Science 360

Recently, I've been approached by colleagues about various issues they've found or heard about. I appreciate that they come to me to see what I think. This is what a collegial workplace should look like. One came and brought up the topic of wellness through cold plunging. Another brought up concerns about how AI will affect our classes. I constantly get challenged over the debate between electric and gas-powered cars. Still, another brought up the issue of cloud seeding.I decided to share some thoughts around these topics (although I left out the cloud seeding part of the recording...maybe another time). I've always said that as teachers, we need to be ready with informed answers because we want to encourage our students to ask questions. I never want to shut down a good question nor placate it with a minimalist answer or simply tell them to go find out for themselves. I like to employ the "teach" part of my job title.So here is a brief rundown on three of these topics from my point of view. I hope you think through YOUR answer to these issues. If you have opinions or knowledge that differs from mine, please reach out at astrostephenson11@gmail.com and let's dialogue and allow me to learn from you.

My greatest desire for this podcast is to show you, the teacher, how teaching can be. In its purest sense and in the light of First People's Principles of Learning, there is generally one in the room who is about to lead a discussion on a particular topic. But it is not shared without great respect for the ones listening, offering up the opportunity to differ, interpret, analyze and question.And when it comes to space, inevitably there will be questions asked that you don't know the answer to. But every time this happens, allow it to add to your knowledge bank so that if it comes up again in the future, you're ready.So this may be a discussion about the Moon, but it is more than that. It is as teaching should be: multiple people involved in a respectable conversation, delving deeper and deeper into a topic. I hope you notice and can think of ways that this conversation could lead into activities of inquiry, presentation by the students, group-lead gallery walks involving art and science and history, filled with opportunities to express a newfound and, indeed, profound understanding of this heavenly body we call the Moon. Where could your lesson go next? What planet or star or galaxy do you want to learn about to lead further lessons and explorations of space? If you allow the teacher mind to go wild, the possibilities are endless.

Here are two new twists...firstly, I'm the one getting interviewed on this episode, and secondly, it's my wife asking the questions!Yes, I invited Sheryl to turn the mic on me after I was inspired to do so when my guest from episode 88 said she was curious about why I got into teaching. That was Marika Cullis-Suzuki so be sure to check that episode out.This episode is a bit of an experiment. I hypothesize that behind every great podcaster is an even greater spouse. I'd love to do this sort of episode regularly. I'm not oblivious to the fact that there have been many times when I thought I was saying something intelligent, only to have Sheryl shed so much more light on it! I guess we all need someone in our lives to point out that we don't know it all. Please connect with me to let me know if you want Sheryl to come on with me regularly. You can email me and give me some feedback on this:astrostephenson11@gmail.comAs usual, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple or Spotify to help with the algorithms.

What if teaching was less about tradition and more about breaking the rules? What if teaching put less emphasis on predetermined learning outcomes and standardized tests and more emphasis on discovery and inquiry?What you would have would be an educational system that inspires, that evokes meaning and puts the learner first, even over the dusty lesson plans that would have fit right in if they were delivered 20 years ago.This is the mind of Dr. Ross Laird, a post-secondary educator, an educational consultant and a progressive thinker who forges ahead with the right kind of change, even in the face of resistance from the mainstream institution of school. A man after my own heart.Ross was preaching to the choir in this conversation. And I hope you'll join us for the next chorus, because as I like to say, teaching really can be this way.But let's let Ross explain. He speaks so well and his evidence-based points are so well made.Please find more of his work at https://www.rosslaird.com where you will find his blogs, articles and his Tedx talk.I'm also going to link to my book "Beyond the Classroom". We talk about the section of the book where I wrote about Ross after his visit to my school over 15 years ago.You can get in touch with Ross and have him come to your school for a brilliant pro-d if you email him at ross@rosslaird.comBe sure to check out more episodes of Science 360 such as my discussion with Dr. Marika Cullis-Suzuki where we discuss the intrinsic value of scientific knowledge and how important it is to inspire our students with the wonder of nature. Or how about a discussion about AI with Dr. Tim Dasey. There are lots of conversations that will amplify what you do at school and in your science classroom.Please rate and review and subscribe on your favourite podcasting platform.

