It has been an exciting April for the Earth institute since we launched EI LIVE for K12 students and educators. We’ve met so many wonderful students, educators, and parents who’ve tuned in for our sessions, and we are looking forward to bringing you more exciting programming in May. Our upcoming May sessions are listed below, and will continue to feature scientific experts across the Earth Institute sharing their sustainability-related work through lectures, interactive activities, and/or demos in 60-minute sessions.
The sessions stream live to YouTube on Mondays and Wednesdays each week from 2:00-3:00pm EDT (with the exception of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25). Below is the schedule for sessions up until May 27, and we will be announcing the rest of the schedule in mid-May, so stay tuned! And if you missed out on any of our April sessions, don’t fret — all of the recordings are available here.
All the sessions are free, but pre-registration is REQUIRED for each event. RSVP links are available below. We will send a YouTube link to all registered participants 30 minutes prior to the start of the programming.
A recommended age group is listed for each event. Where we are able to, we will share additional readings and resources with educators.
All the sessions will be recorded and hosted on a site for easy accessibility.
If you have any questions about these events, please contact Cassie Xu (cassie@ei.columbia.edu).
Put a Ring on It (Grades 3-5)
Monday, May 4, 2020 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm EDT
Presenter: Cari Leland, Lecturer in Earth & Environmental Sciences, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Description: What can we learn about a tree’s life and history by examining tree rings? During this session, students will learn how to analyze tree rings and how dendrochronologists use tree-ring research to improve our understanding of past climate and environment.
RSVP here.
Microscopic Superheroes of the Ocean (Grades 3-6)
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 2:00 – 3:00pm EDT
Presenter: Sheean Haley, Senior Staff Associate, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Description: Did you know that some superheroes are microscopic? In this lecture and activity, Sheean will introduce you to these amazing, and amazingly tiny, organisms called phytoplankton. Students will learn how phytoplankton help our planet, and how different phytoplankton use unique superpowers to survive in the ocean. Students will also participate in an activity where they will come up with a fantastical phytoplankton species, based on what their new species would need to survive in the ocean.
RSVP here.
Get the GIS of It (Grades 3-6)
Monday, May 11, 2020 – 2:00 – 3:00pm EDT
Presenter: Dara Mendeloff, Geographic Information Specialist, Center for International Earth Science Information Network
Description: Learn introductory basics of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), work with ArcGIS Online for interacting with maps and exploring social and environmental processes. GIS specialist Dara will teach students about what GIS can be used for, how to identify patterns on a map, and to understand how maps can be used to solve real world problems and tell stories.
RSVP here.
Get the GIS of It (Grades 10-12)
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Presenter: Dara Mendeloff, Geographic Information Specialist, Center for International Earth Science Information Network
Description: Learn the basics of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), work with ArcGIS Online to interact with maps and explore social and environmental processes. GIS specialist Dara will teach students about applications that GIS can be used for, to identify patterns on a map, and to analyze data and maps for addressing real world problems and telling stories.
RSVP here.
Part 1 of 2: Data Storytelling in Python (Grades 10-12)
Monday, May 18, 2020 | 2:00 to 3:00pm EDT
Presenter: Joshua Russell, PhD Candidate, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University
Description: Have you ever wondered how scientists transform data into a visual story? In this session, Josh will take you on a journey through the Python programming language from the ground up with real examples using data from the earth sciences. During this Tour de Python, you will learn about data visualization, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and even run your very own Python code!
*Previous familiarity with Python or another programming language is helpful but not required.
RSVP here.
Part 2 of 2: A Deep Dive into Earthquake Sonification with Python (Grades 10-12)
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 | 2:00 to 3:00pm EDT
Presenter: Joshua Russell, PhD Candidate, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University
Description: Humans have a keen ability to detect patterns from sounds. In this follow-up session, Josh will introduce you to the world of data sonification — transforming data into sound — and how scientists use it to understand the natural world around us.
*Previous familiarity with Python or another programming language is helpful but not required.
RSVP here.
Memorial Day
Monday, May 25, 2020 | NO EI LIVE SESSION
A Day in the Life of the Hudson River (Grades 3-5)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 | 2:00 to 3:00pm EDT
Presenters: Margie Turrin, Director of Educational Field Programs, and Laurel Zaima, Education Program Assistant, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Description: The Hudson River estuary spans 153 miles from the Troy dam down to the tip of the New York Battery and it is a wonderful educational feature located in our very own “backyard.” We are going to be using real data collected from the “Day in the Life” program to explore the dynamic nature of the salt front and the diverse fish communities that call the Hudson River estuary home.
RSVP here.
