2008 Black Weblog Award Finalist in the Science/Tech Category

Thank you so very much for nominating this blog for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards. Urban Science Adventures! © is a finalist in the Science/Tech Category. The competition seems very stiff, so I would really appreciate your continued support. Help me spread my message of environmental education and science outreach to young people and educators.

Over 9,000 nomination votes were cast! Can you believe that?

Initially created to celebrate black blogs and bloggers, the awards platform has evolved from 11 categories (in 2005) to 30 for this year, with each genre awarding both a popular vote, chosen by the general public, and a judges’ pick. Thus, the anticipation for this highly sought-after accolade has reached an all-time high within the black blogosphere and now beyond, garnering the attention of major corporations all vying for cross-promotion and collaborations with the Black Weblog Awards. For more information about the awards and to see the Finalists list visit: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/blog/

The final round of voting ends on August 31st and the 2008 Black Weblog Award winners will be announced on Thursday, September 4, 2008.

One thing to keep in mind, the voting process requires you to vote in every category.

Now, I need you - AND all of your email friends - to vote for me. Voting ends Aug 31.

Competition is VERY stiff.


Thanks so much again,

DNLee

Scientist as a Science Outreach Professional

I admit it is a pleasant challenge trying to figure out HOW to present science on this blog for general audiences. Albeit my limited training in Interpretation has certainly made me more cognizant of how hard it can be for a traditionally-trained science professional to present science to lay people. It really is interpretation or translation in the literal sense -- finding examples or words to explain things (about science) that are more relevant and real and practical to everyday people.

While at conference or at departmental seminars I hear talks or read dense scientific papers and I am in awe. In the information is so real and interesting to me, but I imagine if any one of my friends were with me, he/she would fall asleep after all the snazzy pictures and videos. The method and format and delivery and presentation of the information for science audiences is its own beast. The framing or Theme Selection as I have learned is different, too. I definitely have my work cut out for me as I try to navigate in both worlds – Science and Science Interpretation/Outreach. But I know it is important work, and not just because it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Interpreting current and relevant science research and discoveries and sharing it with the public is an essential professional duty of scientists. For one, the discoveries we make are designed to inform the entire world and contribute to the world catalog of knowledge. We do it to learn more so that our societies can make wiser decisions about our lives, our communities, and our future. It’s not “our” information to keep. Second, most science is publicly financed. Tax payers and general citizens contribute to government agencies like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, and many more. These agencies distribute money to teams of researchers and institutions to go out and discover and learn. And your state tax dollars fund science research, too. Distributions to colleges and universities include the salaries, equipment, and supply costs for professors and graduate students who are the researchers who do this work.

Because of the need to share the science with the public, agencies like the NSF are requiring research teams to outline how they will share science with general audiences. Whenever a researcher submits a grant request, he/she must explain how they will not only make a scientific impact but also a broader impact on society. In other words, how will they share their work or opportunities with under-represented groups of society? Will they share or disseminate the results of the study to people beyond other scientists? Will they establish and maintain relationships with other educational professionals, such as K-12 teachers, or instructors from junior colleges or rural or inner-city areas that seldom have the opportunity to interact with researchers or university faculty?

And if I can figure out a way to present science and research in a way that is engaging and relatively quick to produce, then I plan to establish a professional niche for myself. So look out for more.

ISBE Conference was great, but now I'm headed home.

The conference was everything I needed -- stimulating, great networking, reuniting with old friends, learning about future opportunities and having fun.

I know Scientists catch a bad rap at times, but really, we are human beings. We simply love what we do, it's just that not alot people can relate to a job where you ask questions all of the time, do lots of reading, writing and researching, and talking to other "egg-heads" as my mother calls it.

Behavioral Ecology as a lot of great things going on. I attended the most exicting and best plenary talk of my life my Ken Catania of Vanderbilt University.

I visited lots of poster presentations and will in turn share what I learned with you, so please be on the lookout for posting about:

• Least terns that nest on the rooftops of warehouse buildings in Dallas
• Rockhopper Pigeons of the Faulkland Islands
• Mexican Jays that discriminate between larger and smaller food items
• Great nature photos of Ithaca, NY -- there are Gorges on the campus!