What an exhilarating experience hosting Dr. Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, the host of The Nature of Things, the world's longest-running science show for over 60 years!A cornerstone in science communication, it's now entering a new era on the CBC Gem app, offering modern content to enhance your science lessons. Make sure to explore the show for a fresh perspective that can invigorate your science curriculum.Sarika, a passionate science communicator and planet advocate, stresses the vital role of educators, emphasizing our impact on climate awareness. Together, we affirm that education is paramount, but action starts today.Infuse knowledge, hope, and action into your science classes, drawing inspiration from Sarika's infectious energy. This episode will reignite your excitement for the classroom, fueling your dedication to teaching science.Tune in and let's collectively drive change in science education!

Dive deep into the oceanic realms as Science 360 brings you this riveting episode. Join me, Tim Stephenson in an engaging conversation with Dr. Isabella Reeves, a pioneering researcher delving into the genetic fabric of orcas.Discover how her groundbreaking analysis links orca pods worldwide to a common ancestry, unveiling the intricate history of these marine dynasties. Hear the story of Old Tom, an orca that assisted whalers 100 years ago.This episode is your backstage pass to the fascinating world of orca genetics and how it connects to your classroom. Get ready for a whale of a time as science takes center stage. Connect with Isabella at the Cetacean Research Centre, Southern Shark Ecology Group, College of Science & Engineering, Flinders University, Australia.X: @bellaa_reevesLinkedIn: Isabella ReevesEmail: isabella.reeves@flinders.edu.au

Jo-Anne St. Godard has had a circular economy mindset for decades. A simple Google search and you will see that Jo-Anne has been advocating for an economy that relies less on extraction and new goods from raw materials, and moreso on repurposing existing materials into a second, third and fourth life. A regular guest on news reports, a speaker at conferences and lobbying the government for a more responsible, lower carbon emitting, circular economy.Now as the Executive Director of the Circular Innovation Council of Canada, Jo-Anne is one of Canada's leaders in the shift away from consumerism, and is a strong advocate for adding value to what has traditionally been "thrown away". If you listen to enough of my episodes, you will know by now that I am right there with Jo-Anne. There is no "away", the planet cannot continue to be humanity's garbage can and the oceans our toilet. There are enough materials already made that with some planning and foresight, we can cut down on our selfish use of Earth's resources and make use of what we already have. I also beleive that the path forward in all of this is education. I'm a teacher and quite possibly you are too. I use my platform to raise awareness and instill a "stop and think" approach to the behaviours of extract, manufacture, transport, use, break, toss and repeat. The solution to all of this is educating the young people and empowerin them with the opportunity to imagine and create the future that they want to grow up in.Please follow the work of Jo-Anne St. Godard via the website:https://circularinnovation.ca

This is a wide-ranging conversation covering topics such as Newtonian physics, the Copernican revolution, life in space, genetics, the interconnectedness of life and teaching. It kept coming back to teaching and the type of education we should be bringing to the classroom.This conversation can affect the way you teach. It can refocus you on a modern approach to education and dare I say, what really matters. And, what really matters first and foremost is our relationships with the students, followed by our relationships with the curriculum, and getting to the heart of learning through stories that connect the brain to the heart…and it’s in that place that lasting learning takes place. It's there that students begin to learn, not because they have to but because they want to. It was a pleasure and a privilege to speak with Dr. Gleiser. Be sure to check out all these links to his website and publications and socials and also to his latest book, which will soon be in my school’s library.Website: https://marcelogleiser.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3fqH16afbPKHx7ABOyQ0soOWyy0RlUOP&si=l5nfcWPscnzHajJjTwitter: @MGleiserInstagram: @GleiserofficialBlog series: https://bigthink.com/13-8/Templeton page: https://marcelogleiser.com/media-templeton-prizeTempleton prize website: https://www.templetonprize.org

When my student, Peter, approached me about being a guest on my podcast, I wondered what we would talk about. However, I'm glad we recorded because what we have here is golden. Yes, a lesson in language, but more than that, a lesson in grit, passion, pursuit of knowledge and independent learning. This episode will leave you amazed at what a young person can accomplish. If you know people like Peter, be sure to give them the platform they deserve to share the wisdom that lingers just beneath the surface.

