Science for the classroom and beyond
Nathan Schreiber returns to the show to talk about his newest project using a series of graphic novels designed to teach chemistry concepts. Building off of the popular game, Valence uses science ninjas in an action packed adventure that teaches foundational chemistry about what makes up the universe, how it’s measured, and how it’s transformed. Nathan joins us to discuss […]
Read more
As we prepare for the summer months ahead, we welcome Griff Jones back to the show to close out season 12. Working with Griff, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has developed engaging, interactive resources that can be found within their new IIHS in the Classroom website. Designed for grades 5-12, IIHS in the Classroom uses the results of […]
Read more
Have you ever had a good idea for a game where kids can learn science? Our guest this week has, and he has even made those ideas into a reality! Nathan Schreiber joins us this week to talk about his Science Ninjas games that teach real science with engaging graphics, fun characters, and easy-to-follow instructions. Listen to learn how you might […]
Read more
Our guest this week is Neal Manegold, director of Minecraft Education. Many listeners are probably familiar with Minecraft, and a few might even know about Minecraft Education Edition, which builds on the open-world game while promoting creativity, collaboration and problem solving in a teacher supervised environment. Now students can learn some science in the Minecraft world with the recent Chemistry update of […]
Read more
We have had many different guests on Lab Out Loud, from scientists to teachers, authors to celebrities, Nobel Laureates, and even a couple Knights! But this week we are proud to introduce our 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, […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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. We discuss mole day, reminisce on how we have celebrated it, and celebrate the founder of the National Mole Day Foundation: Maurice Oehler (a Wisconsin Science Teacher). How do you celebrate Mole Day? Leave a comment, […]
Read more
Science degrees can be found in the most intriguing careers. This week we talk 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 […]
Read more
To kickoff season 11, we welcome 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 us to discuss […]
Read more
Imagine the chemistry set of the 21st century. That’s the idea behind a new competition. SPARK, The Science Play and Research Kit competition, is a project of the Society for Science & the Public, in collaboration with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. To tell us more about the competition, we contacted Janet Coffey – program officer for science learning at […]
Read more
We catch up this week with Deborah Blum. Blum first joined us on Periodicity to talk about science journalism. Since then, Blum has written “The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York.” Blum talks to us about poisons, forensic medicine, and literacy in the science classroom. Links Deborah Blum deborahblum.com Speakeasy Science Wired […]
Read more
http://traffic.libsyn.com/wsst/LOL79.mp3 Our guest this week is the co-founder of Vernier Software & Technology, David Vernier. David talks to us about the history of the company, his popular software and data collection hardware, and the release of two new products that are part of Vernier’s Connected Science System – the LabQuest2 and Graphical Analysis iOS app. Links: Vernier Software & Technology About […]
Read more
http://traffic.libsyn.com/wsst/LOL78.mp3 In anticipation of NOVA’s upcoming “Hunting the Elements” special and app, we got in touch with Rachel Connolly – NOVA’s Director of Education. Rachel talks to us about the show and its accompanying app, NOVA’s Hunting the Elements periodic tweets, and other resources from NOVA. Listen to the show and watch “Hunting the Elements”, airing 4/4/12 on PBS. Links: Hunting […]
Read moreFor almost three and a half years, Lab Out Loud has been providing shows that discuss science news and science education by interviewing leading scientists, researchers, science writers and other important figures in the field. However, we have always wrestled with the fact that we were not being true to the title of our show. Many of our listeners have […]
Read more
http://traffic.libsyn.com/wsst/LOL56.mp3 To kick off the International Year of Chemistry, we talk with Dr. Martyn Poliakoff and Dr. Samantha Tang from The Periodic Table of Videos. Having completed all videos for all 118 elements, the team is working on updating every element video, while adding other videos such as molecular videos and chemical definition videos. Drs. Poliakoff and Tang talk […]
Read more
http://traffic.libsyn.com/wsst/LOL52.mp3 This week we discuss our favorite science books and talk to author Sam Kean. Sam discusses the periodic table, scientific discovery and storytelling in his new book The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements. What science books do you read? Join […]
Read more
http://media.libsyn.com/media/wsst/LOL37.mp3 Our guest this week has some serious accolades that would make any geek proud: he has won an Ig Nobel prize (2002), been referenced in a Foxtrot comic, and owns the domain name periodictable.com. Dr. Theo Gray talks to us this week about his tables, science experiments and safety, Wolfram Alpha, and even answers some student questions. Links: […]
Read morehttp://media.libsyn.com/media/wsst/LOL23.mp3 Our second international podcast brings us to the University of Nottingham, where The Periodic Table of Videos is hosted. An online periodic table that includes short videos about each element, the PTOV has been watched over 3.9 million times. Dr. Martyn Poliakoff, CBE – a research professor at the University of Nottingham – tells us about The Periodic […]
Read more
http://media.libsyn.com/media/wsst/LOL22.mp3 In this episode, Maryann Suero and Ken Roy warn us of safety dangers lurking in schools – both in the science lab and beyond. Dr. Suero is the Children’s Health Program Manager for the EPA Region 5 (Midwest Region), and Ken Roy is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in CT, the Safety […]
Read moreEach month, Flinn Scientific provides “Science Department Safety Training Notes”. This month’s notes are “Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations.” From Flinn: Chemical demonstrations can produce attention-grabbing results that dramatically illustrate chemistry in action–from making fountains of foam to creating kaleidoscopic colors, and generating flashes of fire. This month’s safety training reminds you that safety must always come first by providing important […]
Read more