Science Matters

Learn about Earth’s Moon and all about NASA’s new Artemis mission for us to go back to the Moon to stay. Build your own lunar lander with items you can find around the house.

2020 was certainly an unusual year here on Earth. The planet was basically put on pause as the pandemic impacted more and more communities throughout the year. This obviously had a big impact on the news everywhere.

Science Matters features three episodes created in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Virginia Zoo and the Science Museum of Virginia. Journey through "Your Moving Mind", learn all about "Zoo-vival" at the Virginia Zoo and learn how to become a "Backyard Bay Saver." Developed for students in grades 4-6 and correlated to Virginia Standards of Learning.

The holidays can already be a tense time, but this year we’ve also got the extra-special stress of a pandemic to factor in. So, let’s take a moment to chat about something that many folks may experience this week, the holiday headache.

Humanity has shared this planet with millions of other life forms for over a quarter of a million years now. The initial sightings were likely common and not documented, after all hunting to feed your family is it’s own challenge, right?

COVID-19 vaccine is now within reach. It is important that we learn from other pandemics such as the Polio pandemic in the 1950's to ensure that the vaccine gets to everyone and every community equitably.

It seems like everywhere you look right now, it’s all about the vaccine. As humanity races towards a vaccine for the coronavirus it’s upholding a tradition shared by many members of our extended family. Wait, does that mean other animals have also been known to explore medical intervention?

How’d you sleep last night? We still don’t know why we sleep, but we do know that sleep is essential, allowing your body and mind to recharge and function better.

Thanksgiving in 2020 will be different, just like the rest of the year basically. While we may gather in very small groups for the holiday let's take a moment to be thankful for the many brave and smart men and women that have pushed science advances forward with only small gatherings.

Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia disproportionately impact communities of color, specifically the African-American community. African Americans are twice as likely to develop dementia, when compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. While the full details of this stark disparity are unknown, there are key contributing factors for consideration.