Wordless Wednesday: My Serenity Pool

I've been busting my hump - with life, the Carnival (what fun), the dissertation (I know the numbers aren't moving but I'm working). I realize I needed a little bit of peace.
Enjoy.

This is also my first time participating in Watery Wednesday.

Diversity in Science #1: Black History Month Celebration

Welcome the Inaugural Edition of Diversity in Science Carnival! This carnival celebrates the people of science and engineering – those who innovate, invent, research, teach, and reach out. This Blog Carnival tells the stories of achievement and perseverance. Why is such a celebration needed? Many reasons, but as Molecular Philosophy put it best, it is to showcase the individuals of science as ROLE MODELS. I think we have a fine list of Role Models for the Black History Month edition of Diversity in Science Carnival.

The Pioneers
This section is a tribute to those who have achieved despite barriers to participation and success. What Black History Month Tribute to Science wouldn’t include at least a blurb about perhaps the most famous Black Scientist known? None. That is why I’m leading this carnival with a post about George Washington Carver, agriculture scientist and peanut product developer, written by me.

DrugMonkey really took on the science blogger diversity challenge, writing four profiles, one of which is Faces of Neuropsychopharmacology: Percy L. Julian, Ph.D. Dr. Julian attended DePauw University, but due to racial segregation he wasn’t allowed to live on campus and most of the town’s restaurants refused to serve him. He eventually found work firing the furnace and doing other odd jobs for a (white) fraternity. In return, he was allowed to sleep in the attic and eat at the house. But you can’t keep a determined person down. He graduated Valedictorian and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Vienna.

Interestingly, many great scientists and innovators have been lost to our common knowledge of history. Lillian Nattel, a Novelist, shares with us a discarded chapter of one of her novels about 1890’s Chicago. She submitted a beautiful narrative – *An African-American Pioneer in Medicine – an account of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a Black Surgeon.

Another medical innovator is profiled by Adventures of a Funky Heart. Steve Catoe, an adult congenital heart defect survivor gave us a throwback post about Vivien Thomas, co-inventor of the lifesaving Blalock-Tuassig Shunt. Dr. Thomas’ story is so amazing, so inspiring that a TV Movie was made about him and his scientific achievements, Something the Lord Made, starring Alan Rickman and Mos Def.

Finally, homage is paid to a scientific pioneer in my own field, Animal Behavior - Dr. Charles Henry Turner. In fact, there are two entries about him, Charles Henry Turner: Animal Behavior Scientist by me and A Beautiful (Black) Mind: Charles Henry Turner by Black on Campus, a blog that features historical pictures of African-Americans in higher Education.

The Innovators
This section could also be called the Patent-holders, since each the profiled innovators were involved in patented inventions. Alice Pawley of ScienceWomen re-introduces readers to a pioneering innovator, Mr. Lewis Lattimer who worked with the team that invented the light bulb filament.

Chick with PhizzleDizzle, a blog about the world of Computer Science, writes about Kunle Olukoton, the brains behind Sun Niagara and server-class chip multiprocessing platform.

I am especially glad that this carnival appeals to more than science and engineering bloggers. Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Internet Law Attorney Brett J. Trout, who blogs at BlawgIT offers an amazing Top 10 African American Inventors list. He even includes a patent number of an invention of each of his finalist. Go on Brett, way to connect your blog theme to this carnival!

The Achievers
As this carnival got underway DrugMonkey made a poignant point…profiling persons more accessible or current and connecting someone who may be more “familiar to us right now can be much more inspiring than a remote genius who is in many senses an outlier or oddity”. I agree whole-heartedly. Profiling living breathing scientists is as essential as paying homage to history. And Drugmonkey introduces us to three of his/her colleagues in Drug Abuse Research: Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., Yasmin L Hurd, Ph.D., and Chana K. Akins, Ph.D.

Canadian Girl Postdoc in America holds down the Math representation is this carnival with an introduction to Associate Professor of Mathematics University of California at San Diego, Kate Okikiolu'. She further enlightens us by providing some hard statistics on the number of Black female and female recipients of advanced degrees in math.

Miriam G. of The Oyster’s Garter introduces us to Dr. Tyrone Hayes who speaks for the frogs, or rather spits dope rhymes for frogs. He is truly my kindred – science, big hair and hip-hop. And you must check out his rap about the effects of Atrazine on frogs.

Speaking of kindred spirits, Thesis with Children author, AmceGirl writes about Dr. Erick Jarvis. Like her, before becoming a scientist he was a dancer. He now studies molecular behavioral mechanisms of bird song as has a faculty position at Duke University.

