Lab Out Loud

[ This episode is sponsored by Siemens STEM Day Possibility Grant Sweepstakes ]   This week, the Lab Out Loud podcast welcomes Dr. Meenakshi Sharma to the show. From her unique perspective as a professor of science education who trains pre-service teachers, Dr. Sharma recently wrote an article detailing the characteristics of elementary teachers who effectively implement the Next Generation Science Standards. Dr. Sharma joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss these characteristics, explain how they are grounded in using real-world phenomena, and describe why this shift in science teacher training is so important.   Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/03/episode-263-characteristics-of-effective-science-teachers/

In this installment of #ScientistOutLoud, the Lab Out Loud podcast welcomes research and teaching professor Prashant Sharma from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Using morphology and genomic data, Dr. Sharma and his lab recently challenged our understanding of arachnid classification, by adding horseshoe crabs to the same class as spiders and scorpions. Dr. Sharma joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to remind them how modern classification works, describe why his team believes horseshoe crabs should be classified as arachnids, and discuss how this work showcases the process of science. About The Guest: Dr. Prashant Sharma is the principal investigator of the Sharma Lab in the department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The lab’s research broadly addresses macroevolution of invertebrates through the lenses of phylogenetics, genomics, and comparative development, with emphasis on chelicerate arthropods (from sharmalabuw.org) Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/0

Trish Shelton joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to highlight a new learning initiative from NSTA called the Professional Learning Unit (PLU). Designed as an asynchronous mini-course, a PLU is a bite-sized learning experience available on demand when a teacher, department or district needs it most. Listen to the show to hear more about this exciting new learning opportunity, and find out how you can participate in a PLU to help grow your practice. About The Guest Tricia is the NSTA Chief Learning Officer where she works to support educators and students across the county as they work to integrate contemporary research in science education into classroom teaching and learning (from NSTA Profile). Show notes at:  https://laboutloud.com/2022/02/episode-261-nsta-plu/

From the Learning Scientists podcast, cognitive psychologist Megan Sumeracki joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the science of learning. With a goal to make scientific research on learning more accessible, the Learning Scientists started as a Twitter account that has now grown to a popular podcast aimed at teachers, students and other educators. Megan joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to describe how scientists research learning, remind us about proper experimental design (and why it's important), and share how the Learning Scientists are helping to broadcast these discoveries.   Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/02/episode-260-the-learning-scientists/

For over a decade, the Bioart Scientific Image and Video Competition has provided an artistic vehicle for biological scientists to share their research beyond the confines of their lab and professional circles. Chris Curran, one of the Bioart judges, joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the Bioart competition, the intersection of art and science, and how teachers might use stunning visuals to inspire students and advance scientific literacy. About the Guest: Christine Perdan Curran is a professor of biological sciences at Northern Kentucky University and director of the NKU Neuroscience Program. She also represents the Society for Birth Defect Research & Prevention for the FASEB board, and serves as a judge for the FASEB Bioart competition. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2022/01/episode-259-bioart/

In this installment of the #ScientistOutLoud series, Dr. Carly Anne York joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about the importance of science communication, how she generates enthusiasm for science and the scientific process, and her efforts in making science accessible for students and the public. About The Guest: Dr. Carly Anne York is biology professor who studies animal behavior, physiology and biomechanics at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. Dr. York is also a squid biologist, science communicator and co-owner of an animal sanctuary. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/?p=5465

What are phenomena and how can science teachers use these events to engage students in science? Professor of Science Education Todd Campbell joins the Lab Out Loud Podcast to help start a series about using phenomena in science education. Listen now to hear about new strategies in how pre-service science educators are being prepared, where to start if you are beginning a journey to adopt NGSS, and how we can all use phenomena to help students explain the world around them. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/12/episode-257-using-phenomena/

Laurie Wallmark returns to the Lab Out Loud podcast to share two new stories celebrating women in STEM: Code Breaker, Spy Hunter about Elizabeth Friedman and Numbers in Motion about Sophie Kowalevski. Laurie joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to share these fascinating stories while discussing the role of STEM in schools and the importance of exposing all kids to STEM learning opportunities. About the Guest Laurie Wallmark is a computer science teacher and award-winning children’s author featuring picture book biographies that recognize women in STEM. Her breakout book Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine (Creston Books) debuted in 2017 and was readily recognized with numerous awards. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/11/episode-256-women-in-stem/

Sometimes surprising discoveries happen when scientists aren't looking for them. While analyzing biological samples from California Condors as part of a conservation effort, a team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance discovered an unusual phenomenon: two condors born in captivity that contained only maternal DNA. This startling observation confirmed a rare event known as facultative parthenogenesis - a form of asexual reproduction in females that typically reproduce sexually. From that team, Dr. Oliver Ryder joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to discuss his work in conservation biology, how his team made this discovery, and what implications it might have for the endangered California Condor and other species. About Our Guest Dr. Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., is the Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where he oversees research activities in the areas of molecular genetics, genomic studies, and genetic rescue efforts, including stem cell applications – all focused on re

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) was founded to provide teachers with content and engaging resources to teach evolution in an effective and respectful way. Now with downloadable units that meet every state’s evolution standards, TIES offers formidable resources for teaching evolution online. TIES Director Bertha Vazquez joins us to discuss how science teachers can access their powerful resources, tap into their training, and use their support to address critics of evolution. About Our Guest - Bertha Vazquez is a middle school science teacher in Miami-Dade County, and is the founder and director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science. https://laboutloud.com/?p=5400

