Science Circle

STEM Learning with Open Educational Resources
2025-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Auditorium
STEM Learning with Open Educational Resources
Open Educational Resources (OER) are becoming increasingly important in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education by enhancing access, equity, and innovation. By removing the cost barriers associated with traditional textbooks and materials, OER promote inclusive learning environments and greater educational opportunity for all students. In fast-paced STEM fields, the adaptability of OER allows instructors to keep course content current, relevant, and aligned with specific learning goals. These resources also support active learning through interactive tools, problem sets, and virtual labs. Finally, open educational resources encourage collaboration among educators, enabling the sharing and improvement of instructional materials across institutions and disciplines. With several examples, this presentation explores the role of OER in modern STEM education and highlights how their use can support instructional flexibility and facilitate the continuous improvement of teaching practices in STEM.
by Myron W. Jones, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Classical Concert
2025-05-25 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-06-01 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-06-08 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-06-15 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-06-22 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-06-29 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

The Moon Base
2025-05-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base

Mathematics Club
2025-05-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Maths Club

Empowering Home Education: How Urban Parents Use AI and VR to Transform Learning
2025-05-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Empowering Home Education: How Urban Parents Use AI and VR to Transform Learning
As rapid technological shifts redefine what learning looks like, the future of education cannot be confined to traditional classrooms. This presentation shares findings from a qualitative study on how urban homeschooling parents in Texas are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) into their children’s daily learning. Grounded in Resource Mobilization and Learning Environment theories, Dr. Boleigha explores how parents leverage tools like ChatGPT, Meta Quest, Canva, and Scratch Jr. to create rich, adaptive, and immersive home learning environments. These parent-led innovations not only reveal evolving educational practices but also raise critical questions about equity, access, and the future design of learning systems in a tech-driven world.
Dr. Ebi Boleigha

Moon base
2025-06-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-30 10:00 - 11:00

Field Trip 1: The Moon Base Project
2025-06-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base
The Moon Base Project: Learning More with Version 4
by Phil Youngblood, William Wall.
Come explore what living and working on a permanent base on the Moon might feel like. Join us on this unusual and imaginative field trip to learn about the challenges of living and working on the Moon and perhaps to better appreciate our home on Earth.
Naming Contest – Best entry receives L$5000!
We need a name! What would you name a futuristic virtual Moon Base imagined to be a place where residents would live and work sustainably on the Moon while upholding what The Science Circle stands for ( https://www.sciencecircle.org/mission-statement/ )?
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The Science Circle Moon Base Project was envisioned in the fall of 2022 as an exciting way to think about and visualize the physical and social sciences by learning about how to live and work on the Moon. After recruiting a team representing a diversity of expertise and perspectives, we met every Monday to share and discuss what we had learned that week. Over the course of the next year, we applied what we had learned to building three virtual versions of the base.
By 2024, we realized that what we had been learning may be of real interest to scientists, educators, and science enthusiasts in Second Life and beyond. We participated in two conferences (VWMOOC24 in August 2024 and the 18th VWBPE in May 2025), where we were well received and attracted the interest of a number of others. Now we are ready to apply what we learned from those conferences to a fourth version of the base and reach out to entities such as NASA, the ESA, educational institutions and museums.
In 2025, Robert Hendrix, MD (SL: Tagline) designed a Medical Bay for the SC Moon Base, which would be prepared to handle both regular medical care as well as the unique issues associated with living in low gravity and a pressurized environment on a hostile world. A draft build of the Medical Bay has been completed and the rest of the base envisioned and construction begun. Let’s explore these areas together and learn what decisions we have made about health and wellness here. Feedback and suggestions welcomed!