Obviously, Chemical Oceanography Professor Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle is so nice, she was mentioned twice! Sciencewoman’s piece, Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle: Combining a love of science with a passion for mentoring and Miriam G’s brief bite Dr. Ashanti Pyrtle, radioactive superhero attest to her scientific hotness.


The Influencers
Nurturing and mentoring upcoming scientists and engineers was repeatedly discussed at ScienceOnline09. Many have ‘bemoaned the difficulty of hiring minorities and felt there just aren't any out there!” Then as Zuska says, ‘maybe you need to get off your behind and start mentoring and growing some’. The following profiles are of the people who are doing or have done just that.

Thus Spake Zuska introduces us to Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith, a Physiologist who became first a Department Chair of Spelman College and is now Provost and Academic Vice-President of Drew University. Administrative positions are equally important for career advancement, role modeling, and mentoring of new scientists, especially for members of under-represented groups.

Dr. Isis introduces us to Dr. Avery August, Professor of Immunology and Co-Chair of Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Molecular Medicine at The Pennsylvania State University. He takes his science and science mentoring seriously; and participates in a doctoral bridge program between his institution and Historically Black College, Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

Such programs that bridge connections between minority and majority institutions are key to cultivating new scientists and engineers. GrrlScientist shows and tells us all about a wonderful program - The NCCU BRITE facility with North Carolina Central University (a historically black college) in the Research Triangle.

Pat C. of FairerScience tells of the greatness of Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Like our other influential scientists in administrative positions, Dr. Freeman is a college President and “he has been the point person in creating an environment where successful minority science students are the rule not the exception.” The Meyerhoff Scholars Program of University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC – a majority institution) is perhaps one of the most successful STEM diversity initiative programs in the United States; it certainly is the most inspiring one.

Finally Dr. Free-Ride of Adventures in Ethics and Science, shares a very personal Profile of Mentoring and her relationship with Dr. James E. LuValle. LuValle, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry under Dr. Linus Pauling, won a bronze medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and was the first African-American employee of Eastman Kodak, was also the Retired, yet retained Professor and Director of Undergraduate Chemistry labs at Stanford University. She had the opportunity to be mentored by him and learn that “she could do it” and become a grown-up scientist, thanks to his kind and patient ear and advice.

Still a long way to go
Finally, there is still more road to cover. Greg Laden recounts a few personal incidences from his life when he has come face-to-face with the lack of inclusion of African-Americans in science and science discourse.

Finally, Journeys of an Academic reminds us that too many great innovators have gone unremembered with the post about Otis Boykin. Besides the knowledge that he was an Electrical Engineer who invented the control unit for the pacemaker, very little else published about him or his other achievements.

Like Academic, I too wonder “how many other great thinkers have been abandoned by the historical record…As science, technology, engineering and mathematics generally present themselves as being more about the idea and less about the face of the person who generated the idea, how can we keep the various people from fading into obscurity?” I think discussions in real life and online (like this blog carnival) that celebrate the people of science is one way not to forget.

Join us late March/early April as Diversity in Science and Scientiae celebrate Women’s History Month and salute woman achievers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. To give you a little taste, check out Phlebotomy’s 50 Must Read Women Science Bloggers.

Book Review: Animal Tracks & Signs

For all of my loyally readers who love the blog and have wished you could take it along with you when you were exploring outside, I have the perfect field guide for you!

Animal Tracks & Signs

Author: Jinny Johnson

Published by National Geographic

Animal Tracks & Signs is perfect for animal lovers and junior naturalists of all ages. It is 192 pages long, but it isn’t meant to read in one setting or at bed time. This really is a reference book, complete with pictures, details, and explanations about a wide variety of animal species. As often you go outside and observe nature, you will use this book. In fact, I recommend taking it along with you on your outdoor adventures and nature walks in your neighborhood.

What I like about the book:
The foreword, by John A. Burton. He gives readers a glimpse into the challenges that wildlife film makers and photographers must overcome to catch those breathtaking shots of our wild neighbors. Tracking and finding animals are long and painstaking tasks. Without basic naturalist skills like close observation patience, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy fine animal programs and photographs.

The How-to Section. You can jump right in and look up information about that critter you spotted the other day, but there are also a few pages in the front to get you prepared for animal watching. Different types of animal tracks and the related foot anatomy and movement of the animal is explained, as well as how to make plaster and casts of animal tracks are also provided. This book is the Official Urban Science Adventures! ©Field Guide.

The Biodiversity. It isn’t an exhausted list of every species known to humankind, but it does introduce us to every basic kind of animal, even voles. With the exception of polar biomes, this book introduces readers to mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects and invertebrates from around the world.

