SciFund Challenge: The Aquatic Projects
SciFund Challenge: The Aquatic Projects avatar

I cannot say it any better than Jai and Jarrett so in their own words The #SciFund Challenge is an experiment – can scientists use crowdfunding to fund their research? The current rate of funding for science proposals in the U.S. is ~20%. The current rate for crowdfunding statues of RoboCop in Detroit is 135% – to . . . → Read More: SciFund Challenge: The Aquatic Projects

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Shouldn’t We Be More Skeptical of the DeepChallenger Dive?
Shouldn’t We Be More Skeptical of the DeepChallenger Dive? avatar

This is an invited contribution.  A marine biologist, who posts here under the pseudonym, Dour Marine Biologist, offers a counter to the media and even DSN hype on Cameron’s dive.  I find these points below worth consideration and dialogue.  I want to hear your comments below. Since James Cameron’s record-breaking dive on March 26th the media . . . → Read More: Shouldn’t We Be More Skeptical of the DeepChallenger Dive?

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I Got 99 Problems and a Ship Ain’t One
I Got 99 Problems and a Ship Ain’t One avatar

When I say I am going on research cruise, I get two responses. 1. “Well that sounds nice, do they serve cocktails and is there shuffleboard?”  2. “How much a day does a ship cost?” In response to one, I do enjoy working at sea. If I didn’t I would be on fast track to . . . → Read More: I Got 99 Problems and a Ship Ain’t One

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Direct from the bench and the trench: a DSN core value
Direct from the bench and the trench: a DSN core value avatar

A month ago, I spoke of DSN’s new pathway for dialogue about the oceans and ocean science.  We have committed to demystifying and humanizing science in an open conversation that instills passion, awe, and responsibility for the oceans. Part of this vision for DSN was establish a set of core values that transcended just this . . . → Read More: Direct from the bench and the trench: a DSN core value

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NSF Ideas Lab on Advancing and Visualizing the Tree of Life
NSF Ideas Lab on Advancing and Visualizing the Tree of Life avatar

I finally made it to Lake Placid.  Yes, after a 6 hour drive drinking iced coffee and belting out some Gaga, I’m super excited to be here. This week, I am one of 35 scientists selected to attend a National Science Foundation “Ideas Lab” focused on Advancing and Visualizing the Tree of Life (AVAToL).  The . . . → Read More: NSF Ideas Lab on Advancing and Visualizing the Tree of Life

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Why is a successful NSF science education program being cancelled?
Why is a successful NSF science education program being cancelled? avatar

Just a few months ago in his State of the Union address, President Obama called for more science education. As always, this is desperately needed to counteract anti-scientific political antics. From a Wired pieces called “7 Science-Education Battlegrounds of 2011″: Less than four months into 2011, lawmakers in seven states have proposed nine pieces of . . . → Read More: Why is a successful NSF science education program being cancelled?

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Scripps library update
Scripps library update avatar

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Scripps library being closed due to budget problems. Nothing’s changed with the budget situation, but many people at Scripps and in the science community as a whole are working to mitigate this sad situation. Here’s the updates: Scripps library director Peter Bruggeman commented on my previous post . . . → Read More: Scripps library update

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NPR’s oil spill Hat Trick
NPR’s oil spill Hat Trick avatar

Once again this week, NPR was subtly poking us all with a stick—“Hey, remember that oil spill that happened last year?” I love NPR. ‘Fog Of Research’ Clouds Study Of Oil’s Effects In Gulf This story really hit home, because I’ve been personally dealing with many of the frustrations mentioned in this report. There really . . . → Read More: NPR’s oil spill Hat Trick

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Budget problems may force Scripps oceanography library to close
Budget problems may force Scripps oceanography library to close avatar

View from Scripps library, by daniel_clark California is broke, largely thanks to incompetent stewardship and Proposition 13, which limits the amount of income the state can bring in from property taxes. Education in particular is being heavily cut – and this is hitting close to home for me personally as well as the oceanography . . . → Read More: Budget problems may force Scripps oceanography library to close

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Just $139
Just $139 avatar

That is all we need to fund another project.  Invertebrates in My Tank requires just $139 to  fully fund a Texas 5th grade Gifted and Talented class to develop a salt water aquarium system and stock it with varied invertebrates. So here is the challenge to you.  I need one person to step up to the . . . → Read More: Just $139

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