Scott is committed to advancing nature-based solutions that benefit people and the planet. His current work and experience has resulted in an inspiring and dynamic network that seeks solutions to the complex environmental challenges of our times. He work closely with various levels of government, industry, universities and non-profits to coordinate and amplify these efforts. In concert with a talented team at Ocean Wise, he designs, scales and optimizes solutions that have concrete benefits to people and the planet.Scott was selected as the North American civil society representative for the third and fourth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), in Nairobi, Kenya. He also recently completed his Executive MBA at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University in early 2020.Scott is fortunate to have worked and lived across Canada and internationally over the last decade. This has provided Scott with the unique opportunity to contribute to and lead an incredible variety of teams with different values, worldviews, and skill sets. Connect with Scott via email: Scott.Bohachyk@ocean.orgOceanwise: https://ocean.orgScott’s department at Oceanwise: https://ocean.org/climate-change/seaforestation/Education resources including the SeaDome: https://ocean.org/learn-explore/education/Oceanwise for teens: https://ocean.org/learn-explore/youth-programs/youthtosea/Oceanwise for young adults: https://ocean.org/learn-explore/youth-programs/ocean-bridge/

Dr. Tim Dasey knows how to push educational buttons, and let me be clear, this is a good thing!I found this out as I recorded this episode and listened to Tim’s theories on how schools need to evolve. These theories come from a 30 year career in AI development at MIT. Now compelled to ‘rattle the cage” and “poke the bear”, Tim is attempting to nudge educators into what I would call “hard but essential” conversations about what we’re teaching and how it needs to evolve.In his book Wisdom Factories, Tim says that AI in the classroom isn’t going to be the biggest challenge—it will be preparing students for an AI work world. Wisdom Factories asks “What if the fundamentals of schooling don’t fit the AI era?” Tim’s premise is that AI will be the work experts, so humanity has to supply the wisdom. This requires upending a century of educational dogma.Dr. Dasey reckons with an unavoidable conflict—schools currently spend most of their energy teaching students to do what AI does best. The solution for schools and work is to focus on wisdom skills like critical thinking, creativity, relating, and teaming. These complement AI, not compete with it. Learning wisdom can only be done well, he says, with a new educational model that’s nearly upside down from the current one—a model that changes the curriculum, teaching, and even the structure of schooling.In this episode, Tim speaks extensively on experience, play, meta-knowledge, and multidisciplinary curricula as being the new fundamentals to be taught in schools. Connect with Tim:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timdaseyWebsite: https://www.timdasey.comEmail: daseyconsulting@gmail.comBuy his book, Wisdom Factories: https://a.co/d/1tdwqcL

Bryce Coon and Emily Walker head up the education team at EARTHDAY.ORG which firmly believes that every learner in every school worldwide should receive fully integrated, assessed climate and environmental education with a strong civic engagement component.Bryce joins as the Associate Director of Climate Education, while Emily joins as the Education Coordinator. As Associate Director of Climate Education, Bryce plays a central role in crafting the organization's overarching goals and roadmap to increase climate literacy worldwide. Moreover, Bryce is instrumental in driving the efforts dedicated to the climate and environmental literacy campaign, working year round to cultivate a nationwide movement aimed at bolstering climate literacy across various educational institutions, ranging from k-12 schools to universities, trade schools, and graduate schools. As Education Coordinator, Emily plays a vital role in bolstering the growth and diversity of EARTHDAY.ORG’s education partners. She also conducts in-depth research and assists in the development and continuation of curricula, web resources, and supporting materials for Earth Day 2024. Furthermore, she keeps a close eye on federal, state, and local initiatives in the key policy areas EARTHDAY.ORG is dedicated to, ensuring the organization remains informed and actively engaged in advocating for impactful educational policies. Prior to joining EARTHDAY.ORG, Bryce and Emily both dedicated their careers to education and climate literacy. For more than a decade, they have used their roles as educators to find opportunities to incorporate climate education into various courses and encourage youth climate advocates in the classroom. Outside the classroom, Bryce participated in various international fellowships where he studied climate education and policy in Asia, Europe, and Oceania, while Emily used her passions to promote sustainability through environmental literacy initiatives with park authorities.EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day (1970), EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day actions each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Learn more at earthday.org.