The index card-like details. Illustrations or up-close photographs of animals are provided that includes a quick summary about its size, where the animal lives, what it eats and what eats it and other interesting facts. Plus, accurate pictures of animal signs like webs, tunnels, droppings (or poo), nests and dens, bird pellets and life size silhouettes of its tracks.
Plus, the book gives attention to the ecological roles of the animals described. No animal exists without its habitat and other requirements for life. It explains with pictures and brief details how to locate the homes of secretive animals and how to identify animals from simple clues like its tracks, scat, pellets, nest shape, or flying silhouette.

This book is amazing! Go and get it!

Charles Henry Turner: Animal Behavior Scientist

Charles Turner was born in 1867 to newly freed slaves. He was raised and schooled in Cincinnati, Ohio. In fact he earned his undergraduate degree (B.S.) and graduate degree (M.S.) from the University of Cincinnati. In 1907 he earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Chicago. Moreover he was the first African-American to earn these advanced degrees from each institution.

Dr. Turner is indeed an academic Hero of mine and a Pioneering Innovator in my field of study, Animal Behavior. In fact, he published papers about insect behavior and navigation (as well as animal physiology) in journals like Animal Behaviour and Science Magazine, and is recorded as the first African-American to do so.

He served as chair of the Science Department and taught Biology at for a time at Clark University (now Clark-Atlanta University). Turner-Tanner Hall is named in his honor. He also inquired about a teaching and research position at Tuskegee Institute. However, it is said that Booker T. Washington was unable to pay the salary of two distinguished science professors, since George Washington Carver was already on faculty. However, he eventually settled in St. Louis, Missouri and taught at Sumner High School, the first high school for African-Americans west of the Mississippi River (in the United States). Though many documents record him as teaching biology at the high school, Sumner was also a Normal School, akin to a Teachers College, and he may have taught college or preparatory science courses, too. Regardless, Dr. Turner maintained scientific productivity, conducting research and writing papers on various subjects.

Of special note is his work with Hymenoptera – bees and ants and how they navigate and communicate. He conducted his groundbreaking research on honey bee memory, color-vision ability, communication and navigation at O’Fallon Park, in North St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Turner believed that bees may be creating, 'memory pictures’ of the environment, a very novel idea at time. Yet, today we know that scouting bees can accurately communicate the location, distance, as well as quality of a field of flowers to hive mates.

After his retirement from Sumner in 1922 and death in 1923, a nearby school in the same neighborhood was named in his honor. The Charles Henry Turner Open Air School for Crippled Children was founded in 1925. Later the school was renamed Turner Middle School. Today he is also honored by the international members of the Animal Behavior Society. He is recognized as not only a pioneering professional in the field but a role model. The society’s undergraduate diversity program is named in his honor.

List of links with more information about Dr. Turner and his legacy.
Planet Science Out There – Black History, Charles Henry Turner
Dr. Turners Doctoral Dissertation, this should give me inspiration as I write mine. If he can do it with a full time job, a family, deal with racial disparities, and no internet, then I can do him proud by finishing mine and I have far fewer life distractions.
A Brief Biography of Charles Henry Turner
Chronology of Charles Henry Turner
Biography of Charles Turner
Bug Watching With Charles Henry Turner (Naturalist's Apprentice Biographies) A book by Michael Elsohn Ross

Wordless Wednesday: Wonder Up Yonder

This week’s Thematic Photographic 36 - is Up – another perspective challenge - photos taken of things up above and towards the sky. This is another popular perspective for me because of trees and animals that live in them. Here are a few samples.

A very large bowl-shaped bird nest, species unknown
Unidentified tree from Forest Park (St. Louis)

A tree from my backyard (Ash, I think)

Bird Nest made with trash (I love the color of the sky in this picture)

Tree with several hollows made by Woodpeckers

Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places - A Picture Book.

Okay, I dropped the ball on Monday Book Reviews. I am very sorry about this. Travel and conferences can take it out of me....And I know that Dissertation Progress Meter hadn't moved much and my deadline is less than 48 hours away. Watch how busy I will be in the next two days.

But thanks to the conference and a session I attended - Chicago Wilderness: Integrating Biological and Social Diversity into the Future , I met the panelists, one of whom told me about Dudley Edmondson and his book Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places. I must disclose that I have NOT read this book. But I am recommending it - to myself and to you.

Edmondson is a Photographer and Outdoor Lover who took on the task of documenting people of color enjoying the outdoors. He created this album of photos to dispel the notion that African-Americans do not enjoy the outdoors. Here! Here! And he provides stock photos of people of color engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, enjoying nature as well as general nature, wildlife, and landscape photos. Where was this resource when I was working with the Missouri Department of Conservation trying to do outreach with North St. Louis Communities? At one point, my team and I were trying to put together a display board to would serve as a visual aide to why visiting the natural areas were great. But all of our photos of people hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, and bird watching were of people who looked nothing like our target audience. If only I had known.