In the meantime, if you have a facebook account Photos from Conference on my Facebook page. And please sign up to be my friend. I'd like that.

Rest up for the first day of school. It should be coming soon for most of you.

Urban Science Adventures gives a Shout Out to the Big Doc - Dentist from the Hood

Big Doc is the rap name of Dentist Marrio Thomas. Hailing from South Memphis, TN (a.k.a. Funky Town or 1-Town), Dr. Thomas is ra ole model to inner-city kids and promotes dental hygience with hip-hop. I'm also from South Memphis and went to college with Marrio and I am so proud of his success and outreach.

Dentristry in the Hood....That is an Urban Science Adventure!
Check out the full story: 'Big Doc' on the case: East Memphis dentist produces album of child-oriented rap
Check out his video Call Big Doc.

I Cast my Black Weblog Nominations today - Updates from ISBE

I just posted my nominations for the Black Weblog Awards!

According to a note by the Black Weblog Award Founder/Administrator - Markus Robinson - on Facebook, over 1000 entries have been submitted as of last Thursday (Aug 7).

A big fat THANK YOU to all who have nominated this blog!


ISBE Conference updates

1. Cornell is impossibly hilly - and huge, but beautiful. This campus is so wide. I had hope to come across the famous founding location of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. No such luck as yet.

2. I'm having a great time. Catching up with conference friends and former lab mates, even getting some work done on one of my manuscripts. And hearing the best talks about urban wildlife and related issues. I heard the best talk ever about moles, shrews and earthworms. I can't wait to write an Urban Wildlife Watch posts about these animals. And I have been granted some great interviews. I can't wait to share some really great science research news with you.

3. It is confirmed, Jerry Wolff is with the Great Spirit in the Sky. I haven't been provided sordid details, but a former student of his confirms that he indeed returned his body and spirit to a VERY remote wilderness. It is what he wanted. But I prefer to think that he's living fat and happy on a Mormon Compound enjoying the pleasure of young blonde naive girls. Ahh!

The Urban Whale

That is the title of a new text book published by Harvard University Press. There is an entire chapter on Urban Oceans and Marine Life. It gives accounts of the impact of commercial fishing and boating on marine communities that live near commercial fishing towns,

An Urban Whale – the thought had never crossed my mind. In fact an urban aquatic anything had completely escaped me. How is that possible? I’ve lived near the Mighty Mississippi River my entire life. How could I have completely slept on the fact that was indeed Urban Aquatic communities? I have an obvious terrestrial bias. I’ll work to remedy that. I’ll feature more aquatic organisms in my Urban Wildlife Watch Series.
And so as not to leave you hanging here is a list of common aquatic organisms.

• Catfish
• Buffalo fish
• Trout
• Minnows
• Sturgeons
• Asian Carp (invasive species)
• Crawfish
• Beaver
• Muskrat
• Waterfowl like geese, ducks, herons, egrets
• Mosquito, worms and other invertebrates

Update: Related to this post I am linking to a new marine ecology blog I discovered - Right Whale of Fundy Blog, operated by the New England Aquarium. I'm adding it to the Blogroll, too.

Enjoy!

Greetings from ISBE - Cornell University

I'm attending a scientific conference this week at Cornell University - the 12th Bienneal Congress of the the Internationail Society for Behavioral Ecology. Behavioral Ecology is the scientific study of animal behavior that evaluates animal behavior in the context of an animal's relationship to the environment, its social group, its predators, its prey -- everything. It evaluates the costs and benefits of behavior as it relates to a species ability to survive and thrive (reproduce).

This is one of the largest science conferences I've ever attended. There are over 1000 behavioral ecologists attending this meeting, most presenting their research to peers. I'm not presenting a paper, but I am making some great connections with some people. In fact, I'll be sharing some latest and greatest behavior research findings with you. Already, I've met some great researchers doing some interesting work with a variety of animals. Conference is great - There are hundreds of people talking about all of these neat and exciting findings in the Animal Kingdom. It's like a whole series of trailers for an upcoming Animal Planet/National Geographic?Discovery Channel special.

Be sure to tune back in.

