Science and Discovery

Science on the Radio

Question Your World: What Causes a Mid-life Crisis?

So, what causes the mid-life crisis? For a long time it was believed that stress from responsibility played a heavy hand in the ushering in of the ‘mid-life crisis.’ The idea of mortgages, careers, bills, and various other social circumstances sure can be a heavy load for an individual to juggle. However, recent studies indicate that this is perhaps not based around responsibilities as much as it is on our old friend, evolution. Learn more in this week’s Question Your World Radio report by the Science Museum of Virginia.

STEaM Rising

“Mad Skills” at the Controls: Stafford Teen Leads Team to State Robotics Championship

When Nick Butler takes the controls of his Stafford County high school team’s competition robot, he’s bringing literally a lifetime of experience to the task. At the age of 16 months, Nick was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2, a hereditary disease that causes weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles in the arms and legs of infants and children. Now 16, the high school junior drives a sophisticated robotic wheelchair to pursue an active life, and is aiming at a career in mechanical and electrical engineering.

Science on TV

Science Wednesdays: Battle For The Elephants

The elephant, Earth’s most charismatic and majestic land animal, today faces market forces driving the value of its tusks to levels once reserved for gold. In this groundbreaking National Geographic special, follow journalists Bryan Christy and Aidan Hartley as they go undercover and inside the criminal network behind ivory's supply and demand.

Sites and Wonders

Bald Eagles on the James: A Success Story

The James River runs through it... through the City of Richmond. And just minutes downriver is an incredible opportunity to see resident bald eagles in their natural habitat. Did you know that we have an incredible conservation success story to tell? Thirty years ago there were no bald eagles on the James River. Today, over 180 pair of resident bald eagles call the James River home. And the James River is now considered to have the best bald eagle comeback in the entire North American continent!

Science Matters Special Report

Science Pub RVA: What Has Marine Biodiversity Done for You Lately?

Why are bugs and slugs important? Of the many changes occurring in the world, one of the most striking is the decline of wildlife on land and sea. Why should we care? Join other curious minds at this month’s Science Pub RVA on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. at The Camel. Dr. J. Emmett Duffy, Director of the Marine Biodiversity Lab at the College of William and Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science will review some of the latest scientific evidence that biodiversity is not just a pretty face.

Science on the Radio

Question Your World: What's the Future of Fuel?

What’s the future of fuel? There are many ideas that have been presented ranging from solar to wind to hydropower. The growing energy needs of our planet will require some creative thinking and likely some ideas that don’t reside in the standard energy toolbox that we are accustomed to today. With that said, a sweet new idea has been brought to the table that involves using sugar to help fuel the world of tomorrow. Learn more in this week’s Question Your World Radio report by the Science Museum of Virginia.

Science on TV

Science Wednesday: The Intelligent and Adaptable Crow

Crows live everywhere in the world except Antarctica and are a part of myths and legends in many cultures. Their reputation in the stories varies from comical to frightening, godlike or wise, bringers of light and bringers of death, though a “murder” of crows refers to a flock of crows, and not to anything murderous, at all. They may be all these things, but what we are learning is that they are especially smart.

Science on the Radio

Question Your World: Why Do We Fall In Love?

Romeo and Juliette and our parents at one point had a surge of emotions that made them want to be with one another. Since love is in the air as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let's dig into the science of these emotions and ask the big question: WHY do we fall in love? Learn more in this week’s Question Your World Radio report by the Science Museum of Virginia.

Science on TV

Science Wednesdays: Earth From Space

Earth From Space is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. Produced in extensive consultation with NASA scientists, NOVA takes data from earth-observing satellites and transforms it into dazzling visual sequences, each one exposing the intricate and surprising web of forces that sustains life on earth.

Sites and Wonders

Smashing Bridges and Dropping Eggs: Celebrate Engineering

Want to be part of the Engineering Excitement this weekend? Sunday, February 10th from noon to 5:00 p.m., hundreds of middle and high school students will converge on the Science Museum of Virginia to compete in the Egg Drop and Bridge Building Competitions. This annual event is sponsored by the Richmond Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Richmond Joint Engineer's Council. You’ll get to see creative designs and problem solving from across Virginia. Which egg or bridge will survive this year?