Museum of Science, Boston

Special Program [Return to listing page]
Gordon Current Science & Technology Center

News headlines about climate change often mention the predictions of climate models. Where do these models come from, and what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do current climate trends compare with climate events throughout Earth's geologic history? And, how will climate change affect us?

For Earth Science Week 2009, Museum presenters and visiting researchers answer your questions about climate. During Sunday's kickoff event, attend live presentations led by guest scientists and participate in hands-on activities geared toward exploring climate science. The rest of the week features 2:30 p.m. daily presentations on how humans both influence climate change and are impacted by it.

Schedule:

Sunday, October 11:

> Guest presentations, Gordon Current Science and Technology Center Stage: 11:00 a.m., Climate Modeling Basics and Applications to Crops, Ethan Butler, Harvard University; 12:30 p.m., Climate Change: What Are the Odds? Adam Schlosser, MIT,; 2:30 p.m., Cycling Carbon in a Changing Climate: The Oceans at Work, Amala Mahadevan, Boston University.

> Activity tables, Blue Wing, Level 1, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Alternative Energy, Fluid Behavior in the Ocean and Atmosphere, Climate Roulette Wheels, and Trapping Heat.

Monday, October 12:

> Guest presentation, Gordon Current Science and Technology Center Stage: 2:30 p.m., Are We Loading the Dice? Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events, Karen McKinnon, Harvard University

Also, be sure to tune in to NECN on Wednesday, October 14 at 5:45 p.m. to hear Fiamma Straneo of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution talk about new observations in Greenland.

Photo: The Larsen ice shelf at the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula experienced a dramatic collapse between January 31 and March 7, 2002. This image was taken on February 23, 2002 by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), an instrument on the Terra satellite. Image courtesy of NASA.

Fee: Free with Exhibit Halls admission

Related Links:

Earth Science Week 2009