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2013-04-06 04:01:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Hi all! It's really great to see this community coming together here. I'm an Assc Professor of Science Education and Science Communication at the University of Alberta and very interested in building science culture in Canada. I'm also a sometimes writer and blogger focusing on science media and education issues http://boundaryvision.com/ (ya, I know I need to get back to posting there...). You can find me on twitter (@mcshanahan) or more likely at my desk trying to stay off twitter while I catch up from a busy teaching term. Terrific to meet you all.

2012-05-29 13:30:28 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 6 +1s)

A recent study suggested feminine role models might discourage girls in science. I think it misses the point.

2012-05-06 15:27:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Tonight at 6 pm MDT, guest host +Marie-Claire Shanahan talks to +Tom Levenson, Professor of Science Writing at MIT, about his book Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist. Join us live in the chat!

2012-05-04 13:13:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Live, Sunday at 6 pm MDT, guest host +Marie-Claire Shanahan talks to +Tom Levenson, Professor of Science Writing at MIT, about his book Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist. Email questions, or join us live in the chat!

2012-05-02 04:00:39 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

New +The Finch & Pea song of the week!

“Plants and Animals rock so hard, they end up overloading all the scientists’ fancy equipment“

That’s a pretty accurate description of the video for Plants and Animals‘ satisfying, pared-down anthem Lightshow. The Montreal-based trio go about rocking under controlled conditions while they are observed by two researchers. Every sound creates a digital graphic output while the lab-coated scientists struggle to tune a classic cathode-ray tube oscilloscope in the control room. In the end...

http://thefinchandpea.com/2012/04/30/plants-and-animals-lightshow-and-our-fascination-with-visualizing-sound/

2012-04-26 16:05:48 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Charming kids, a happy mom, David Attenborough references, and a photosynthesis t-shirt: This week's +The Finch & Pea Song of the Week post has all that and more!

2012-04-17 19:45:25 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I had a wonderful chat on Sunday night with Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet, together known as the great duo Whitehorse, about their song Killing Time and why mortality is such a powerful songwriting theme. This week's Song of the Week at +The Finch & Pea.

2012-04-13 23:24:14 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

I had a wonderful time chatting with +David Dobbs recently as guest host of +Skeptically Speaking. As a result, I may have to rethink my undergrad lectures on the nature of science and just give them time to read about Alex Agassiz instead!

2012-04-01 13:00:57 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Live tonight at 6 MDT, guest host +Marie-Claire Shanahan talks to science writer +David Dobbs about his book Reef Madness: Charles Darwin, Alexander Agassiz, and the Meaning of Coral. The book recounts the century-long controversy over the origins of coral reefs, and how that debate influenced evolutionary theory. Join us in the chat!

2012-03-23 23:57:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the first Rock and Roll show with…Guided by Voices

http://thefinchandpea.com/2012/03/23/celebrating-the-60th-anniversary-of-the-first-rock-and-roll-show-with-guided-by-voices/

Nearly 20, 000 people were beating on the doors of a venue that would hold less than 10, 000 shouting “Let us in!” Tickets for the second night had all been printed with the same date as the first. The police waded into the crowd and ordered the opening act, Paul “Huckerbuckers” Williams to stop shortly after he began. A man was stabbed as the confused crowd dispersed. On the surface, The Moondog Coronation Ball, March 21, 1952 in Cleveland, was a total disaster.

2012-03-12 16:58:12 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

+Marie-Claire Shanahan continues to find scientific inspiration in song, and share it with us. This week we have Rich Aucoin's "It": http://youtu.be/xkuWgXhzxg4

2012-02-28 00:41:41 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Available to download: guest host +Marie-Claire Shanahan talks science and storytelling with +Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook. And Desiree Schell speaks with +Scientific American blog editor +Bora Zivkovic, about a science storytelling event in Edmonton.

2012-02-25 19:42:13 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

So excited to be hosting +Bora Zivkovic in Edmonton in two weeks. If you're in town, join us Friday, March 9 for a great evening of science, story telling, music and more.

2012-02-25 19:35:05 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

One of my favourite +The Finch & Pea sciencey songs of the week so far, Dan Mangan's beautiful "About as helpful as you can be without being any help at all" is not only a great song but one that includes a shout out to a science artist I hold dear.

2012-02-19 20:20:05 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

We're taking a break from live recording this week. Guest host +Marie-Claire Shanahan's interview with +Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook, will be available to download on Friday, 2/24.

2012-02-18 19:46:20 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 1 +1s)

My new sciency Song of the Week post at +The Finch & Pea is up!

2012-02-11 17:44:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I spent some time thinking this week about the challenges and value of telling the stories of being involved in science.

2012-02-11 16:09:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-02-06 04:37:27 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 2 +1s)

2011-12-21 17:29:22 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

Last week, my friend +K.O. Myers pointed me towards a comment thread that might make anyone interested in public discussion about science sigh in frustration. To cleanse my palette and think a bit more about what those comment threads mean, I compared it to some terrific writing from middle school students.