To answer their questions about pumpkins, the Lab Out Loud podcast connects with a pumpkin expert. From the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Rebecca Brown joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about growing pumpkins, the surprising results of pumpkin breeding, and the pumpkin industry in the United States. About The Guest: Rebecca Brown is an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island in the Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, where she conducts research in the areas of sustainable vegetable production and laser scarecrows. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/10/episode-253-pumpkins/

Can all games provide learning activities? Is there a connection between scientific models and games? How can educators evaluate games and simulators as learning tools in the classroom? David Gagnon joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to discuss designing and evaluating games for learning, and describes how his team integrates learning theory to create meaningful games that make personal connections to students. About Our Guest David Gagnon is the Director of a game studio and research lab at the University of Wisconsin called Field Day. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/10/episode-252-games-and-simulators

As schools transitioned to online learning in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype a Scientist saw a increased demand for their service. Boasting a database of thousands of scientists, SKYPE a Scientist uses readily available video chat tools to connect scientists to teachers, students and other groups around the world. Founder and Executive Director Sarah McAnulty joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to talk about Skype a Scientist and its increased programming, how the resource grew during the pandemic, and it fills a growing need to connect students and teachers with scientific experts. About The Guest Sarah McAnulty is an American squid biologist who earned her bachelor's degree in marine science at Boston University in 2011 and got her PhD from the department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2019. She is the founder and executive director of Skype a Scientist, a non-profit organization that connects scientists and teachers around the world. Show notes at: https:

Erika Shugart joins the Lab Out Loud podcast for their 250th episode to discuss her role as NSTA Executive Director, share how the association can provide professional development and networking opportunities in a face to face world with digital demands, and explain her vision to provide equity and evidence in science education. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/09/episode-250-erika-shugart/

What happens when scientists abandon ethical standards in the pursuit of science? Can we trust scientific discoveries learned with fraudulent practices? To answer some of these questions and more, science writer Sam Kean joins The Lab Out Loud podcast to share from his new book, The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science. Listen to the show to hear Sam explain how he uses storytelling as a means to engage the listener in science while reminding us of the importance in following ethical considerations while executing science practices. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/08/episode-249-icepick-surgeon/

To close out season 14, the Lab Out Loud podcast reflects on experiences educating and learning through a pandemic. Co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler also re-connect with Fred Ende and his kids as they share their experiences learning science and communicating with others over the last year. Show notes: https://laboutloud.com/2021/06/episode-248-pandemic-reflections/

In the latest installment of their Scientist Out Loud series, Dr. Terry McGlynn joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to discuss his research with ants and other insects found in tropical rainforests. Since 1995, Terry has been working out of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica studying ants as a model system. Instead of the boring ants we might find in North America, these tropical species are far more interesting and can teach us a lot about social interactions, organizing behaviors, and balancing ecosystems. Terry joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to answer all of their ant questions, describe his path to become a myremocologist, and explain why we should care about ants in the world around us. About the Guest: Dr. Terry McGlynn is a Professor of Biology at Cal State Dominguez Hills and a Research Associate at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His research program focuses on the experimental natural history of ants. Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/05/episode-247-ants/

In an attempt to help students make visible connections between science and sound, Dr. Victor Minces and his team have created Listening to Waves - a suite of online tools that allow students to easily view, manipulate and generate sound. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Listening to Waves freely provides an online oscilloscope, signal generator, and spectrogram. Dr. Minces joins the Lab Out Loud podcast to share his appreciation of science and sound, explain how students can have fun exploring and playing with sound using his online tools, and describe how these tools have been helpful for learning science at home during the pandemic. About the Guest: Working as a research scientist in the department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego, Dr. Victor Minces has a background in physics, neuroscience, and the cognitive science of music. He is crazy about sound and is also an aspiring sound artist. Part of his intention with Listening to Waves is to spread that love. Show notes at: https://laboutloud

With a shift to online learning during the pandemic, students have relied on watching and creating more videos. But how has that impacted science education? To help answer that question, the Lab Out Loud Podcast invites Rhett Allain back to the show. Rhett shares some tips and suggestions for online learning - especially dealing with online math. Spoiler alert! He suggests that students make a video to showcase their learning. Rhett also describes his work as technical advisor at McGyver, then takes some time to geek out with co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler about science that is portrayed (or ignored) in pop culture. About the Guest: An Associate Professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University, Rhett is also a physics blogger for Wired and Medium, creates videos for YouTube and serves as the technical consultant for the TV show McGyver. Show notes: https://laboutloud.com/2021/04/episode-245-pop-culture-science/

As schooling has expanded into our homes during the pandemic, it's no surprise that online resources geared towards learning at home have been extremely valuable. That's why Lab Out Loud's exploration into science at home connects them with Ben Finio and Svenja Lohner, both senior staff scientists at Science Buddies. With an emphasis on providing kid-friendly, bite-sized STEM learning activities for students to do at home, Science Buddies also offers a robust array of resources like science news, interactive simulations, NGSS-aligned lesson plans, and the powerful Topic Selection Wizard - a personalized science interest quiz designed to help students find a project that fits their own interests. Listen to the podcast, then visit Science Buddies to find your next science activity, no matter where your classroom is located!   Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2021/04/episode-244-science-buddies/