Scientists In Action
Connecting Students with Scientists - FREE (Recommended Grades 4- 12)
Want to take your students on an amazing field trip without the buses, permissions slips, and extensive planning? Scientists in Action connects students directly with scientists during a live, interactive broadcast from field sites or behind-the-scenes research labs. During these free, 45-minute Q&A sessions, scientists share new discoveries, demystify the scientific process, answer student questions, and open a window into science careers.
Grades: recommended for grades 4-12, but all ages welcome
Price: Scientists in Action is FREE each month.
Program Length: 45-minutes
What to Expect
During this free Q&A program, multiple classrooms from across the continent connect at once in webinar format. A select number of classrooms will be invited to ask questions as on-camera panelists. All other classrooms will be able to ask questions via an open chat and participate in interactive polls. Student questions drive a majority of the program content.
Equipment Requirements
Any computer or smart device connected to the internet. The Museum will provide the link upon registration and instructions to use the free Zoom Video Conferencing Software. A webcam with microphone access is mandatory for on-camera classrooms. A projector and external speakers are recommended for your classroom setup.1:1 classrooms, all-remote, and hybrid groups are also welcome to participate.
Connecting with us soon or have questions?
- Learn more about technology and logistics for these classes here.
- Related program materials will be emailed to participants in advance of the program date.
- Email us at [email protected]
See Past Programs
Miss a recent program or want to rewatch? Curious about what topics we’ve covered in the past? View past Scientists in Actions on our YouTube channel (2020 to present) or in our archive (before 2020).
SPECIAL EDITION! Scientists in Action: Walking With Gorillas
Grades 4 - 12
Scientists In Action
Tuesday, October 3
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka grew up knowing she wanted to help animals. After becoming Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and working with mountain gorillas however, she discovered the health of animals, humans, and the environment was more interconnected than realized and by helping one, you could help them all. Join us for this special edition of Scientists in Action as we hear from this incredible conservationist, author, and doctor whose work has been internationally recognized and awarded. Students will get to ask questions, learn more about how they may help, and leave inspired. This is a virtual event you will not want to miss - register today!
Scientists in Action: The Anthropology of Death
Grades 4 - 12
Scientists In Action
Thursday, October 26, 2023
9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. All times are Mountain Time.
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome.
Death: everyone eventually experiences it, but not everyone sees or honors it in the same way. Join anthropologist Dr. Erin Baxter as she discusses the fascinating and often inspiring ways human cultures past and present celebrate their dead, preserve (or dismantle) biological material, and ultimately face and embrace death. From exploring Día de los Muertos to sky burials and accidental mummification to ash soup, students will hear about incredible human traditions and learn how scientists can study, but also respect and honor diverse death rites worldwide. Despite the topic at hand, this virtual program with Q&A will be no grave affair. Register today!
Scientists in Action: T. rex to Turkey
Grades 4 - 12
Scientists In Action
Thursday, November 16, 2023
9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Mountain Time
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome.
Did you know that every time you enjoy a meal of chicken, duck, or turkey, you are actually enjoying some delicious dinosaur? That’s right - every bird alive today, from ostrich to oriole, pigeon to penguin, are descendants of theropod dinosaurs like T.Rex and Velociraptor. But how did this change occur? What clues do scientists look for? Find out on this virtual behind-the-scenes trip with Museum paleontologists and ornithologists as they explore evolution with fossils, natural history collections, and more. Your questions will guide our exploration and will ensure that you never look at a chicken nugget the same way again!
Scientists in Action: How Our Brains Learn
Grades 4 - 12
Scientists In Action
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. All times are Mountain Time.
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome
We go to school to learn new things, but how exactly does our brain work when we absorb new information? Are there ways to help our brains with the process? Join learning scientist and biologist Dr. Melanie Peffer on a virtual adventure that explores the science of learning. Together we’ll peek inside our heads to see what’s going on when we acquire, process, and remember something new and in the meantime, gain an appreciation of all our minds can do. Dr. Peffer will also explain strategies for studying to help our brains learn better. Register today and get ready to learn something new!
Scientists in Action: Virtual Voyage Through the Universe
Grades 4 - 12
Scientists In Action
Thursday, January 18, 2024
9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Mountain Time.
Created for grades 4-12, but all are welcome.
No spaceship? No problem. Space scientist Dr. Ka Chun Yu will be your students’ guide on a virtual adventure through space, starting with our home planet and voyaging into the solar system and beyond with the assistance of stunning scientific visualizations. Learn about our place in the universe, how we fit in the solar system, and how we are integrally connected to space! This is a fully interactive program where participants direct their questions to Dr. Yu and vote to guide our voyage through the universe.