Blog Post

Soaking Up Surroundings: Attitude Formation & Our Environment

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By Vinchenzo Vassalotti, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

Much like a sponge, our experiences growing up, the people we meet, and the media we consume are all absorbed into our sense of self, values, and behavior. These values and how we express them, formally known as “attitudes”, are developed with and without intention. The intentional attitudes, those that we can outwardly express, are known as “explicit attitudes”. These attitudes are often expressed, via actions or verbal expressions, when one can give them thought and respond in a way that they perceive reflects their values or beliefs. “Implicit attitudes”, however, are buried deep within our unconscious. These attitudes are often expressed without thought and are spontaneous – formed in previous experiences and other uncontrollable influences.

Blog Post

The Magic of the Firefly: Why Do Fireflies Glow?

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By Zyara Morton, C2ST Intern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

It is a warm July night. The stars hang high in the sky and in the distant woods, there’s a soft, flickering glow. The glow blooms and multiplies, until it feels as if the whole area is illuminated by magic. Maybe this scene reminds you of a time in your life– a nostalgic summer night from childhood, or more recently, as you sat along the lake watching that yellow glimmer in the distance. Whatever memory this scene arises in you, one factor is constant: the presence of those flickering lights, of the fireflies.

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Event

Science in the Parks: Brain Garden–The Art of Self-Care

Although the meaning of self-care can vary across different contexts, it is generally recognized as acts or gestures that aim to maintain and promote an individual’s health for themselves or their community. Whether wanting to support our spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical health, there are always ways in which we seek to take care of ourselves and each other; giving and receiving this care, however, is made difficult by the constraints and tensions we face in our daily lives. 

Join us at Palmisano Park for an engaging day of food experiments and art creation! Learn about different methods of preparing and extracting dye from colorful fruits and vegetables!  Experiment with making plant-based dyes and use them to create beautiful paintings while engaging in mindfulness and reflection. Together, we will learn about the science of self-care, explore ways to meaningfully engage in self-care practices, and create beautiful art! The activities we will deliver are open to all ages and the program will include…

  • Dye Extraction Workshop
  • Art Creation Session
  • Mindfulness and Reflection Activity

Restrooms in the Field house will be open and available for participants. Light ‘brain healthy’ snacks will be also be available!

*Science in the Parks is an ongoing effort by C2ST to live up to our philosophy that “Science is for Everyone.” Not only do we want to join your community, but we want to return and provide science programs that are relevant to you in the future.*

Blog Post

Invaders from the Mississippi River: Illinois and Michigan Unite to Protect the Great Lakes

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By Erin Scheg, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

The Great Lakes provide water for more than 40 million people, generate jobs for more than 1.5 million people, and are home to more than 3,500 plant and animal species. In early July 2024, the governors of Illinois and Michigan signed an agreement to cosponsor the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This landmark project aims to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species, especially Asian carp. Invasive species are defined as non-native species to the ecosystem whose presence causes economic, environmental, or human health. Asian carp are native to Eastern Asia and were introduced to North America in the 1970s to assist with pest control in aquaculture facilities. Aquaculture facilities are aquatic farms where fish are grown and harvested for sale. These carp escaped into the wild from the aquatic farms on the Mississippi River and have been heading north, which poses a major threat to the native Great Lakes ecosystems.

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Event

Electric Horizons: The Future of Sustainable Air Travel

Join us for an illuminating panel discussion on the transformative future of air travel, Electric Horizons: The Future of Sustainable Air Travel. As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, alternative fuels emerge as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. This event will bring together leading experts, innovators, and industry pioneers to explore the cutting-edge developments and challenges in sustainable aviation. Join C2ST at Harold Washington Library on August 12th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm and talk with Dominik Karbowski, Manager of the Low-carbon Aviation group Eco-Mobility at Argonne National Laboratory, Joseph P. Schwieterman, Director of the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University, and R. Eric Jones, Associate Dean and Professor of Aviation at Lewis University, Pedro J. Ortiz-Toral, the Program Director at GTI Energy, and Megan M Zahos, Principal Operations Inspector, Greater Chicago Flight Standards District Office.

Event

Every Breath You Take: Human Impacts on Air Quality

How do we measure air quality? What causes poor air quality? Are there particular things humans do that impact air quality the most?

The quality of the air we breathe every day can have large impacts on our health and wellness. Scientists are working to learn more about what exactly causes poor air quality in certain areas as well as working to find solutions to help improve the air quality in the places we live and work. Join C2ST virtually on Aug 28th from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm as we talk with Dr. Daniel Horton, Associate Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University, and Aryiana C Moore, 4th year PhD candidate in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology to find out more. We will hear about their current research as well as get a chance to ask questions.

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