Ohio Science Olympiad Teams Up with Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is offering OHSO teams free tickets to any CMNH Explorer Series event this 2018-19 season. The Explorer Series connects you to leaders of scientific discovery. Listen to experts, adventurers and explorers as they illuminate breakthroughs and challenges facing the world of natural history, natural science, human health and sustainability.
Ohio Science Olympiad team coaches can request free tickets for team members for the following events:
OCTOBER 26, 2018
ROBERT MCCRACKEN PECK
SENIOR FELLOW, ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA
"To the Ends of the Earth for Science: A Life in Exploration"
You won't want to miss this chance to travel to the ends of the earth for science with a recipient of the Explorers Club’s renowned Explorers Award and the Garden Club of America’s Sarah Chapman Francis Medal for environmental writing. Experience the highlights of a life spent exploring the world, from the Andes to the Amazon, and the Himalayas to the Mongolian steppes. Hear sometimes hilarious, sometimes terrifying, but always fascinating tales of adventure around the globe.
NOVEMBER 16, 2018
DR. MADELEINE THOMSON
SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST, INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE AND SOCIETY
"Protecting Health in a Changing Climate: Opportunities for Action"
2017 was a catastrophic year for weather-related loss of life around the globe. The climate crisis has arrived and public health officials must learn to deal with the effects of today in addition to searching for solutions for tomorrow. Learn what decision makers should know in order to better understand the climate and reduce current and future climate risks to health from disease, disasters and malnutrition.
DECEMBER 7, 2018
DR. JOSEPH GAYDOS
SENIOR WILDLIFE VETERINARIAN AND SCIENCE DIRECTOR FOR THE SEADOC SOCIETY, UC DAVIS KAREN C. DRAYER WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTER
"Saving the Salish Sea"
The Salish Sea is a 17,000 sq. kilometer inland sea shared by Washington State, British Columbia and dozens of Coast Salish tribes and First Nations. Only named in 2009, this coastal treasure is home to three types of killer whales, the world’s largest octopus, seabirds that can dive to 500 feet deep, and fish and invertebrates that can live to be over 100 years old. But how do you save such a magnificent place when 8 million people live along the shores? Learn more about this amazing marine ecosystem and what place-based conservation efforts are underway to keep the Salish Sea at the foundation of the region’s economy and its inhabitants' spiritual and social well-being.
Book signing to follow lecture.
FEBRUARY 15, 2019
ROBERTA MUEHLHEIM
ASSISTANT CURATOR OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY, CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
"The Amazing Life of Amphibians"
Amphibians have played a significant role in our global ecosystem for roughly 350 million years. The success of amphibians is due to the evolution of some remarkable and novel adaptations. Their many unique approaches to life and survival have not only benefited amphibians, but have proven to be vitally important to human health and medicine. Unfortunately, as one of the most rapidly declining vertebrate groups on the planet, their existence and contributions are in jeopardy. Evidence suggests that these declines are heavily influenced by human activities. Join a discussion about not only their amazing abilities but also their importance to life on the planet.
Co-sponsored by the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.
MARCH 15, 2019
DR. VIKRAM SHYAM
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, PETAL/NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN, NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER
"Biocene: Beyond Evolution"
Humans have used nature and emulated biology throughout our history. We look at the evolution of bionic design and the future it may forge. This future will mark the dawn of synthetic life, living machines, nature-inspired artificial intelligence and the emergence of humans as a solar system species, a species that figured out how to live sustainably and overcome the enormous challenges it faced. PeTaL, The Periodic Table of Life, is an attempt to usher in this future by using AI to systematically learn from nature and architect sustainable solutions to human problems.
APRIL 5, 2019
HARVEY WEBSTER
CHIEF WILDLIFE OFFICER AND MUSEUM AMBASSADOR, CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
"Illuminating the Perils and Reflecting on the Possibilities for Birds in Urban Landscapes"
The built human landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities for birds. On one hand, many species have successfully used building roofs as nesting habitats. On the other, glass and brightly lit buildings kill thousands of birds passing through Ohio every year. This illustrated program will explore the perils and possibilities for birds in the urban environment and how we can create more sustainable cities, citing examples like the local Lights Out Cleveland citizen science initiative.
To request tickets to these events, coaches of registered Ohio Science Olympiad teams must email scienceolympiad@osu.edu contact information (name and email address) and the number of requested tickets.
Please note that tickets do not include event parking, which is $10 in the museum garage, or $6 for CMNH members.
Tickets to these events are limited so be sure to submit requests in a timely manner.