Lab Out Loud

Latest Episodes:

Learn about Simple Machines with a Graphic Novel Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

Nathan Schreiber returns to Lab Out Loud to talk about his newest project using a graphic novel to teach physics concepts. In Big Trouble with Simple Machines, Schreiber's characters solve problems using their knowledge of simple machines, with each chapter providing a new challenge with ramps, wedges, screws, levers, pulleys, wheels, and axles. There is even an illustrated appendix guiding readers to make and experience their own simple machines! Nathan joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss the recently released graphic novel, how comic book art can engage students in learning science, and how his work can portray science concepts in a way that photographs cannot.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2019/04/episode-204-simple-machines-graphic-novel/

Invite a Scientist into your Classroom with SKYPE a Scientist Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Lab Out Loud's guest this week is Sarah McAnulty, squid biologist and founder of Skype a Scientist. Using SKYPE or other video chat tools, SKYPE a Scientist connects real scientists with classes around the world. Through these video sessions, classes can learn more about the scientist's field of study, what it means to be a scientist and how they do their job. Sarah joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about the program, and how it promotes scientific literacy, communication and outreach. Listen to the show to find out how you can be matched with a scientist or join a live Q&A session held weekly.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2019/03/episode-203-skype-a-scientist/

Women in STEM Picture Book Biographies Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

This week Lab Out Loud welcomes Laurie Wallmark to the show. As a computer science teacher and award-winning children's author, Laurie has been writing picture book biographies that recognize women in STEM. Her breakout book Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine (Creston Books) debuted in 2017 and was readily recognized with numerous awards. Laurie's most recent book, Hedy Lamarr's Double Life, was just released in February from Sterling Children's Books. Listen to the show to hear Laurie discuss Hedy Lamarr in her new book, how she chooses women in STEM to write about, and why her work is so important.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2019/02/episode-202-women-in-stem/

What is Life? A Podcast Series from Carl Zimmer Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

This week Lab Out Loud welcomes science writer Carl Zimmer to the show. As Zimmer often writes about life, he has been wondering about the concept of life and if there is a way to properly define it. To shed some light on the matter, he recently hosted a series of live conversations with some leading thinkers on life—including chemists, physicists, and a philosopher. Supported by a grant from Science Sandbox, these conversations are now available as a podcast series with seven episodes called "What is Life?" Zimmer joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss the concept of life, shares some insights from his guests and even reveals how his thinking about life changed based on these conversations.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/2019/02/episode-201-what-is-life/

4000 Exoplanets and Counting Feb 04, 2019

Show notes

For their 200th episode, Lab Out Loud welcomes Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer) back to the show. Phil joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to discuss the current status of exoplanet discovery and shares a glimpse of what we might find in the future. Listen to the show to hear Phil discuss new techniques and technology in planet hunting, looking for life on other worlds and the role of science in science fiction.

Show notes at: https://laboutloud.com/?p=4458

Are Insects Disappearing from your Biology Textbook? Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

Are you noticing less insects in your biology textbook? You're not alone. Jennifer Landin, with student and co-author Kiran Gangwani, recently decided to quantify the coverage of insects in college-level introductory biology textbooks over time. By exploring the coverage of insect diversity concepts, the visual representation of insects, and conducting a text analysis of keywords, they discovered a significant decline in biology textbook content dedicated to insects, along with an increasingly neutral tone in addressing the animal kingdom's largest group. Jennifer joins Lab Out Loud to discuss her research, how it mirrors the decline of natural history in education, and the implications that taxonomic bias might have on our understanding of ecosystems and human society.

Show notes: https://laboutloud.com/2019/01/episode-199-disappearing-insects/

Learn the Science, Live the Book with STEM Read Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

Gillian King-Cargile and Dr. Kristin Brynteson join co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler this week to talk about STEM Read - a program from Northern Illinois University that uses live and online programs to inspire a broad range of readers to learn more about the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in popular fiction. Listen to Lab Out Loud to learn more about STEM Read and the educational opportunities it offers, including book-aligned lesson plans, a podcast featuring an author or STEM expert and even a STEM Read Summer Institute.

Engineering Thinking and Design in STEM Toys and Books Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

This week, listen to Lab Out Loud discuss STEM gifts with Monica Cardella and Elizabeth Gajdzik from Purdue’s INSPIRE Research Institute. Each year, the INSPIRE lab evaluates toys, games, and books that engage girls and boys in engineering thinking and design. Monica and Elizabeth join co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about some gifts on the list, how they are evaluated and to share some advice for educators who would like to incorporate STEM toys and Makerspaces in their instruction.

Show notes at:

https://laboutloud.com/2018/12/episode-197-stem-toys/

STEM Learning with the Misty II Advanced Personal Robot Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

This week co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler talk with Tim Enwall, CEO of Misty Robotics. A spin-off company from Sphero, Inc., Misty Robotics is focused on building personal robots for the home and office. They recently announced Misty II, a first-of-its-kind easily programmable robot, complete with a special program for STEM teachers and students. Listen to Lab Out Loud to hear about the growing robotics industry, Misty II's revolutionary new capabilities, and how teachers and students might use Misty II in the classroom - like taking attendance with a robot!

Show notes:

https://laboutloud.com/2018/11/episode-196-mistyii/

Learning With Your Feet and Other Ways to Improve Your Timefulness Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

This week Lab Out Loud talks about time. Extensive time. Time that grounds geologic thinking as a way to unlock the earth's past. Marcia Bjornerud, Professor of Environmental Studies and Geology at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, joins co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler to talk about her recent book Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World. Listen to the show to hear how you can learn about the world using your feet, find connections to earth science careers, and help your students appreciate time as a means to fully view the world in four dimensions.

Show notes at:

https://laboutloud.com/2018/11/episode-195-timefulness/

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