Book Review: Pre-K Books

Today, I am recommending two lovely read-a-long picture books about flying animals. Both books are perfect for your toddlers through grade 1 children.


Hello, Bumblebee Bat by Darrin Lunde, Illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne

This is the story of the tiniest bat in the world– the Bumblebee Bat of Thailand. The bat is actually the size of a bumblebee! Using a simple Q&A style, the author introduces readers to this amazing creature of conservation concern. He describes how they hunt for moths to eat, avoid predators like owls, and how the bat lives in large colonies in caves. The illustrations are very eye-popping as well. The prose is simple and easy to read. Soon, your youngsters may be reciting the line to you.





Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre, Illustrated by Steve Jenkins.

This is the story of North America’s most common vulture – the Turkey Vulture. During Spring, Summer, and Autumn months in Missouri, you can see soaring black silhouettes circling in the warm sky above. The story of the Turkey Vulture is presented with several short poems on each page, along with bold illustrations of vultures at work. And they do important work for the environment – they eat meat from dead animals! The details in the back of the book provide more in-depth information about the species, its habits, and way of life. This is a perfect book to read before a nature outing with your young ones.

Book Review - Ecology and World Biomes

As a member of the Animal Behavior Society's Children Book Award Committee I get to review dozens of children's books each year. This year I had the pleasure of reviewin a phenonmenal series about Biomes. It is a perfect primer to ecology. Each book describes physical environment, features the plant, animal, and bug life of each biome, and introduces young readers, grades 1-3, to key vocabulary terms. Each book is very easy to read, 25 pages, and the photographs of animals and landscapes are breath taking.

The Series is produced by Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers.

A Home on the Tundra by Katie Marsico

A Home on the Savanna by Susan Labella

A Home in the Swamp by David C. Lion

A Home on the Prairie by David C. Lion

A Home in the Rain Forest by Christine Taylor-Butler

A Home in the Coral Reef by Christine Taylor-Butler

Polar Bears and Climate Change

International Polar Year is scientific celebration and research program that celebrates the unique ecosystems and habitats of the North and South Poles. It is also an educational campaign to document these biomes before they are no more. Climate change and global warming are threatening EVERYTHING we know to be real in the world. Losing a biome is a travesty -- it would mean loss of innocent life, the compromised ability for people and animals to feed and shelter ourselves, and the complete altering our our weather and season patterns which impacts our agriculuture and ways of living.

Right now, polar bears, the top predator of the northern polar region is seriously threatened with extinction. The World Wildlife Federation has a new TV campaign to make people aware of how climate change is affecting polar bears and other animals. Polar bears are at risk of extinction due to melting and thinning arctic ice, and could disappear by the end of this century if we don't take action. Can you imagine how awful that would be.
Actor and WWF supporter Noah Wyle generously donated his time to record this important message about polar bears at risk. Watch this two-minute video right now.

Help me in sharing this message and working to make our world a place were NO animal dies from the face of the earth in our or our children's lifetimes.

Nominate this Blog for the 2008 Black Weblog Award!

The 2008 Black Weblog Award Nomination Process is now open until August 16, 2008. There are 30 categories and one is The Best Science/Technology Blog! I would REALLY appreciate it if you would nominate my Blog - Urban Science Adventures! © for the best science/tech category. I can't nominate myself, so it's all up to you and your friends.

If you are not an avid blog reader, I would certainly encourage you to check out some blogs. Check out this Black blog aggregator: http://rsspect.org/ to discover some great blogs. But I warn you it’s like going down a rabbit hole.
Be sure to nominate this blog for:

• Best Science/Technology Blog - Urban Science Adventures! © http://urban-science.blogspot.com/


• Best Post Series: Urban Wildlife Watch Series http://urban-science.blogspot.com/search/label/urban%20wildlife%20watch

The Rules: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/rules/

The Categories: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/categories/

Nomination Form: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/database/step1.phpyou can get started right from there.