This episode is becoming one of my favourite recordings. I think the reason is because, through this discussion with Dr. Berger, I feel like I've gotten to know Albert Einstein like I never have before. Or maybe it's because as a result of my new connection to Gary, I am now the proud recipient of his brilliant book! As I descibe it, it's as much a work of art as it is a pictorial biogrpahy of Einstein.As a science teacher, I subscribe to the theory that the work of a scientist becomes better if I know something about the scientist. It's like knowing the personal side of your favourite singer or football player. With a backstory, I am far more likley to enjoy watching the game or listening to the song.Students today need this sort of connection. They're connected in every other aspect of their lives, so let's make learning science come alive by connecting them to people like Albert Einstein. Just think of the names we mention all the time: Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Galileo...but who were these people and what motivated them? I make it my goal to teach these aspects of science to my students and I hope you do too.Here is a link to purchase Gary's book:https://www.amazon.ca/Einstein-Man-Mind-Hanoch-Gutfreund/dp/8862087845/And for interest sake and because all proceeds from the book are being donated to theAlbert Einstein Archives at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, here is a link to that as well:http://www.albert-einstein.org

Greg Hammer, MD, is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.As a pediatric anesthesiologist and an intensive care physician he cares for children and their families during very stressful times.Burnout is on the rise. This is a problem we cannot afford to ignore. The rising costs of burnout are staggering. Health care professionals AND teachers, sacrifice their health, happiness, and relationships.Fortunately, there is a solution. Dr. Greg Hammer created GAIN Without Pain so that health care professionals AND teachers can prevent burnout and reclaim happiness.This proven path toward personal resilience can be implemented by anyone, anywhere, in just a few minutes a day. Increased resilience could save your practice, your students, your marriage - or even your life.GAIN Without Pain is a four-step process toward happiness. GAIN is an acronym for Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgment."As physicians (AND teachers), we owe our patients(students) two things…our time and our skill. We do not owe our patients (students) our lives.” - Joseph D. Wassersug, MD, bestselling authorDr. Hammer frequently speaks around the world to share his expertise and philosophy. Greg's website: www.GregHammerMD.comBook on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7TFzdPT

This is the thrid time I've had Bill on the podcast and this episode is very practical becasue it will get you outside at night time to find some cool things in the sky. Here is a list of some of the items we talk about:Magnification: amount of times you are brought closer to the objectObjective glass: (the big one at the end) measured in millimetresAsterism: A piece of a constellation such as Regulus (a white star) in the constellation Leo.Two stars “up” from that is gamma Leo, a golden double star.The Big Dipper is high above us and the handle arcs to Arcturus, another golden star.The globular star cluster M3, slightly west and then north of Arcturus.Alcor and Mizar, a double star in the middle of the handle of the Big Dipper.The pointer stars (Dubhe and Merak) in the Big Dipper show up where one is bluish and the other more yellow.The Moon: craters, shadows, the “seas”, 600 features visible on the Moon that are named and visible with binoculars.Jupiter and the four Galilean moons, identifying them by their position which can be looked up easily on line.Andromeda the nearest galaxy. This is being pointed at by the constellation Cassiopeia.Mars is kind of red.Saturn is kind of yellow. And you won’t see the rings through a pair of binoculars.Venus is tricky because it’s so bright that it becomes difficult to notice it’s phases.Much of this will require some explanation, but that's where Bill comes in and explains it. I suspect you'll be using the pause button a few times as you look for the stars and features of the sky Bill refers to. But have some fun with it and when you feel you're ready, take your students outside and hunt for these stellar objects along with them. It'll be fun!

We held an Environmental Conference at my school on Earth Day this year. This was a conference totally organized by the students, which I attended. Unbeknownst to me, while they were organizing this conference via video chats every Friday after school for weeks, they also formed an organization called Langley Youth Environment Action Network. They even made an Instagram account (see link below).During the opening hour, they had ice breaker activties that included a round table discussion on what each person's greatest environmental quest would be. I sat and listened and knew that it had to be recorded. Their's is a message that globally, the people need to hear. But it is a message that locally, teachers need to hear. This is your audience, these are your students, hear what it is that they are thinking about and what they want to learn more about. The world is changing faster than ever and it worries me that schools are changing the slowest. So try this simple test...if your classroom and your lessons and strategies were the same ones you used 20 years ago, or were used on you as a student 20 or more years ago...it's time to change it up. Students today are far too aware, far too connected, far too passionate to be treated as if it's 2003 still. To me, that is the greatest message coming out of this episode. Reach out to me on Twitter: @astrostephenson or email: astrostephenson11@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts on this theme I'm stating. I'd love to know the thoughts of the greater mass.And find this student group on Instagram: @lyean.sd35