Check out Edmondson's Photography Website: Raptor Works Photography.

I'm getting back to work on the Dissertation now...

Recaps from the AAAS Conference

Interacting with other scientists is one of the best parts of attending conferences like these. With this being such a large multi-discipline conference, I'm meeting scientists, engineers and educators of every type.

In fact, I bumped into fellow science blogger ScienceGeekGirl at a lunch counter. Dr. Stephanie Chasteen is a Physicists and Science Education Consultant in real and virtual life. Actually I had met her a couple of years ago at a NSF Communicating Science Workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska. I remember her because she was working for the Exploratorium, a fabulous science center in San Francisco. I wanted to do what she was doing - Informal Science Education, but with Life Science. It's always great to meet a blogger in real life.

A special highlight was meeting Dr. Sue Carter. She is a fellow vole researcher and she studies the social relationships and hormone responses of prairie voles. I've read many of her papers.

Although the it is a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, its actually an international organization. I attended a few receptions that bring everyone together in a social setting and I've made some new friends as a result.

*****

My quest to get Al Gore to sign my copy of An Inconvenient Truth was dashed when I ended up in the overflow room for the talk. I ranted on about it. No matter, he flew in just moments before the talk, did not take questions and left immediately. However, the talk was fabulous! Check out what my friend Lyndell had to say about talk.

**********

And finally it was Dance time! I was pleasantly surprised when I heard voice call out my screen name - "Hey, there's DNLee". I looked around and there was the Gonzo Scientist himself. The creator of the "Dance Your Ph.D. Contest" right before my eyes. The dance interpretations of the winning videos were fabulous. I really don't have the words to describe it. As soon John makes the videos and photos available I will post the link because you must see it.

Congrats to the winners, whose YouTube videos were great in their own rights, too.

Largest General Science Conference Meets in Chicago

This weekend (February 12 -16, 2009) I am in Chicago attending the annual meeting of The American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS publishes the magazine Science and is the world’s largest general science conference. Thousands of scientists, including students, educators (K-12 and college), policy-makers, and researchers, will be in attendance in a city that is one of America’s Scientific Hubs.

The theme for this year’s meeting is —Our Planet and Its Life: Origins and Futures—recognizes that 2009 is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. The theme also addresses many of the upcoming challenges our planet faces – climate change and environmental impact. There will be a broad range of activities for registered attendees and the general public.

I was especially excited about the Communication Science to Broader Audiences Workshop, on Thursday, February 12th. It was an all-day clinic for scientists and engineers who are interested in public outreach. I learned alot. I even did a sample "interview" to briefly introduce my research. Well, I've got some work to do, especially with my facial expressions and hand gestures. Look out for my 'before and after' Communicating Science segment.

Former Vice President and Nobel Prize Winner, Al Gore, is the special invited guest speaker for Friday, February 13th. I’m taking my copy of An Inconvenient Truth with me in hopes that I can get him to sign it. Also this evening, is the “This is Science” Dance Program. I actually submitted a video for this competition, but did not make the cut. The four winners will have their science research performed by professional dancers. I am really looking forward to the dance interpretations.

Plus, there are a host of symposia and talks about the environment, education, evolution, and science careers that I am looking forward to. However, I am disappointed that NPR Science Friday, with Ira Flatow will not be in attendance. I had my mind set on meeting him. But hey, it's not all bad, look who I bumped into on the elevator after the Society's Presidential Address - the opening talk:

Yes, that is THE Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of AAAS Education and Human Resources Program. She is my Science Outreach and Educator Shero - she's all about scientific literacy and education. She was very nice and gracious and indulged me this photo.

The continues all day Saturday (February 14) and Sunday (February 15) with more presentations and the Family Science Days. This program is free to the general public. My mother and niece are trying to come down to spend the day with me. I’m very lucky to have a completely nerdy family that loves this stuff as much as I do. There will be exhibits and demonstrations from the local Universities and Science Centers. I’m looking forward to meeting some fellow Outreach Scientists and possibly networking. If you live in the Chicago area, I invite you and your family to come down for the day. It is a fun time and a chance to nurture those young minds. Plus, I would love to meet you.

Charles Darwin was a Naturalist, Just Like You!

Today is the 200th Anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and I am at the world’s largest scientific conference, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Chicago, Illinois. Everyone here is very excited about this landmark with 2009 being called the Year of Darwin. So why is Charles Darwin a big deal? Well, Charles Darwin was a Naturalist, just like you! A Naturalist is a person who observes and studies nature. Many naturalists are trained as biologists, but you don’t have to have a college degree in science to be a naturalist. When you spend time observing nature in your backyard or neighborhood parks, you are acting as a Naturalist.

