Boston Blog

Vacation science happenings: Bugs and how we kill them

Lots of summer fun in the woods events for kids this week: Start with Mass Audubon, which has sites across the state. If you’re traveling, check out our recommendations for New England’s Science museums.  For more, check out our full calendar.

 Monday

The Harvard museusm offer some evening talks this week, starting Monday with “Arachnophilia: Adaptation, Survival and Reproduction in the

Spider Kingdom”With nearly 40,000 species described worldwide, spiders are one of the most dominant and adaptable life forms on earth. But spiders face an array of new challenges to their survival, including agricultural pesticides, the loss of forest cover,  and urbanization. In this illustrated talk, biologist Marashetty Seenappa of Bangalore University will discuss the evolution and biodiversity of arachnids, with a special focus on the spiders of India.”

 Tuesday

Head across the river to Learn from local artist Anne Schmalz how to put to paper what you see in nature. We’ll use the flora and fauna surrounding the river as our subject matter. Bring a folding chair, materials provided. Registration required.  Register at info@bostonnatural.org or 617-542-7696.

Thursday

If you missed Monday’s lecture at Harvard, here’s another chance: Evolution in a Toxic World: How Life Responds to  Chemical Threats Lecture and booksigning with Emily Monosson.“Toxic chemicals: They have shaped our bodies, our world, and all life around us. Today, species are rapidly evolving in response to toxins like PCBs, dioxins and pesticides. Emily Monosson, adjunct professor at UMass Amherst and author of the new book,Evolution in a Toxic World (Island Press), will discuss how life on Earth survives in the face of increased amounts of both age-old and new synthetic chemicals in our environment. Free and open to the public.“

 

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