Science in the Mountains: A Passport to Science

The Mount Washington Observatory is pleased to announce Science in the Mountains: A Passport to Science 2009. Through videoconferencing technology, we will journey to Montreal, Ontario, New York City, Indiana, Miami and even Australia, where scientists from around the world will discuss a variety of topics based on our environment.

The Passport to Science programs will be held on six successive Wednesday evenings beginning on July 15 at 7 p.m. All programs will be held at the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center in North Conway. Thanks to the support of the North Country Region New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, admission is free.

The 2009 series follows two very successful summer lecture series, the Climate Change Lecture series in 2007 and our first Passport to Science series in 2008. The programs have proved to be quite popular, so we encourage you to arrive early to claim your seat.

The preliminary schedule for Passport to Science 2009 is as follows. Presenters and topics are subject to change, so please check back for updates.

July 15 – United Nations, New York City, New York

We'll begin our series by visiting the UN to hear from Jim Sniffen about the Environmental Issues in the 21st Century. Jim Sniffen is a senior information officer with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). At the United Nations, Mr. Sniffen reports and consults with UN entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. His educational work does much to support the understanding of environmental issues. He is actively engaged in major international environmental celebrations such as World Water Day and World Environment Day.

July 22 – The Biosphère, Montreal, Canada

Next, we'll travel north to experience A Change in the Air. Renè Brunet, an educator of the Biosphère, Environment Canada, will discuss the very latest scientific information on air quality and climate change, their impacts on the environment and what we can do about it. It includes several visual simulations and provides an opportunity for exchanges between participants and an expert facilitator.

The Biosphère is an exclusive venue to better understand major environmental issues, including those related to water, air, climate change, sustainable development and responsible consumption.

July 29 – Reef HQ Aquarium, Townsville, Australia

Take a trip down under to the Reef HQ Aquarium, where just about 65 million years ago, the Australian continent formed a part of the land mass called Gondwana, which was located in the cold southern waters. As it broke away and drifted north into tropical waters, a coral reef system started to grow on the continental shelf along the eastern coastline. Today, covering more than 133,000 square miles, the Great Barrier Marine Park is recognized as a unique area of outstanding value to humankind and a jewel in the crown of the world's natural wonders. Take a closer look without even getting your feet wet!

August 5 – Miami Science Museum, Miami, Florida

Meet Greta Mealey, Director of the Falcon Batchelor Bird of Prey Center and Wildlife Center at the Miami Science Museum, and find out what it's like When Animals Talk. Greta is an accomplished wildlife researcher and educator and is the principal investigator for the study of the "Demographics of the Florida Box Turtle in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park". Mrs. Mealey has also designed and implemented informal wildlife and science programming in Miami-Dade Counties Public and Private schools since 1993. She is a co-investigator and author involving wildlife throughout the Florida Keys: Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Diamondback Terrapin Turtles, Mangrove Water Snakes and the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.

August 12 – Royal Botanical Gardens, Ontario, Canada

Visit Canada's largest botanical garden and one of the country's premier cultural, education and scientific institutions, where educator Karin Davidson-Taylor will present Human Impacts of the Ecosystem. When you walk in a forest, a meadow or a wetland, is it the same as it was 100 years ago? Probably not. Karin will take y through the past 200 years and explore how we have impacted our biodiverse ecosystem.

Royal Botanical Gardens' living collection of cultivated gardens and nature sanctuaries create the opportunity for people to see and explore the connections between plants and human communities. Royal Botanical Gardens enjoys a worldwide reputation based on its first-class horticultural collection and natural lands.

August 19 – Life Science Education Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

And last, but definitely not least, we'll visit the Life Science Education Center in Indiana to find out more of what's in the news today about epidemiology. The Centers for Disease Control provide health and life saving information about epidemics that may concern our nation and citizens, but what are scientists studying and discovering? The Life Science Education Center at Marian University will share some of the science behind current issues and research related to epidemiology. By learning more about some of the microscopic organisms that affect our health and the implication and effects of disease on a population over time, we will become more knowledgeable citizens.

For more information, please contact Educational Outreach Coordinator, Michelle Cruz, at mcruz@mountwashington.org or (800) 706-0432 ext. 225.