In 1831, Charles Darwin began a five year adventure on the HMS Beagle that took him around the world exploring what was then considered the exotic lands of Southern Africa, Australia, South America and the Galapagos. He observed plants, land and marine animals including invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, LOTS of beetles, birds and mammals. Darwin was also a geologist so he took very good notes about the environment, landscape, and soil types of these different lands. It was these observations -- of the lands and of the plant and wildlife -- that caused him to ponder the diversity of life forms. Through his travels, he noticed each land had unique life and geologic forms, yet these differences emerged subtly. He later developed his thoughts into a thesis – the Origin of Species – which interprets the diversity of life by evolution through natural selection.

An illustration from the 100-page comic about the life and ideas of Charles Darwin Darwin: A Graphic Biography by Simon Gurr and Eugene Byrne, © Gurr and Byrne. If you can find a copy of it (print or online) check it out and learn more about Darwin and his adventures.

Happy Birthday Chuck! I Blog for Darwin.

Wordless Wednesday: Beauty Down Below

This week’s Thematic Photographic 35 - is Down – a perspective challenge - photos taken of things on the ground or looking down or near the ground. I actually take many of my nature photos from this perspective because that’s where the subjects are – grass, flowers, seeds, leaves, and streams. Here are a few samples.

Sycamore pod
Sweet gum pods

pine needles

moss

echinachea or purple cone flower

water grass in a stream

clover grass

pine cones

black walnut seeds

The George Washington Carver Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum

Last year for Memorial Day I was in Chicago. There were signs everywhere advertising an upcoming exhibit about George Washington Carver, quite arguably, the father of African-American Science. Though I visited Chicago a few more times over the summer and early fall, I was unable to make the exhibit at the Field Museum. Then lo, as I was enjoying one of the last Twilight Tuesdays concerts of the 2008 season, I saw a familiar banner. The George Washington Carver exhibit was soon coming to my town! How lucky I felt. I really wanted to see this exhibit. And anyone who knows me – as an educator and scientist – knows how I get can get swept up in a learning theme. I mean what’s better than imparting information about a host of subjects – science, social studies, agriculture, ecology, history, politics, business – than through all-engaging real-life theme.

I feel many connections to the Carver story. His first learning experiences were while he was outdoors playing. He studied agriculture – so did I in college. He did not attend a Historically Black College or University. He believed in vocational purpose and his work was intended to help those who would benefit from his inquiries the most, the under-served rural African-American community. He was eco-conscious and promoted environmentally friendly living and farming. And as I learned during my visit to the George Washington Carver Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, he was an Outreach Scientist, as I aspire to be. He readily shared his knowledge with others.

In 1896 completed his graduate studies in Agriculture at what is now called Iowa State University, considered one of the leading universities in agriculture education and research. He was immediately recruited to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama by Booker T. Washington. The college was an active learning center. Students worked and learned simultaneously, applying the concepts and principles of knowledge on campus – either building classrooms or farming the fields.

Academically, Carver was a perfect fit for the institution. True to his agriculture training, he was an applied scientist. He used knowledge gained from basic science to solve humanities pressing problems such as hunger and economic disparity. His understanding of ecology, mycology, soil science, chemistry, crop rotation, fertilization, pest control, and use of rhizomal plants like peanuts, revolutionized farming. He helped farmers take better care of their soil so that it could provide the food and cash crops needed to support their families.

Related to that, he developed countless ways to use these novel crops – soybeans, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. Unlike cotton, the cash potential for these crops was considered very low. As a result of his diligence, Carver discovered expanded food and nutritional use for these crops, such as flour, candy, oils, and sugar. He developed hygiene, household, and industrial products, too -- such as lotions, cleansers, renewable fuels, paints, and stains. Because all of these products were from plants, they were lower in toxicity, had less of a negative environmental impact, were renewable, and biodegradable. In fact, many of his agriculture approaches are now the foundational concepts of Eco-conscious and Sustainable Living. He encouraged farmers and families to compost and rotate their crops and he routinely recycled and repurposed discarded items. Professor Carver was Green, all the way!

However, Carver believed his research was pointless if he could not bring knowledge to the people. He published bulletins in simple everyday language to communicate with teachers, farmers and housewives how to cultivate, grow, and prepare products from soil to table. And there was the Jessup Wagon. The Jessup wagon was a movable school that Carver and his students used for community outreach. They would park the wagon at public events fairs or after church and deliver the information directly to the people. The wagon included educational materials about better farming practices, including charts about farm animal husbandry, farming products and equipments, as well as demonstrations and samples of crops and soil samples. He even enticed the farmers with product giveaways such as seeds and farm tools. The whole of his academic endeavors were dedicated to helping poor rural farmers get the most of their land and he used every media method available to him to reach people.