2011-12-09 19:43:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Guest blog post: kids' books make great gift ideas for the little scientists on your list. http://bit.ly/unx6ig

2011-12-08 18:25:23 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 2 +1s)

The post that I wrote about talented scientist-musicians Robin Woywitka and Paul Farrant was nominated for Open Lab 2012, best of science blogging anthology. And while it didn't make the final cut, the editor +Jennifer Ouellette highlighted it among the ones that she was sad to cut. Kinda made my night.
Also on the list are terrific posts by +Emily Willingham, +Hannah Waters, +Mo Costandi, +Andrew David Thaler, +Emily Finke and more!

2011-12-07 02:13:34 (0 comments, 6 reshares, 11 +1s)

Like to read about science? This is the reading list you've been waiting for: the finalists whose work will be included in this year's Open Lab anthology celebrating excellence in online science writing. It includes everything from seafood to beards, space travel to addiction. This edition of Open Lab is edited by +Jennifer Ouellette and includes great writers like +Ed Yong, +Deborah Blum, +Maryn McKenna, +Jason Goldman, +Jennifer Frazer, +Maggie Koerth-Baker, +Eric Michael Johnson, +Kathryn Clancy, +David Dobbs, +Carl Zimmer, +Christie Wilcox, +Greg Gbur and so many more!

2011-12-06 15:46:39 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

Marking the anniversary of the killing of female engineering students at École Polytechnique in Montreal and what it meant to me as a young high school science student.

2011-11-29 01:09:13 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

+Janet D. Stemwedel's great post questioning the motivation of science kits for girls reminds me of my Grade 11 spring break. I loved science in high school (obviously I still do) and wanted to participate in an internship or lab experience during school break. When I went to the guidance office, the only science opportunity was advertised with pink and purple butterflies and said something like "Finally, science just for girls! Come learn about the science of your life. Make lip balm and perfume and learn about the science of beauty products." I said (out loud if I recall), "Oh god, that sounds awful". I spent the break on a political internship and met the Prime Minister instead. Pretty sure it was a net gain. (via +Bora Zivkovic)

2011-11-28 23:55:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Cool, the +Skeptically Speaking Culture and Tradition panel that I sat on with +Greg Laden and +Eric Michael Johnson is now available for download. This was so much fun to record! I could have listened to Greg and Eric all day and had to remember to stay sharp to remember to contribute too. Thanks Desiree and +K.O. Myers for having me on the show.

2011-11-21 21:24:30 (8 comments, 4 reshares, 12 +1s)

This is a terrific new video about the importance of including evolution in school science education. It highlights scientists, researchers and science writers sharing their passion for the central place that evolution holds in biological education.

It was made by +Matt Shipman +David Wescott +kevin zelnio +Jamie Vernon and +Andrea Kuszewski and includes contributions from amazing friends and colleagues +Emily Willingham +Jeanne Garbarino +Carin Bondar and many more. (Also includes a contribution from yours truly, looking like a nervous deer in headlights in front of the camera)

2011-11-21 20:43:15 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Another great post that I read this weekend: +David Dobbs on why science media need to get over their obsession with blaming behaviour on genes.

2011-11-21 19:58:57 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Did you know that +Scientific American Magazine (and Blogs!) is now on Google+? Go and circle it!

2011-11-21 19:12:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Download now: we speak to Eugenie Scott, Executive Director, and Steven Newton, Programs and Policy Director, at +NCSE, the National Center for Science Education, about evolution as a political issue. And anthropologist and blogger +Greg Laden analyzes the fallout from the so-called “climategate” emails.

2011-11-21 18:27:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Need a holiday present idea for sciency kid? YES Mag and KNOW are terrific Canadian science magazines, and for this first time ever they're having a sale on subscriptions.

2011-11-21 18:24:56 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Very interesting and important post about the scientific evidence for pepper spray risks, written by the great +Deborah Blum, author of the The Poisoner's Handbook.

2011-11-20 23:39:51 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

I'm very excited to be joining +Greg Laden +Eric Michael Johnson and +Kyra Gaunt-Palmer, Ph.D. to talk about culture and tradition on Skeptically Speaking. In preparation, I spent some time thinking about some traditional ideas in science education. To hear more join us tonight at 6 p.m. Mountain Time: http://skepticallyspeaking.ca/

2011-11-19 06:03:02 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Of interest to Desiree Schell, +Skeptically Speaking +Kyra Gaunt-Palmer, Ph.D. +Marie-Claire Shanahan +Eric Michael Johnson

2011-11-16 19:06:56 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Live, Sunday at 6 pm MT, it's a panel discussion on the origins and influence of tradition, with biological anthropologist +Greg Laden science education researcher +Marie-Claire Shanahan, ethnomusicologist +Kyra Gaunt-Palmer, Ph.D. and primatologist +Eric Michael Johnson. Email questions, or join us live in the chat!

