ScienceToGo.org Advances Proactive Ways to Beat Climate Change

10/01/2014

Contacts for media:

UMass Boston – Anna Pinkert, Anna.Pinkert@umb.edu, 617-287-5459
UMass Lowell – Christine Gillette, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu, 978-934-2209
Museum of Science – AJ Gosselin, AGosselin@mos.org, 617-589-0251
Texas State University – Jayme Blaschke, jb71@txstate.edu, 512-245-2180 

* Media Advisory *

Thursday, Oct. 2
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

What:  Boston area businesses, nonprofits and community organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint will be honored at “Wicked Smaht! Celebrating Climate Leaders in Boston,” an event that will kick off ScienceToGo.org’s month-long exhibit of these leaders’ good works.

ScienceToGo.org, which brings science education out of the classroom and into everyday life, is a joint project of educators and researchers from UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, Texas State University and the Museum of Science whose work is supported by a National Science Foundation grant. The initiative teaches the science behind climate change through events, exhibits, social media and posters and car cards on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Red and Orange lines and in stations.

A speaking program that begins at noon will include Brian Swett, Boston’s chief of environment and energy, and David Lustick, an associate professor in UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education who is leading ScienceToGo.org. Museum of Science staff will be on hand to engage the public in conversations about climate change, how to counter its effects and improve the environment for the future. The event is presented by ScienceToGo.org and Greenovate Boston and hosted by the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.

The ScienceToGo.org campaign’s symbol is “Ozzie the Ostrich” and his flock. Instead of burying their heads in the sand about climate change, these birds are engaging the public with the scientific concepts behind the phenomenon. Throughout the city, the exhibit will feature 8-foot tall multimedia, ostrich-shaped educational art installations stationed in front of the businesses and organizations being honored for their environmental stewardship.

The public may interact with Ozzie and learn more via @BostonOstrich on Twitter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sciencetogo and with the “PaparOzzie” mobile app available at www.sciencetogo.org.

Where:  Dewey Square Park, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, intersection of Congress and Summer streets and Atlantic Avenue, Boston