This fabulous exhibit ends on Monday, March 1, 2009. Don’t miss it or else you will have to go to Dallas, Texas, were it is travelling next.

Book Review: Bees

Title: Bees of the Animals Animals Series
Author: Judith Jango-Cohen
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

This book describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat of bees. It is a perfect addition to your classroom or home school animal series library. It is a classic trade book that is an ideal introductory text to bees, their habits, and how people benefit from bees. Each chapter describes a different aspect about bees – what they are, how they eat, how they design their homes, and how they work together in a colony. And the detailed illustrations are amazing. This would a perfect book to write a book report on if you are teaching or raising a budding young ecologist.

Bees are amazing. Plus, we’ve all got to learn more about them in order to save them from this mysterious disease that is causing so many of them to disappear. We depend on bees to pollinate our food crops so our very lives depend on the buzzing bee. And if you’re really excited about bees and want to learn more, you may want to enroll in The Bee Course offered by the American Museum of Natural History.

It is a nine-day workshop held at the Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Arizona, from August 31 to September 9, 2009. The course is for anyone who requires a better understanding of bee taxonomy and identification – for example conservation biologists, pollination ecologists, environmental educators, and novice bee researchers or keepers.

Fees are $650 for the course (tuition waivers may be available) and $610 for room and board.

Follow think to access the APPLICATION FORM. Deadline is Monday, March 1, 2009.

For more information about the course, visit: http://research.amnh.org/invertzoo/beecourse/

I smile with glee!

I'm giddy. I've got lots of great things happening right now and I wanted to share the great news!

1. My advisor gave me back her comments on my Chapter 1. I'm geeked. After I revise the document I will get to claim all of those words, those lovely, lovely, coveted words to count towards my Dissertation Progress Challenge! That's easy 4,000-5000 words!

2. Urban Science Adventures! (c) was listed in Wikio's Top 100 Blogs in the Sciences category. I didn't even know this ranking existed and the blog is #67!

Wow! *cheesy music playing* I just want to thank my family, my friends and you ALL, my Fabuloso blog readers!

You all really rock! I'm in some really amazing company. Be sure to check out the Top 100, a great list of science blogs - life sciences, physical sciences, nature, space, and everything in-between.

3. Also, my such-a-terrestrial-biologist-self was able to submit a post to the Carnival of the Blue 21st Edition. This is a monthly blog carnival about all things marine and ocean-y. Miriam G (my blog BFF) wrote a poetic carnival. Yes, poems. She introduced every contributing post in rhyme and verse. The Carnival also includes some amazing posts about marine life and conservation by some of my newest science blog friends - The Sea-faring Shanties!

4. I got a big shipment of Children's Science Books to read for the Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award. Exciting titles are in store - books about cute baby animals of every sort, the arctic and polar regions, bugs and invertebrates, novellas about animals, birds, mammals, and some ecosystem-related trade books about every biome. Good stuff is in store for the Monday Book Reviews.

5. The Symposium I was invited to participate in has been accepted by the Scientific Committee of the International Ethological Conference 2009 Meeting in Rennes, France. I will present part of my dissertation at the Symposium on Animal personality: promise and problems for the investigation of mechanisms and functions. It's all very exciting. Yes, I do traditional science research, not just outreach. But I may very well have to pass the electronic plate around in order to cover some of the costs of this great trip.6. And my day is absolutely topped off because Dr. Isis hearts me. Dr. Isis is a Physiologist (I love Physiology, it's one of my favorite sub-subjects in biology. I've taught Physiology lab more times than I can count. But I digress). So she studies the how the systems of the body work, interact with the environment, how our bodies maintain themselves. She blogs about the Life as a Scientist (the up, downs, joys, deadlines, etc) and balancing work and life with BIG feminist perspective. Her posts are great, but since I target young audiences, I must warn you of her use of swear words to get the point across.

My day is as sweet as these Sweet Chocolate Shoes - Dr. Isis' shoes actually. She was unable to attend the ScienceOnline09 Conference, she sent her calling card - a part of hot, cute high heeled-shoes.

The Rightful Place of Science in Society and the African-American Community

In President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech, he vowed “to restore science to its rightful place” in society. Wow, that fills me with an excitement and eagerness to do and share science more than before. However, what is science’s rightful place in society? And what place should science have in the African-American community?

There has been a long and understandably uneasy relationship between the Black Community and Science. Being regarded as less-than-human by other groups has put many of our fore-parents in harm’s way. I could speak volumes on the unethical medical research and heartless medical providers, but “this is a new day”, as Obama declared. It is time to restore Science - the offspring Education and Intellectualism - to its rightful place in our community.