Lauren MacLean lives in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, with her two young toddlers and an energetic puppy. She is a full time elementary school teacher where she takes her learners outdoors to explore, learn, and play each and every day.She is the author of the best selling children’s picture book, Me and My Sit Spot and the host of the Mentoring Nature Connections podcast. Let’s get outside and get our hands dirty!Resources:Soaring Eagle Nature School: https://soaringeaglenatureschool.org/ Kamana Naturalist Course from Wilderness Awareness School: https://wildernessawareness.org/articles/the-sunset-of-kamana/ Me and My Sit Spot: English Version Me and My Sit Spot: French VersionMe and My Sit Spot for Early Learners: Early Learner VersionGreen TeacherColumbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN)Nerdy About Nature

Sanjay Sharma MD (Harvard University), MSc, FRCS, MBA is a retinal specialist who is a professor of ophthalmology at Queen’s University.He is an internationally renowned eye surgeon, and has treated over 250,000 patients. Dr. Sharma is a clinician-scientist who has published over 300 scientific papers which have been cited over 10,000 time. He's the author of 3 textbooks, and I'm now proud to host him on Science 360!An innovator at heart, he has launched a series of digital platforms, including MEDSKL – a leading medical education platform that now reaches medical students from over 400 universities. And now he has introduced PREMEDSKL because high school students wanted something to help them prepare for their dream of becoming a doctor.This is a fascinating story of adaptation, innovation and creative thinking. Dr. Sharma and I have very similar philosophies of education, which is always fascinating, especially when we hold vastly different roles on opposite sides of the country. Except when you really stop to notice, although people are hailing from different backgrounds, at the heart, our differences diminish. And our aim to assist young people in finding success in their aspirations is one and the same.Tell your students about PREMEDSKL!! https://www.premedskl.comConnect with Dr. Sanjay Sharma on LinkedInhttps://ca.linkedin.com/in/sanjaysharmamd

I would consider listening to this episode in one of two ways: either at a time when you can take it all in at once, or in junks over a period of time. The reason is because I believe this episode represents the essence of what I consider to be the sort of scientific education needed in high schools today, and I really want you to concentrate and even "read between the lines" on this one.You see, education will be most effective if it is linked to something that is tangible, meaningful and relevant. It has to have the potential to affect our students' emotions, to draw them into a deeper understanding of the science that we're teaching them.Between the lines, you'll find that what we teach regularly and routinely on a day to day basis, actually has meaning to the health and well-being of our planet. The oceans are the great regulator of our ecosystem and framing science lessons and tasks within that, will connect our students to something bigger than themselves, that they will want to get to know better.But further, all of our lessons should have something to tie knowledge to meaning. I've said to my students that if it doesn't have a meaning that I can explain, then I simply won't bring it to class. That's my pledge to my students. But it's also my responsibility as a teacher to find that meaning. And this episode brings meaning, to me, and hopefully to you too.Check out these links to some of the work of my students but also the work of Ove:50 Reefs: https://www.50reefs.orgCatlin Seaview Survey: https://youtu.be/wpZKGP9P8v0Catlin website: https://www.catlinseaviewsurvey.comMy students' ocean research documentary: https://youtu.be/7mKcs_3LHpg

James Maynard publishes The Cosmic Companion, a multimedia news outlet covering astronomy and space exploration from around the globe.Growing up, science and art were always encouraged in the house, and James quickly fell in love with reading the works of Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and other science writers. Carl Sagan’s masterwork, Cosmos, was a turning point for James, who wore out several copies of the book as he read and re-read the masterpiece.In January 2018, James Maynard launched The Cosmic Companion, providing unique, in-depth news about space and astronomy to the general public. Today, he lives in Tucson, Arizona, with an adorable and intelligent family, including his lovely wife, Nicole, and Max the Cat.His writing experience covers newspaper, radio, television, and online news services. Currently, he is writing The Cosmic Companion, covering astronomy news stories as they happen. These stories are carried on Amazon Alexa, and Medium.com, where he has been named a top writer in the space and science categories.Connect with James:https://thecosmiccompanion.netLinkedIn