A Shaker of Science is a pay-what-you-wish, interactive virtual happy hour where Academy scientists and staff can share their stories and adventures in a casual setting.

A Shaker of Science: Waxing Weather
Thursday, September 23, 2021, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

From pumping us up for a possible snow day, to saving lives with early extreme weather warnings, the local weather is an integral part of our daily lives. Data is constantly being gathered and crunched to provide forecasts. But it’s not all satellites, radar and supercomputers. When it comes down to how the weather will affect your life, we rely on our local weatherman (or woman) to sort through the noise, double check the data, and deliver the forecast relevant to us.

At this month’s Shaker of Science, we are excited to have one of the best in the business, NBC10 First Alert Meteorologist Steve Sosna! Steve is taking us behind the scenes to show us how the NBC10 First Alert Weather team turns weather data into the weather reports we rely on each and every day. Oh, and did we mention copters? Yeah, we’ll talk about helicopters.

Steve Sosna, NBC10 First Alert Weather Team Meteorologist

Steve Sosna is a meteorologist for NBC10’s First Alert Weather team. You can watch Steve's forecasts weekend evenings on NBC10 and listen to his forecasts on KYW Newsradio. Steve is an active member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and has earned the prestigious AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) seal of approval. Steve is also the recipient of a National Emmy for his award-winning work with StormRanger, NBCUniversal's state-of-the-art, mobile, dual pol X-band Doppler Radar.

A Shaker of Science: Paleontology in the Field
Thursday, October 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Pay What You Wish
Ages 21+
Zoom; registration required

Ever wonder what it is like to excavate fossils in the field and how you can do this yourself one day? Dino-lovers, rock collectors and fossil diggers unite to talk excavating and paleontology with Jason Schein, executive director at Bighorn Basin Paleontological Institute. You’ll get to hear cool stories from the field, learn some do’s and don’ts of paleontology and get an exclusive chance to ask the paleo professionals a few questions.

This workshop is part of Paleopalooza, the Academy’s annual festival of fossils. Find out what else we’re up to during this event here.

Previous Shaker of Science Events:

Shaker of Science: Adventures in Entomology

Did you know the Academy of Natural Sciences has two insect collections? Over 3.5 million specimens are housed and studied in the Entomology Department, but there are also hundreds of LIVE insects cared for and presented by the live animal programs staff. Learn everything you can about both during this virtual happy hour! Meet the experts and hear their stories of collecting, caring for and identifying insects all over the world and right at home at the Academy.