Blog

We’ve all heard that coral reefs are under threat from climate change. We’ve seen the devastating photos of coral bleaching: rising ocean temperatures cause these catastrophic events. As if a warming ocean wasn’t enough, the corals are facing another hazard. Over the last 200 years, humans have released about two trillion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; about of a quarter of that has entered the ocean. All this carbon dioxide is slowly making the ocean more acidic – called ocean acidification.

There’s a whole universe of life in the ocean we can’t see – thousands of tiny animals make up the zooplankton. Animals we commonly see in tidepools, and sometimes on our plates, begin their lives drifting in plankton. Planktonic larval stage in life gives species a way to disperse. The larvae develop while adrift at sea, often going through many stages before reaching adult body form. 

With all the wacko news lately, I wasn’t sure what the vibe was going to be at the National Science Teachers Conference in Atlanta.What I discovered was that even a downpour from the ceiling at the convention center couldn't dampen the mood. In fact, as we were ushered from the exhibit hall floor for a 3.5 hour wait while they fixed the air conditioning leak-- I saw more smiles and laughter and new friendships being forged than anything else.We talk a lot about adaptation here at Shape of Life. Science teachers certainly illustrate this concept. Over the course of 4 days we were able to talk with lots of teachers and most shared that they feel it’s an even more important time to 'hang tough' for science education. And, believe me, based upon the energy we experienced, we have no doubt science education will prevail.    

Scientists use a tree with branches to represent the common ancestry and evolutionary relationships of earth’s different kinds of organisms. In 1859 Charles Darwin sketched a Tree of Life in his book, “The Origin of Species”. He was explaining how a genus of related species might have originated from a common ancestor. This was the beginning of using a tree as a model for evolution. Since then there have been thousands of Tree of Life drawings as our knowledge has increased.In 1992 a friend of ours, the artist Ray Troll, created his own gorgeous and quirky version. Since then he has created trees for various animal groups, which we think are delightful and engaging. So, when our friend, biologist Chuck Baxter, was turning 90, we decided to ask Ray to create a new animal Tree of Life for him and for the Shape of Life. Ray agreed, saying “It was a great honor to be asked to do something for Chuck Baxter on such a momentous occasion!”

Citizen Science is a global movement through which citizens of all ages make observations, monitor species, collect data, and help answer scientific questions. Scientists initiate the projects, which come from a need for more observations. Citizen scientists make real contributions to the world of science.Explore how you can tap into your inner scientist while contributing to some amazing studies.

By Natasha Fraley At Shape of Life, we present sponges as the first animals. But recently several scientists make a case for ctenophores (common name comb jelly) being the first animal.  As of today scientists still don’t agree on the issue. This is an example of “science in action” where new research and technologies call into question long held science. This is basically how science works. The evolving nature of science will have a major influence on science teaching in the classroom. 

At time when investors and philanthropists are sinking tons of moola into Edtech, (growing from $75bn in 2014 to $120bn in 2019!), and development in adaptive learning, voice recognition, and machine learning is growing off-the-hook— I wonder what the long-term effect will be on the cultivation of life skills. You know, things like hooking a worm onto your fishing line.Nothing can replace a tactile, personal relationship with the natural world...

“If you think the ocean isn't important, imagine Earth without it. Mars comes to mind. No ocean, no life support system.” Sylvia Earle The ocean covers 71 percent of our planet. Ocean scientists, educators and policy specialists came together to define ocean literacy and to create seven principles.‘Ocean literacy is defined as an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.’ Here are the seven ocean literacy principles....

What is coral bleaching? When ocean waters warm beyond normal ranges, corals eject the photosynthetic algae that live inside them. It’s these symbiotic algae that provide the corals essential nutrients. When the algae are gone, the corals are stressed and can easily die if the temperatures stay too high.Coral bleaching started in the 1980s as periodic events in the tropical ocean. As global ocean temperatures increase due to global worming, bleaching events have become more frequent. Now, when El Nino causes temperature spikes the effects are devastating. There have been three worldwide mass bleaching events since 1998.

Since the new year started, we’ve been busy. Yes, we’ve been attending conferences, generating content and meeting with science teachers throughout the country. But, we’ve also been marching. A lot. Let’s see, it started with The Women’s March on January 21st, rolled into the March for Science on April 22nd and topped off with the People’s Climate March on April 29th.Seems weird to be marching for science—but, OKAY. We ‘Woman-ed Up’, put on our ‘sensible shoes’, cooked-up clever phrases for homemade signs and gave up weekends. Why? Because if we don’t, the world may become an intolerable place for our children.By: Denise Ryan