Field trip 2: Titanoboa
2025-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Titanoboa exhibition
An exciting journey back in time to explore the incredible world of Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the largest snake to ever slither across the Earth! Today, we’re diving into the hot, swampy rainforests of what is now Colombia, South America, approximately 58–60 million years ago, just after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Our virtual field trip, hosted by The Science Circle, features a meticulously crafted exhibit that brings this prehistoric giant to life, based on the latest scientific research.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Linda Kelley, known as Delia Lake in Second Life, as our guide. Dr. Kelley has expertly recreated the steamy, tropical ecology that Titanoboa called home, immersing us in the environment where this massive predator thrived. Titanoboa, a relative of modern boas, grew up to 13 meters (nearly 43 feet) long and weighed over 1.25 tons. Its existence reveals fascinating insights about ancient climates, requiring a mean annual temperature around 4°C warmer than today’s tropics to sustain its colossal size. This discovery challenges assumptions about tropical climate stability and underscores the profound impact of environmental conditions on the kinds of animals that dominate ecosystems.

Prepare to encounter a scientifically accurate 3D animation of Titanoboa, created by Dr. Gregory Bollella, as it navigates its swampy habitat, capturing prey like crocodiles in a world teeming with exotic plants and animals. This exhibit not only showcases the awe-inspiring scale of this monster snake but also invites us to reflect on how past climates shaped life on Earth—and what they might tell us about our planet’s future. Let’s step into this ancient rainforest and discover the secrets of Titanoboa with Dr. Linda Kelley.

Field trip 3: New Locations
2025-06-21 10:00 - 11:00
An extraordinary virtual field trip hosted by The Science Circle, where we’ll journey through a series of captivating locations and exhibits that blend science, culture, and innovation!

Today, we’ll visit the newly established New Mathematics Club, the picturesque Lijiang River with its diverse exhibits, and explore topics ranging from evolutionary biology to cutting-edge engineering and global health challenges. This immersive experience in Second Life promises to spark curiosity and deepen our understanding of the world through interactive and thought-provoking displays.

Our adventure begins with Robert A. Hendrix, MD, at the New Mathematics Club, a dynamic hub for exploring the beauty and power of numbers, as highlighted on The Science Circle’s website. Tagline’s giving a 30 minute presentation about AI in the Maths Dojo: The PERCEPTRON, the SIMPLEST NEURAL NETWORK and HOW TO TRAIN IT using a database and reiterative correction of error. IT’S ALL A MATTER of LINEAR ALGEBRA and computational mathematics & algorithms! So do come & hear!

The Maths & Psychology exhibit, created by Deepthinker—author of The Science Circle’s monthly Hypothesis Blog—features interactive displays such as Let’s Make a Deal, The Black Swan, The Science of Farming, Neutrinos and Why the Earth is No Longer Flat, and How I Learned Math, with insights from five Science Circle scientists. These exhibits reveal how mathematics shapes our understanding of human behavior and the world around us.

Next, the Population Genetics Simulator (PGS), crafted by Stephen Gasior, brings to life the classic study of natural selection in the Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), studied by Bernard Kettlewell, demonstrating how environmental changes drive evolutionary shifts in color and survival within the unique Second Life platform.

The Turbofan exhibit, created by Karthik Prathaban, dives Perspective: Modern commercial aircraft engines are engineering marvels, and turbofans are no exception. These powerful and fuel-efficient systems can propel a plane like the A350, with a 280,000 kg maximum take-off weight, for over 20 hours non-stop. Their brilliance lies in a clever sequence of energy conversions, with the bypass ratio enhancing efficiency by adding a fan that minimally alters fuel flow in the core while significantly boosting thrust.

Finally, the Effects of COVID Around the World exhibit, created by Phil Youngblood, offers a poignant exploration of the pandemic’s global impact, connecting science, society, and resilience.

Guided by these expert creators and brought to life in Second Life, this field trip combines rigorous science with engaging storytelling. Join us as we navigate these diverse exhibits, each offering a unique perspective on our world’s past, present, and future.

Let’s dive into this journey of discovery at the New Mathematics Club and the Lijiang River!