Other Blogs I like and I will nominate are:
Best Culture Blog
This category is for blogs which talk about Black culture and/or the African diaspora in a multifaceted and dynamic way.
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/

Best Group Blog
This category is for a single blog which is updated by a group of people (two or more people). This blog can be about any topic. Posts must indicate who the author is for each one; it cannot be one person masquerading as different people (for judging purposes).
Young Black Professional Guide http://ybpguide.com/

Best Humor Blog
This category is for humor blogs or blogs which feature humorous content.
Writeback.com http://writeblack.com/

Best International Blog
This category is for blogs of any topic that are based in countries other than the United States. The country of origin for the blog must be clearly identified (for judging purposes).
David McQueen http://davespeaks.wordpress.com/

Best Photo Blog
This category is for blogs which feature the blog author’s photographs. A majority of the content (over 90%) must be photos taken by the author. No Getty Images snatching, please.
The People Could Fly http://thepeoplecouldfly.blogspot.com/

Best Podcast
This category highlights podcasts—serialized audio files available to download—on any topic. Podcasts must be available for download (mp3 format); no strict Flash audio sites unless there’s an option for downloading the shows (for judging purposes).
Delta SEE Radio http://www.deltasee.org/radio/index.htm

Best Video Blog
This category highlights blogs which feature original video content by the blog’s author on any topic. Blog content must be primarily video content (at least 90% of posts, for judging purposes). We are not looking for blogs with Youtube clips of music videos -- this must all be original content by the author.
People Could Fly http://thepeoplecouldfly.blogspot.com/

Best Writing in a Blog
This category is for blogs which have exceptional writing. This category is judged not on a single post basis, but on the overall posts of the blog.
The Black Snob http://blacksnob.com/

Blog to Watch
This category highlights the best “undiscovered” blog in the blogosphere; keep your eye on this one! This is for that great blog that not everyone knows about…but should!
Science To Life http://scienceblogs.com/sciencetolife/

Chicago Wilderness - Urban Ecology on a Grand Scale

I was wishing I could attend the annual Ecological Society of America conference this morning. I felt really bad when I learned there would be a special session on Studying Chicago Wilderness: An Urban Conservation Model as a Regional Interdisciplinary Laboratory.

Come to find out Chicago Wilderness is an organization - a 12-year-old consortium of 225 member organizations working together with the common mission of conserving the biodiversity of the Chicago metropolitan region. Chicago Wilderness is a regional nature reserve that includes more than 225,000 acres of protected natural lands. It stretches from southeastern Wisconsin, through northeastern Illinois and into northwestern Indiana.

The protected lands in Chicago Wilderness are forest preserves, state parks, federal lands, county preserves, and privately owned lands. There are also many unprotected natural areas that offer refuge to native wildlife. This is an urban ecology and conservation group – a large one. The coalition works together to develop and implement a comprehensive regional plan for biodiversity conservation which connects multiple landowners, as well as scientific and educational institutions, and engages the region's citizens in ecological restoration and biological monitoring. Wow! Isn’t that exciting?

The session at the conference will cover topics such as historical overview, key projects in conservation planning, education, and progress on developing research agendas in natural and social sciences. I wish I was there.

Urban Wildlife Watch: Winged Ants

The other day, I was swatting away in the kitchen at flies. For some reason, flies have been getting into my house - big flies...and some small ones. But one fly looked a little different. After I swatted in dead and it landed in the tub, I realized, this is no fly...It's an ant.

Yes, some ants are winged, but only the reproductively active ones - in other words Queens and males. This isn't my picture. Regrettably, I don't have a macro lens on the digital camera (bummer). But this is what it looked like. What distinguishes a winged ant from a fly is its body shape. The ant's body is overall much thinner than a fly. And unlike most flies, the ant doesn't have any of that iridescent coloring on its head. And it you look very closely, the ant has that characteristic thin waste and fat abdomen with a stinger. It looks a lot like a tiny wasp. That's because Wasps and Ants are in the same insect family - Hymenoptera.

Keep your eyes open very wide and look closely and you too might be able to spot a rare Winged Ant.

Urban Wildlife Watch: Fireflies

About a week ago, the backyard was newly cut and it was filled with fireflies. I mean, lots of them. My friend and I sat and recollected our adventures catching fireflies as children. I would catch them and hold them in my hand. He would collect them in mason jars stuffed with lots of grass. He would place the jar next to his bed and use the fireflies as a night light.