2011-11-14 22:50:09 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Recently, I celebrated the first anniversary of my blog Boundary Vision. To mark the occasion, I've made some cool improvements around the site, including a great new header and design. I'm pretty excited about the new look!

2011-11-11 19:14:01 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

TEACHERS! Do you totally dig music? If so, check out Dr. +Lodge McCammon's FIZZ page on FB to participate in a contest if you would like him to write a song for one of your lessons. The deadline for submission is next Monday - 11/14/2011. (Want to spread this around, +Marie-Claire Shanahan?)

2011-11-11 18:29:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

As part of my job as a Research Ethics Board member, I was reviewing and analyzing some of the new Canadian research ethics policy document yesterday. It is the policy that guides the ethics boards at all Canadian institutions that receive federal money for research with human participants. Whenever I work with the document I am pleased by how much of it endeavors not only to protect research participants from harm but also to protect researchers and support the research process. For example:

"Where social sciences or humanities researchers seek knowledge that critiques or challenges the policies and practices of institutions, governments, interest groups or corporations, researchers do not need to seek the organization’s permission to proceed with the proposed research. If institutional approval were required, it is unlikely that research could be conducted effectively on such matters asi... more »

2011-11-04 23:58:09 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

I also posted a recording of a webinar I did in September for the Women in Engineering ProActive Network. It was a great opportunity to chat with engineers and science outreach professionals about some of my research in identity development and persistence in science courses and degree programs. And it was my first webinar!

2011-11-04 23:54:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

My computer was in sick bay all week, so I just realized that I hadn't shared a couple of recent posts here. Here's the first:

A couple of weeks ago I traveled to Flagstaff for my first meeting of the National Association of Science Writers. It was a terrific conference. As a new member though, and one who doesn't necessarily fit the usual profile, I partly used the conference to develop my understanding of what it means to be a science writer today. This post describes what I learned while rafting through the Glen Canyon with science writers.

2011-10-30 14:59:01 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Loved this week's Science-Art Scumble, especially this paleo themed piece by a teen artist. Thoughtful, sciency and beautifully executed. Cool stuff.

2011-10-27 15:02:08 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

There is so much to love about the idea of Family Science Night. Here is a lovely description by +Mariette DiChristina-Gerosa about one recently co-hosted by Scientific American, the New York Academy of Sciences and the Children's Aid Society.

2011-10-27 05:09:21 (0 comments, 5 reshares, 4 +1s)

This is a fascinating example of the way that blog writing gives us a window into scientific discussions that might have otherwise not have been seen publicly. Scientific American bloggers +Kathryn Clancy and Sci Curious recently paired up to post critical responses to a research paper claiming that estrogen levels and maternal desires are related. Today, the first author of the paper used the SciAm Guest Blog to respond. Kate and Sci and +Emily Willingham have taken the discussion even further in the comments. A very interesting read!

2011-10-26 22:43:48 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

I've decided to revisit (and resurrect) my Tumblr series of quotes and advice from early science education textbooks with two great excerpts from the 1950s: one stressing the importance of matching science teaching with assessment and another reminding us of the value of authentic scientific experiences. It's sometimes surprising how contemporary and insightful these lessons still are.

2011-10-26 03:43:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Yes, ScienceOnline now has a Facebook page. Thank you +Emily Finke for setting it up. Please "Like" it - that is another way to stay updated on this, if I can say so, most awesome conference!

2011-10-24 19:41:07 (0 comments, 4 reshares, 9 +1s)

I really enjoyed this creative and touching post by +Christie Wilcox: the painful feelings of rejection that we all know, interwoven with scientific explanations.

2011-10-23 05:11:41 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Jane Goodall was the keynote speaker today at the Alberta Teachers Association Science Council Conference. While much of the speech seemed cobbled together from other talks, I was moved by her stories of her mother's encouragement of her interest in science, asking her always to explain her interest in animals rather than scolding her for bringing them home or staying out late to observe them. Seems to me like the exact right way to approach an interested child.

2011-10-23 05:03:26 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

This is sure to be an excellent interview with science writer +Carl Zimmer about his new book A Planet of Viruses. I'm hoping I can make it to the chat during the live recording.

2011-10-15 18:21:21 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Had a great time last night presenting a 5 minute Ignite talk at the National Association of Science Writers meeting, sharing advice I've gotten from 10 and 11 year olds about writing science well. I knew I couldn't go wrong by sharing quotes from smart and insightful kids!

2011-10-12 17:36:48 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

To go along with my post about children's picture books, I also interviewed author Daniel Loxton about how he created the beautiful dinosaur images in Ankylosaur Attack. He shared some very cool pictures with me to show the process.