Science Fair
2025-06-28 10:00 - 11:00
Welcome, everyone, to The Science Circle’s spectacular Science Fair, the grand closing event of our January–June 2025 season!

Held in the immersive world of Second Life, this vibrant celebration showcases the innovative spirit of our scientific community. Today, we’re thrilled to feature new exhibits and features presented by our esteemed SC scientists: Lynne Berrett, Christine Gibson, Karthik Prathaban, Stephen Gasior, Mike Shaw, and Sandrajean Peruginilibby.

Plus, we’ll announce the winner of our Moon Base Name Contest, with a fantastic 5,000L$ prize for the most creative entry!

While this marks the end of our current season, it’s not goodbye! Our activities continue with exciting events before the new season kicks off in September. Join Stephen Gasior for a captivating Nobel Prizes documentary series every Saturday, at 6 AM PDT, exploring the stories behind groundbreaking scientific achievements.

Additionally, Stephen Gasior, alongside Lynne Berrett from Whole Brain Health and Professor Valerie Hill, will host a thought-provoking series, “Engagement Clinic,” designed to sharpen our critical thinking skills.

The Moon Base Project will also continue to thrive, with weekly sessions every Monday at 10 AM PDT, building the future of lunar exploration.

Get ready for a day of discovery, inspiration, and celebration as we wrap up this season and look forward to what’s next. Let’s dive into the Science Fair and explore the wonders of science together!

Biology 3.0 is coming, discussion series
2025-07-05 06:00 - 07:00, 2025-07-12 06:00 - 07:00, 2025-07-19 06:00 - 07:00, 2025-07-26 06:00 - 07:00 | Auditorium
The study and “engineering” of biology began with our ability to recognized the characteristics of plants and animals and manipulate them as a whole, i.e. animal and plant breeding, yeast culturing for food production. We could also identify helpful drugs that worked to cure disease without exactly knowing why or their targets.

Biology 2.0 came along when we learned how to manipulate DNA and introduce it into new cells. We also developed the gene concept and could sequence them one at a time. We could also knock out genes though very laboriously. Computers began to be repositories of our blueprints and we could computers could helps us understand the structure of proteins.

Biology 3.0 is the phase of our understanding and manipulation in which we have large genomic datasets, accurate protein structure prediction, AI-guided design or summation, precise targeting of genes for specific changes, and enhanced delivery systems. This discussion series will view and discuss major recent Nobel Prize lectures on the foundations of Biology 3.0. And a series of TED talks on personalized medicine.

Your guide on this journey is scientist and educator Stephen Gasior who has professionally been involved in using these technologies (but not the medicine part).

Moon base
2025-07-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base

Biology 3.0 is coming, discussion series
2025-08-16 06:00 - 07:00 | Auditorium
The study and “engineering” of biology began with our ability to recognized the characteristics of plants and animals and manipulate them as a whole, i.e. animal and plant breeding, yeast culturing for food production. We could also identify helpful drugs that worked to cure disease without exactly knowing why or their targets.

Biology 2.0 came along when we learned how to manipulate DNA and introduce it into new cells. We also developed the gene concept and could sequence them one at a time. We could also knock out genes though very laboriously. Computers began to be repositories of our blueprints and we could computers could helps us understand the structure of proteins.

Biology 3.0 is the phase of our understanding and manipulation in which we have large genomic datasets, accurate protein structure prediction, AI-guided design or summation, precise targeting of genes for specific changes, and enhanced delivery systems. This discussion series will view and discuss major recent Nobel Prize lectures on the foundations of Biology 3.0. And a series of TED talks on personalized medicine.

Your guide on this journey is scientist and educator Stephen Gasior who has professionally been involved in using these technologies (but not the medicine part).

This poll is no longer accepting votes Stephen Gasior's series on Nobel Prize-winning scientists and their research is moving to Sundays. Would you like the series to continue, and at which time?Yes, at 6 AM PDTYes, at 9 AM PDTNo, thank youVote