My years of studying animal behavior have introduced me to lots of interesting things about fireflies. Did you know that there several different species of fireflies? And that the lighting frequency and pattern is indicative of the species? The lighting frequency helps males find females for mating. Now, that I think back, I was interfering with the love life of many fireflies in my youth. Oh, well. Chasing and catching fireflies is a summer time ritual. I encourage kids (of all ages) to look out for fireflies in the early nightfall hours. It's relaxing and a perfect way to spend time with your family.

There is a species of predatory fireflies, the Photuris firefly that feed on other, smaller firefly species. Female Photuris flies actually mimic the light pattern of other species and attract males who think she is available for mating. Then, womp! She pounces on the deceived males and eat them. Crazy, huh?

I also joined an online Firefly Watch Project sponsored by the Museum of Science in Boston. It's a Citizen Science Project that asks volunteers to catalog their nature observations and submit them to a database. It's fun. It's easy. Sign-up now. And for high school students, I recommend keeping notes on your contributions and let your science teacher know. You might be able to earn community service/service learning credit from your school.

Fill me in on your Urban Science Adventures!

Youth Exploring Science - YES!

Fostering a young person's interest is very important for their personal growth and development. I believe it is especially true for young people in interested in science. More often than not, urban kids don't like science and don't usually wax poetic about science lessons.

So, when I came across the story of a Miss Lakisa McPike - a teenager from inner-city St. Louis, who loved science as a kid and how it shaped her career choices brought a smile to my face. Her mother helped cultivate her interest in science since she was young by buying her science books and kits beyond that of her school curriculum. Later she participated in an after-school program called Youth Exploring Science or YES! The program provides lots of great hands-on learning activities that allow youth to explore science topics and careers in depth.

When it was time for deciding on whatmajor in college Lakisa chose biology...and graduated magna cum laude. She will be atttending graduate school this fall and majoring in medical sciences. Read more about Lakisa here.

Recycling for Cash - Earning Money this Summer

Recycling aluminum cans is a great way for kids to make money in the summer time. So many people are enjoying cold beverages so this is perfect time to collect heaps of cans. Ask your neighbors and family members if you can have their cans. Visit local parks and collect discarded cans. You’ll score heaps of can following BBQ and other get-togethers.

Collecting aluminum cans is a good deed all around – for the environment and for you. You’re helping to clean up your neighborhood and parks. You can log a number community service hours for school and/or clubs. And you can earn a lot of money. Plus, it looks great on college applications. This is a perfect way for younger kids to make money this summer. In fact, I did it myself when I was nine years old. It felt great earning my own money!

The amount of money you earn depends on the weight of cans and the price varies. The more you bring in at a time the more you earn per pound. One web site lists offer prices up to .55 cents per pound for recycled aluminum cans.

Here’s what to do:
1. Let your family know you would like to collect cans this summer for money. Ask your parents for permission to store cans some place out of the way.
2. As you collect cans empty them of all liquids and rinse them out first if you can. This makes for a cleaner collection site and fewer ants and flies hovering around.
3. Crush the cans. This helps you get a higher volume of cans in your bag. Plus it gives you a more accurate idea of how heavy your bag of aluminum cans is.
4. When poking in the trash, be careful. Wear gloves or get a grabber.
5. Ask friends, neighbors, and family members to set aluminum cans to the side for you. Arrange for a time to pick them up.
6. Visit public areas during and after major events. You’re sure to collect lots of cans then.
7. Finally, recycling the whole can. The pull tabs have no special extra value; that’s an urban legend. So don’t bother pulling them off and collecting them separately. The recycler treats it all the same.

And depending on where you live, you may be able to collect other recyclables for money, such as glass and other metal containers.

Urban Environmental Science Program - Green Works of Kansas City

I was web-surfing (read procrastinating big time - not working on my dissertation like I was supposed to) and came across this gem -- Green Works for Kansas City.

Assuming I am comprehending what I am reading right, then this organization is all about exploring urban environmental science issues in Kansas City and promoting Green Collar job opportunities for inner-city youth. Ya'll know how much I love that!

