June 05, 2017

The Secret of the Exploding Glass Drops

June 05, 2017/ Bruce Science

In the year 1660, Prince Rupert gave a very interesting gift to King Charles II: Five glass crystals, each with a bulbous head and a long tapering tail. Though they looked like unremarkable glass baubles and were made of no special material, it soon became obvious that their qualities were far from ordinary. Though the head of the drops were incredibly strong, the entire drop would explosively shatter after just one flick of the tail. For 400 years, Prince Rupert's drops were a mystery to scientists. Now, we finally understand the reason for their immense strength and fragility.

May 10, 2017

Ticked Off: How a Single Tick Bite Can Give You Severe Food Allergies

May 10, 2017/ Bruce Science

The 2017 summer forecast is in: Ticks galore. Do you like hiking but hate bug spray? If Lyme disease isn't enough to scare you into taking precautions against tick bites, this newly recognized tick-induced ailment might do the trick.

May 02, 2017

Hadley Cells: A Crucial Cog in Earth’s Climate Machine

May 02, 2017/ Bruce Science

Atmospheric circulation is an important component of Earth’s climate. It transports heat and water across the globe, thereby ensuring that climate remains relatively constant throughout the years. Even small disruptions to this system could cause large, and possibly dangerous consequences. Why are rainforestes and deserts distributed in ordered arrays around the world? Hadley cells.

April 27, 2017

Science on the Silver Screen Returns to the Bruce!

April 27, 2017/ Bruce Science

Have you ever wanted to know how close we are to being overrun by intelligent machines? Or maybe you've woken up in the dead of night, wondering if someone could weaponize your dreams against you to plant ideas into your subconscious?

If so, wonder no more. Come and join us this summer for movies, snacks, and maybe a beer or two!

April 17, 2017

The Tragedy of the Most Hated Bird in America

April 17, 2017/ Bruce Science

Pigeons are just as loathed as they are common. They are called dirty, spreaders of disease, and often are dubbed “rats with wings.” Despite inspiring this intensity of emotion, pigeons remain poorly understood. Even if they are a common and familiar animal, the history of pigeons may surprise you.

April 03, 2017

Fool Proof 2: Another Dose of Foolish Science

April 03, 2017/ Bruce Science

Another year has passed, and another April Fools’ Day has come. Here in the Bruce Museum Science Department, we’d much rather educate than mislead, and this particular holiday gives us a chance to delve into some of the more foolish sides of science. Last year, I chose some of the top scientific conspiracy theories to explore in honor of the occasion. This year I’m doing the same, talking about some of the most interesting, amusing, and intriguing scientific conspiracy theories, and why we shouldn’t take them too seriously.

March 20, 2017

Inheriting the Fears of Our Ancestors

March 20, 2017/ Bruce Science

Are you more afraid of snakes or cars? Most people would say that snakes make them more uncomfortable, despite cars killing over 30,000 Americans per year and snakes killing an average of 5. Why are we so afraid of snakes, spiders, and bats, but not SUVs? The answer lies in our evolutionary history.

March 09, 2017

HOW-waii? Geology’s Influence in Shaping America’s Youngest State

March 09, 2017/ Bruce Science

In the midst of a New England winter you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that hasn’t fantasized about exchanging the frigid temperatures of March for the tropical weather of Hawaii. The Aloha State is known for being a vacation hot spot around this time of the year, but did you know that it’s also a famous geologic “hot spot” as well?