A little while ago, I had the opportunity to catch one of the first local screenings of the new Jane Goodall documentary "Jane" from National Geographic. Jane Goodall of course is a well-known primatologist, environmental activist and head of the Goodall Institute. One of the world's leading experts on chimpanzees, Goodall is a Dame Commander of …
I already mentioned the sessions that I was a part of at ASTC 2017. I'm really excited to talk about my work and projects. But I'm even more excited by the many other sessions that my youth programs team at the California Academy of Sciences are going to be leading at ASTC. The Expanded Learning …
My organization the California Academy of Sciences has been incredible in supporting those affected by the devastating wildfires that ripped through much of the North Bay earlier this month. Last week, we opened our doors for free to people directly impacted by the fires, resulting in tens of thousands of visitors getting a welcome respite …
I love this animated gif of the weather station on the living roof of the California Academy of Sciences. There’s something calming and reassuring about it. Weather stations are part of the automated heating and cooling system of the museum. They monitor wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and humidity. Data is fed into a …
I am thrilled to be returning to the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) conference this year, happening next weekend in San Jose, California. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been to ASTC, one of my favorite science education conventions. And it’s great to have it in our backyard, just a few miles …
One of the many awesome science fortune cookies given out at the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability open house at the Cal Academy yesterday. More about the Cassidine beetle and its unique fecal defense: The larvae of tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae), so called because of the turtle-like appearance of the adults, have an odd habit. …
Park rangers are unsung naturalists and science educators. But they serve a critical, front-line role in facilitating public engagement and understanding of natural systems and phenomena. Plus, they get a killer uniform. This beautifully designed poster by Tyler Nordgren emphasizes how bad ass park rangers are. I’m putting a print of this up in my …
Check out this adorable Luristan newt or Kaiser’s spotted newt, native to Zagros mountains in Iran. He’s for the first time on exhibit in the Steinhart aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences. Such a cutie!
I really liked this piece in Slate magazine on citizen science: “Want to Help Shape the Future?” by Darlene Cavalier and Jason Lloyd. They really hit home the idea that not only is it important for science that people everywhere contribute and participate in it, it’s also important for society and the individuals involved. The key …
On Friday at the museum we are all rushing to finish various tasks before the big holiday weekend. My colleague Lindzy comes by and says, “Hey, Rik, do you have a sec for a nature moment on the balcony?” I walk out to the balcony of our floor facing the ball field behind the …