In order to restore science to its rightful place, we must first acknowledge what science is. Science is a pursuit of knowledge. It drives us to question, to critique, to hypothesize, to measure, to evaluate, to interpret, and to propose solutions to our community’s most pressing needs. It is an exercise of intellect, discipline and curiosity that compels us to want to understand our world and to make it better. Restoring science to its rightful place requires a dedication for us all to become scientifically literate – to understand science and use it to enhance our lives.

Science is simply information about our world, our environment, and our health. People’s lives are impacted by information, and failing to comprehend information can be very detrimental. I have personally witnessed the heartbreaking consequences of scientific illiteracy in our community, such as individuals deciding to forgo life-saving medical procedures, not following to doctors’ health advice, moving into environmentally hazardous buildings, and sharing false information about health or medical issues with others. Many of us have confused superstition as fact, and have paid the price. Moreover, many of social circles do not include scientists or doctors so we have no one to call when questions arise. Image how much better our lives would if science were a part of the decisions we made about our health, our children, and our environment?

The rightful place of science is in our day-to-day dialogue with friends and family. The rightful place of science is at our dinner table, happy hour gatherings, within the banter of men in barber shops and among the chatter of ladies in hair salons. Science rightfully belongs to us, the people. It is not some mysterious activity done by ‘others’. No, many of the greatest scientists of all time came from our community - Drs. Charles H. Turner*, Edward Bouchet*, George Washington Carver, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mae Jemison, Ian Smith, Shirley Jackson, James Gates, Maydianne Andrade, and Shirley Malcolm. Science is our most handy tool in our arsenal against discrimination, poverty, socio-economic disparity and environmental injustice. The rightful place of science in our society and the African-American community is within us.

*Both were teachers at Sumner High School of St. Louis, Missouri in the early 1900s.

Wordless Wednesday: Simply Starlings

I’m participating in Thematic Photographic 34 - Simple.
I came across some starlings hanging out near some city parking lots searching for some scraps.

Isn't Urban Birdwatching neat? Join in.

Celebrate Urban Birds

How about a year-long Urban Wildlife Watch just for birds? Thanks to Mini-Grants Available for Local Events offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it could happen – for you and me. The Cornell Bird Lab promotes outreach and citizen science at every level. Celebrate Urban Birds is a special program that encourages urban bird watching, recruiting young people from inner-cities to learn about birds, and participating in neighborhood activities focus on birds and nature.

An example of a great Citizen Science/Urban Bird Project is The Urban Bird Sounds Project: An Audio Guide to Urban Birds produced by students of Codman Academy Charter Public School. It is a great site – pictures, narratives, and audio to teach you how to identify common city birds by its bird song and its physical appearance. Free educational materials are also available. (Thanks Regan for letting me know about this).

And related to Urban Birding and Black History Month, I wanted to introduce you to two African-American Urban Bird Watchers: John C. Robinson and David Lindo.

John C. Robinson is an ornithologist, wildlife biologist, author, and noted urban birdwatcher. Check out his website to learn more about him, birds, and urban bird watching.

David Lindo is a broadcaster, writer, talker, and bird guider. Check out his comprehensive blog about urban birding and conservation.

These are two pioneers in urban nature watching and outreach, will you follow in their paths?

*********************

The Press Release Announcing the Mini Grant.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites organizations and educators to apply for its Celebrate Urban Birds project mini-grants. Mini-grants average $100 to $500 and help fund neighborhood events across North America.

Celebrate Urban Birds is a free year-round project that collects information from everyday people about 16 species of birds that may be found in urban areas. Participants spend 10 minutes watching birds in their neighborhood and report their observations online at www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. This information helps scientists better understand how birds survive in cities and make use of greens spaces, including parks and gardens.

A local Celebrate Urban Birds event connects the arts, music, dance, and gardening with birds and science. Celebrate Urban Birds mini-grants could be used to support a bird-activity day at a local museum, afterschool, library, or community center, or fund art and gardening activities at your club, business, school, senior center, or neighborhood.

To qualify for a mini-grant, please plan to:
- hold a Celebrate Urban Birds event in 2009
- introduce the public/youth to birds
- collect Celebrate Urban Birds data and inspire others to observe birds and collect data
- distribute Celebrate Urban Birds kits (with posters, seeds, and more)
- integrate the arts
- integrate gardening/habitat creation
- get people outside

Application deadline is February 15, 2009

I’m seriously thinking of applying for the Cornell Mini-grant. I’m also encouraging all of you out there to apply, too. Organizations/individuals working with traditionally underserved communities are strongly urged to apply. No experience with birds required. That’s good to know, so no excuses. Any takers out there? If you or someone you know receives this grant, let me know. I would love to know how things are going and to blog about it.

