Lab Out Loud

This week on Lab Out Loud, Hakhamanesh Mostafavi, PhD student in the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University and co-author of a recent paper, Identifying genetic variants that affect viability in large cohorts, joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about the evidence for and examples of continuing human evolution.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2017/12/episode-177-human-evolution/

This week we're proud to introduce their youngest guest ever on the show. Ten year old Elaina Garg and her younger sister Kaylie wrote The Organic Coloring Book with the help of their father Neil, a professor at UCLA. Designed to help kids learn about common chemicals around them, the Organic Coloring Book features over 25 pages of chemicals to draw, complete with Cheesy the Mouse as a guide for the reader. Elaina and Neil join Lab Out Loud to talk about why they made this coloring book, how they chose the chemical structures to feature, and how this experience made Neil a better teacher.

Show notes at:

https://laboutloud.com/2017/11/episode-176-organic-coloring-book/

Making his third appearance on Lab Out Loud, we welcome science storyteller Sam Kean back to the show.  As author of The Disappearing Spoon and The Violinist's Thumb, Sam has a new book out called Caesar's Last Breath: Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us.  Sam joins us to talk about how a chemistry thought problem lead to the title of his new book, why we should care about the air around us, and also shares some insights on science writing.

 

Show notes at: 

https://laboutloud.com/2017/11/episode-175-caesars-last-breath/

It's Mole Day! Celebrated on October 23, Mole Day recognizes Avogadro's number (6.02 x 10^23), which is a basic unit of measurement in chemistry. Lab Out Loud co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler discuss mole day, reminisce on how they have celebrated it, and celebrate Maurice Oehler, the founder of the National Mole Day Foundation. How do you celebrate Mole Day? Leave a comment at laboutloud.com, tweet a picture to @laboutloud or leave a message at facebook.com/LabOutLoud/.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2017/10/episode-174-mole-day/

 

Science degrees can be found in the most intriguing careers. This week Lab Out Loud talks with Becca Ransohoff, an analytical chemist for MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati, Ohio. In June, MadTree released Entropic Theory (a hoppy, juicy IPA) with a special can launch party whereby a portion of the proceeds were donated to iSPACE, a local non-profit that promotes education of science, engineering, technology and math for kids. Also a product of science and research, MadTree invested over two years of planning and testing to develop Entropic Theory. Becca joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about Entropic Theory and the science behind its creation, while describing her job as an analytical chemist at MadTree Brewing.

 

Show notes at:  http://laboutloud.com/2017/10/episode-173-entropic-theory/

Continuing with a theme of teacher created content, Lab Out Loud is proud to share Matt Blackman's physics games and apps. As physics teacher and adjunct instructor at Rutgers Graduate School of Education, Matt founded The Universe & More where he creates educational games and apps such as Crack the Circuit and Action Graphing. Matt joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about his games, how they might supplement and enhance (but not replace) good teaching, and how you can use them with the companion worksheets in your science classroom.

Show notes at: http://laboutloud.com/2017/09/episode-172-crack-the-circuit/

As the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) takes full effect this fall, educators might be curious to know how this new legislation affects STEM education. To help us navigate through ESSA, Lab Out Loud welcomes James Brown to the show. As executive director of the STEM Education Coalition, James works with the Coalition to raise awareness in Congress, the Administration, and other organizations about the critical role that STEM education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century. James joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about ESSA, how it impacts states and STEM education, and how teachers can get more involved as this law rolls out.   Show notes at: http://laboutloud.com/2017/09/episode-170-essa/

From Math for America, Lab Out Loud welcomes John Ewing (President) and Megan Roberts (Executive Director) to the show. With a goal of making teaching a viable, rewarding and respected career, MƒA provides a mechanism that encourages professional STEM educators to engage in their subject matter while working in a collaborative and supportive environment. In practice, MƒA's fellowship program engages New York City teachers to engage in professional growth within a professional community that receives professional recognition. John and Megan join co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss the success of the Math for America model, how it can be replicated across the nation, and emphasize the importance of teaching as a true profession.

Show notes at: http://laboutloud.com/2017/09/episode-170-math-for-america/

To kickoff season 11, Lab Out Loud welcomes Christopher Preece to the show.  As a high school chemistry teacher, Chris recently created Che[M]ystery - a graphic novel that teaches chemistry concepts. Written by Preece and illustrated by Josh Reynolds, Che[M]ystery follows the adventures of two kids as they gain superpowers, fight a radioactive monster and learn some science along the way. Chris joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss how he created Che[M]ystery, and shares how he uses it to capture student imaginations in his chemistry classes.

Show notes at: http://laboutloud.com/2017/08/episode-169-chemystery

To close season 10, co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler welcome back Dr. Sean B. Carroll - award-winning scientist, writer, and educator. Dr. Carroll's new book, The Serengeti Rules, examines the fundamental question of how life works as he uncovers the rules that determine the number of species in an environment and the diversity within that community. What this molecular biologist learns in the field provides insights into evolution, conservation and functional environmentalism that affect us all on the local and global level. Listen to the show to hear how Dr. Carroll shares compelling stories of science that include exploration with epic adventures, surprise, and even a little detective work in The Serengeti Rules.

Show notes at: http://laboutloud.com/2017/05/episode-168-serengeti-rules/