Museum Honors 2010 Young Naturalist Awards Winners

Friday, June 04 10:34 am

Thirteen students, ages 13 to 18, will be treated to exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the American Museum of Natural History’s paleontology and invertebrate collections today — part of the prize for winners of the 13th Annual Young Naturalist Awards, a nationwide science-based research contest presented by the American Museum of Natural History and supported by Alcoa Foundation.

“The Young Naturalist Awards program is a superb example of students engaging creatively and enthusiastically with the scientific process,” said Ellen V. Futter, President of the AmericanMuseum of Natural History. “We are proud to help foster a love of science and nature in all the participants and especially the terrific winners, whom we congratulate for their exceptional and inspiring work.”

These aspiring scientists, all students in grades 7 through 12, carried out scientific investigations of the natural world and presented their research, methods, observations, and analyses. A panel of judges from the Museum’s scientific, educational, and editorial staff evaluated the entries on originality, ability to gather data, analysis and interpretation, and creativity and clarity of presentation. This year’s projects included a study of the breakdown of wastewater pharmaceuticals and an investigation of snapping turtles.

The winners, who hail from as near as the Bronx and as far as Hilo, Hawaii, traveled to the Museum today to receive their prize, which includes cash awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, meetings with Museum scientists, behind-the-scenes tours, and recognition at an awards ceremony. The winning entries will also be published on the Museum’s website.

The Young Naturalist Awards is a program of the National Center for Science Literacy, Education, and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Museum’s Department of Education.

OLogy Celebrates 10 Years

Friday, May 07 11:12 am

In 2000, the American Museum of Natural History launched OLogy, an innovative website for kids based on the premise that “everyone wants to know something.” Designed as a place for children to ask questions, get answers, and meet real “OLogists,” the award-winning site features hands-on activities, articles, games, and OLogy “cards” that kids can collect and use in online projects. OLogy invites children to explore the Museum’s rich and diverse content, including its scientific research and collections.

In the video below, the team behind OLogy looks back over the last 10 years.

OLogy is a project of the National Center for Science Literacy, Education and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Museum’s Department of Education.

Science Bulletins Bring the Research Home

Wednesday, February 03 2:46 pm

For years, visitors to the American Museum of Natural History have enjoyed award-winning Science Bulletin video productions—visually stunning updates on the latest in astrophysics, Earth sciences, biodiversity, and human biology—displayed on high-definition plasma screens in four permanent halls in the Museum.  All four Bulletins (Astro, Earth, Bio, and Human) use a blend of documentary videos, three-dimensional animation, and data visualization to bring scientific research to life for adults and children alike.

Science Bulletins are also distributed to nearly 40 museums and science centers around the world, bringing the latest science to an audience of more than 10 million people. Additionally, Science Bulletins are available online.

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Many of these features are six- to eight-minute documentaries that follow scientists to field sites and laboratories around the world to explore topics ranging from the search for ultra-high energy cosmic rays to the rapid evolution of fish species along the Lower Congo River, to the latest research on human papillomaviruses (HPV) and the various cancers they can trigger in humans. Read more »