If anyone in the St. Louis, Missouri area participates, let me know. I’d be happy to help out or contact me. We can write the grant together. I’ve assisted with some bird netting and bird handling. I’m also pretty good at public programs and such.

It’s Marmota monax Day!

photo from the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game

What’s Marmota monax Day you’re asking? Well it’s Groundhog’s Day. Marmota monax is the scientific name for ground hogs, also known as woodchucks. And how much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? None. They spend their time eating plant materials like flowers and roots and the occasional juicy bug.

Though we celebrate groundhogs today, it’s actually an inconvenience to them. They are hibernators and don’t usually wake up until spring time – in March or April.

Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States but seems to have been a tradition brought over by European immigrants. The origins of the day are interesting and coincide with Candlemas Day, also February 2nd, a Catholic Celebration marking the end of Epiphany.
I’m super excited about both celebrations because it is also my birthday! I’ve always thought it was divine declaration that I, an animal-lover since babe-hood, would be born on an animal day and would become a biologist – a small mammal biologist at that.

So if you see me on Facebook, stop by and wish me a Happy Marmota monax Day!

And now to the book review. No, I didn’t forget.

Keeping true to the theme of Groundhogs, I’m recommending the Exploring the World of Mammals, published by Chelsea House Publishers. This is a six volume set that introduces the biodiversity of the Animal Kingdom, Class Mammalia. It is a dynamic series. These are trade books, truly intended for young readers, grades 4-7, but I find them handy and informative. Each book begins with an overview of the group of animals called mammals, defining them as ‘warm-blooded’ animals with hair or fur and special skin glands called mammary glands that produce milk. It really is an encyclopedia. It introduces every type of mammal, including the taxonomy, systematic, and an accurate overview of the animals’ natural history, behavior, distribution, and conservation status. Volume 5 of the series includes a picture of a Ground hog. So far, this is the only book I have reviewed for the Animal Behavior Society’s Outstanding Children’s Book Award that has every featured groundhogs or woodchucks. Pick up this set and learn more about ground hogs and their other mammal cousins.


I leave with photos of Wendy the Woodchuck of North Carolina Life and Science Museum.

I took this photo, she was sleeping.

Not her best side. So my great friends from the The North Carolina Life and Science Museum let me share these photos with you.

This is Erin, one the Keepers with the Animal Department of the Museum. They have a blog, too. Check it out. Lots of great stuff about animals.

It’s Black History Month! Celebrate Science and African-American Achievements

All year is great time to learn more about science and the people who make the discoveries. But February offers a great opportunity to learn about the achievements of African-Americans (and others from the African Diaspora) in the sciences. So I’m introducing a new Blog Carnival – Diversity in Science. Blogs of every genre are invited to write a special feature post about a person who is a pioneer and/or innovator in any of the amazing fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Tell us all about him/her?
How has this person impacted field of STEM and/or inspired you?
Or why is his/her story interesting?

With this being Black History Month, the inaugural carnival will be about African-American Innovators. Simply post a fabulous essay about any science hero past or present and submit it to the carnival. Deadline is Friday, February 20th. I’ll host this first edition of Diversity in Science on Tuesday, February 24.

The inspiration to create this Blog carnival was born of the ScienceOnline09 Conference in the Race & Science session, co-moderated by AcmeGirl. However, the conversation about diversity began in the Gender in Science session moderated by Suzanne Franks, Abel Pharmboy and Alice Pawley.
Together, the two Diversity sessions touched on the current state of diversity in the sciences, the role of allies to support women and minority scientists, and how to encourage more minority participation in science blogging. In fact, one line of conversation that really struck me was the idea of using the internet, blogs in particular, to share with others the diversity of the scientific community. The Web provides new methods and means for action and effecting positive change in the public’s perception of minorities in science and even attracting kids into science. Blog rolling, giving blog awards, guest blogging, and writing profile/interview posts are great ways to promoting science, nature, technology and engineering to new audiences as wells promote blogs written by persons of color. And a Blog Carnival about Diversity in Science is a perfect way to build cross-community relationships among the many different internet communities, for example science and nature blogging communities, African-American blogging communities and social-political commentary blogging communities.

So how about joining the already committed science and Blacks in Higher Education Bloggers is this Carnival? Together we can help create a beautiful mosaic of diversity of STEM like the pictures of my friends from science conferences.

Diversity in Science Carnival

Deadline Friday, February 20th.
Submit via the Blog Carnival Submission link or leave your link in the comments.
Advertise and promote the blog, now and when it is published.

Finally, get ready for the second edition of Diversity in Science with March – Women’s History Month: Celebrate Women Innovators.