A flagship program of Green Works KC is ECOS - Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development. Students, excuse me for my school jargon, or rather participants explore environmental science topics like water filtration, public sewage and waste management, urban deforestation, recycling, and other environmental matters that impact their city.

Wow, I'm on the other side of the state, but if and when I get out that way, I will definitely look them up. I think it is a great model for agencies interested in Green Collar Job development.

Movie Recommendation: Hoot - an adventure in urban ecology & conservation

I watched the movie Hoot the other day. I loved it, as I suspected I would.
The movie involves 3 main characters – teens who are trying to save a protected species of Burrowing Owls from an impending construction projects.

What I really like about the movie:
1. It features teens being involved and caring and taking action – not being passive. They are civically engaged.
2. It showcases the beauty of nature right in front of us and encourages people to pay attention and enjoy it.
3. It introduces young people to the concept of conservation.

But it also include some of the typical (read corny) story line of the smart kid being bullied, the bully being some overweight and unintelligent heel, the cool but rebellious troublemaker, and the smart but very mean girl. Also, one of the main characters is a serious rule breaker, despite having the best intentions and passion to care – he’s an eco-vandal or eco-avenger. For the sake of the natural resources he disrupts the building site, vandalizes the builders equipment, etc. I so relate to this kid. Who doesn’t want to undermine evil corporations who exploit land, water, plant and animal resources? But I digress.

It’s a great DVD to own for kids to watch over and over again. Plus, the bonus features include educational and service projects related to conservation and environmental education presented by the National Wildlife Federation. NWF is the educational partner for the film. I've updated my blog roll to include links to this amazing organization. Be sure to browse their site - lots of great ideas for community service projects and learning activities!

So 2 big thumbs up for this movie and the service learning projects they encourage.

PhD Position in Urban Ecology

Okay, this is way down the line for my target audience, but hey I believe in dangling carrots to inspire and motivate learners. Plus, it offers some detail about what real urban ecology research is all about.

The candidate will investigate the effect of fragmentation on spatial patterns of selected species and invertebrate communities in urban environments; radio-track hedgehogs; sample and identify flying and ground-dwelling invertebrates such as bees, carabid beetles or snails; analyze their functional assemblage with uni- and multivariate techniques and publish the results in international journals.

Detailed project information is available at: http://www.cces.ethz.ch/projects/sulu/ENHANCE
(project module 2, task 4).

Details about the application are available from:
http://www.telejob.ch/telejob/offer.xml?offer=11376

specifically:
http://www.wsl.ch/info/stellen/547e.pdf
(Do not send applications by email!)

Dr. Martin K. Obrist
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland

Keep E-Waste Out of Landfills

Some things just don’t belong in a landfill, no matter what. Disposed electronics and batteries that operate them are classic examples – some people call it e-waste. These materials just don’t degrade – they are not BIOdegradable. I other words, they aren’t made of organic or once living materials. Electronics are made of plastics, glass, and wires made from heavy metails . Leaving them exposed to wind, sun and water won’t deteriorate them like wood, and batteries are the worse. They leak materials in the soil that literally poisons the earth. Electronic waste accounts for 70 percent of the overall toxic waste that you currently find in landfills. In addition to valuable metals like aluminum, electronics often contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury. The best thing to do is recycle the materials, but I know that’s not easy to do. Our “easy” lifestyles actually make it hard to do the right thing.

Don’t throw away
· Old TVs, radios
· Telephones, cellular phones, answering machines, fax machines
· Computers, computer screens, scanners
· Cameras, digital recorders, camcorders, tape recorders
· Compact fluorescent light bulbs
· Batteries – no matter what size from watch batteries to car batteries
· Paint
What to do instead
· Consider fixing it, upgrading it and keep using it
· Donate it
· Recycle it
· Drop it off at a proper facility, often a municipally managed program


Visit Earth911 and you can tell them where you live what you have to throw away and it will list nearby recycling facilities.
Call your city waste office and they can tell you proper ways to dispose of these items. Some cities have special drop-off centers and pick up days for “special trash”.
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to learn more about e-waste and how to properly dispose of it.

Happy World Environment Day!

photo credit responsiblechina.com