Since 2004, students have tracked the spread of this invasive pest, providing valuable data for state foresters and researchers.
β’ Water in the Landscape: Vernal Pools (Currently Paused)
Originally led by Dr. Betsy Colburn, this project focused on biodiversity in seasonal pools. Some teachers still continue this work despite a lack of current training.
A Growing Community of Citizen Scientists
Beyond data collection, the program fosters engagement through trainings, workshops, and community storytelling. Workshops cover data literacy, graphing, and science communication, and educators, students, and researchers collaborate to turn classroom observations into meaningful scientific contributions.
As Katharine Hinkle, Youth Education Manager, explains:
βAnd I hear anecdotally from teachers, how the students have a lot of pride for their trees. They like to show off their trees to their family and friends when they're in the neighborhood. And just building those connections, you know, is really powerful, because we can't have a future generation who are going to advocate for the natural world if they don't have a relationship with the natural world. You can't fight for something you don't know. And so we want to make sure that they know their world.β
How to Get Involved
β’ Explore Harvard Forestβs LTER public database: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data
β’ Attend trainings and workshops: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/schoolyard-lter-program
β’ Follow The Schoolyard Scientist Substack newsletter: https://schoolyardscientists.substack.com
β’ Listen to The Schoolyard Scientist Podcast: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/schoolyard-podcast
β’ Educators can contact Katharine Hinkle to bring the program to their classrooms: hinkle@fas.harvard.edu
By connecting students with long-term ecological research, the program not only provides valuable climate data but also fosters a new generation of environmental stewards.
Correction
In the video, Katharine Hinkle's name is misspelled. We regret the mistake.
π± Join our community on:
β LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-media-lab/
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Relevant Hashtags: #CivicSciTV #SciComm #civicsciencenews #civicscience #didyouknow #didyouknowcivicscitv #harvarduniversity
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Get more analysis, relevant links, and related coverage across video, audio, and print by visiting the Civic Science Media Lab Terminal: β https://civicsciencemedia.org
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Β© CivicSciTV Network. Any reproduction or republication of this video or audio, in whole or in part, is allowed provided proper citations are included.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Subscription Link: @CivicSciTV
In Boston, scientists & others share why they are standing up for science. #standupforscience2025
On March 7, 2025, Stand Up for Science rallies took place in Washington DC and 31 other cities. In Boston, CivicSciTV's Shannon Geary recorded the sounds from the rally as attendees answered why they were standing up for science. Many expressed that science is a lifelong passion and the driving force behind medical breakthroughs, environmental protection, and overall societal progress. Some warned that funding cuts and new policy decisions threaten to undo decades of advancement by stripping away critical scientific tools and insights. And so much more!
Beyond voicing concerns, some attendees called for proactive civic engagement. They urged individuals to contact their representatives, attend town halls, and foster community collaboration to ensure that science remains a public good. The message was clear: protecting scientific research and innovation is essential for securing a better and more informed future for everyone. οΏΌ
Learn about Stand Up for Science and their goals: https://standupforscience2025.org/
π± Join our community on:
β LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-media-lab/
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Relevant Hashtags: #CivicSciTV #SciComm #civicsciencenews #civicscience #standupforscience #boston #bostonnews #civicscitvnews #standupforscience2025
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Get more analysis, relevant links, and related coverage across video, audio, and print by visiting the Civic Science Media Lab Terminal: β https://civicsciencemedia.org
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Β© CivicSciTV Network. Any reproduction or republication of this video or audio, in whole or in part, is allowed provided proper citations are included.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Subscription Link: @CivicSciTV
Beyond voicing concerns, some attendees called for proactive civic engagement. They urged individuals to contact their representatives, attend town halls, and foster community collaboration to ensure that science remains a public good. The message was clear: protecting scientific research and innovation is essential for securing a better and more informed future for everyone. οΏΌ
Learn about Stand Up for Science and their goals: https://standupforscience2025.org/
π± Join our community on:
β LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-media-lab/
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Relevant Hashtags: #CivicSciTV #SciComm #civicsciencenews #civicscience #standupforscience #boston #bostonnews #civicscitvnews #standupforscience2025
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Get more analysis, relevant links, and related coverage across video, audio, and print by visiting the Civic Science Media Lab Terminal: β https://civicsciencemedia.org
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Β© CivicSciTV Network. Any reproduction or republication of this video or audio, in whole or in part, is allowed provided proper citations are included.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
π Subscription Link: @CivicSciTV
Preventable | Big Picture Science
Two infectious diseases that weβve been able to prevent for a half-century are re-emerging. One of the most contagious viruses in the world, measles, is spreading in the United States. Anti-vax sentiment has driven vaccination rates down leading to outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. The U.S. has also seen an uptick in cases of tuberculosis which has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infection globally. The author John Green shares how his travels to Sierra Leone inspired his new book about...
Citizen scientists are actively tracking light pollution. We talk to Kelly Beatty, an award-winning science journalist, astronomer, and longtime advocate for dark-sky policies
SOMERVILLE, MASS β Light pollution is erasing our night skiesβbut citizen scientists are stepping up to fight back. Through projects like Globe at Night, everyday people are gathering data to track the rapid brightening of our skies, providing crucial insights for scientists, educators, and policymakers.CivicSciTV Correspondent Shannon Geary reports from Massachusetts on how citizen scientists are pushing for change through the legislative efforts to regulate light pollution, and shares how educ...
The Difference Between Biosignatures and Technosignatures
A TikTok animation written, illustrated, and edited by Shannon Geary. Produced for Big Picture Science.
Mars Used to Look Like Earth!
Animation illustrating an audio clip from my interview with astrobiologist Nathalie Cabrol for Spotlight on SETI.
Salton Sea TikTok
Informational TikTok video about the Salton Sea and Lithium mining
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