On our first episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley discuss the history of the science center and how we got to now. We reflect on the science center’s time at the Landing, the move to our new location, and everything that has happened since then. Listen to the full episode to learn everything there is to know about our science center! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

How We Got to Now

During this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley talk about our “pies in the sky”. This term is in reference to our hopes, dreams, and attainable aspirations for the science center. We discuss our soft opening of a new program, a fundraising initiative we’re relaunching, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Pies in the Sky

Did you know that we are home to over 35 exotic animals, all of whom are rescues or adopted? Our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley share all the different animal ambassadors we have at the center and the scientists that we have named them after. They also share some hilarious animal stories, how you can help support our animal ambassadors, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn more about our animal ambassadors, visit ecscience.org/critters
To sponsor an animal ambassador, visit ecscience.org/animal-sponsorship
To send a virtual message from an animal ambassador, visit ecscience.org/virtual-message

Our Animal Ambassadors

Happy Black History Month! Our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley introduce you to some Black scientists and inventors, including the ones that we have named a few of our animal ambassadors after. They also discuss some of the inventions that we wouldn’t have today if it weren’t for Black inventors, how you can learn more about Black scientists, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To read the CNN article on Clarice Phelps, visit http://bit.ly/3lCrwau.
To see the Periodic Table of Black Inventors created by Cheryl Zurbrick, visit http://bit.ly/3YExWV1.
To see our latets blog celebrating Black scientists, visit https://bit.ly/3HSUCuB.
To see NASA’s Black History Month series, visit https://www.nasa.gov/image-gallery/black-history-month.

Celebrating Black History Month

Happy Women’s History Month! Our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley introduce you to some female scientists that changed the world as we know it, or are currently making a scientific impact today. They also discuss what women’s history month means to the science center, why it is important for all to learn about impactful females in history, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To read our blogs published each Wednesday of the month highlighting a female scientist, visit https://www.ecscience.org/blog.
To learn about our Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) program, which is a free program hosted at the Fort Walton Beach Library for girls ages 8-15 visit https://www.ecscience.org/gemworkshops.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley dive into the history of Earth Day, which was first celebrated in 1970, and why this day is important to us and our planet. They also discuss the many R’s that we can use to be more sustainable, ways you can celebrate Earth Day, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Join us at the Earth Day Beach Cleanup on April 29, 2023: https://fb.me/e/4isBqig5x

Celebrate Our Earth

Our co-hosts Jacie and Harley are joined by special guest Cameron Howard, Founder and President of Sow America, a non-profit organization with the mission to regenerate land and communities through the education of agriculture, entrepreneurship, and self improvement. They discuss three different ways that you can compost at your own home, some of the common misconceptions of composting, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Sow America Website: https://sowamerica.com/
Sow America Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SowAmerica
Sow America Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sowamerica/

Composting & Regenerative Agriculture

Our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley share the spectacular lineup of summer programs we have planned for June 1st through September 1st, 2023. They discuss the ideas they brought back from the ASTC and AAM conferences they attended, what new exhibits and experiences we have added to our center recently, and so much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn more about Museums For All, visit https://museums4all.org/
To learn more about ASTC Passport Program, visit www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/

Experience the Magic of Museums

Our host Jacie takes you behind the scenes to share our process of curating exhibits at the science center! She discusses exhibits that our staff has taken the time to create from scratch, the exhibits that we’ve acquired and made our own, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Behind the Scenes: Exhibit Curation

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley discuss what invasive species are and why there are so many in the state of Florida. They talk about a few animal and plant species that are invasive to Florida, how they relocated to Florida in the first place, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn more about the different types of invasive species of plants in Florida and the work that is being done to manage and reduce their presence, visit fdacs.gov.

To report an invasive species or learn more about reporting procedures, visit IveGot1.org.

Invasive Species of Florida

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley celebrate National Coding Week by sharing a brief history of coding! They start at the beginning of computer programming with Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, and end with some recent trends in computer program language evolution. Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn more about Codecademy and their free online courses on coding, visit www.codecademy.com

To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, visit soto.house.gov/appchallenge

A Brief History of Coding

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie talks about Crush a Can Day, held every September 27 to highlight the importance of recycling, specifically aluminum cans. She provides a brief history of how aluminum cans came into existence, how we are recycling aluminum cans, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn how you can recycle aluminum cans in Florida, visit https://floridarecycles.org/aluminum/

Crushing Cans for the Environment

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Jacie and Calli discuss two upcoming celebrations related to our beautiful night sky and solar system. They share the importance of the Planetarium in honor of its 100th anniversary and how you can celebrate International Observe the Moon Night! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

To learn more about the Centennial of the Planetarium, visit https://planetarium100.org/
To learn more about International Observe the Moon Night and any of the NASA resources mentioned in our podcast, visit https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/
To learn more about our Planetarium Programs, visit https://www.ecscience.org/planetarium

100 Years of Starry Nights

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane and Jacie celebrate two STEAM holidays – Fibonacci Day (November 23) and Black Hole Friday (November 24). They share the history of Fibonacci’s sequence and how you can see his golden spiral in everyday items, the different types of black holes and discoveries we have made about them, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Informational Links-
Fibonacci Sequence: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html
What Are Black Holes: https://www.nasa.gov/universe/what-are-black-holes/
Black Hole Gallery: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/black-holes/
Black Hole Rescue Game: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/black-hole-rescue/en/

Exploring Numbers and Cosmos

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley share some of the upcoming events and goals our team has for next year. This includes big projects like our Planetarium Building made possible through an Impact100 grant, our 2nd Annual My Chemical Cocktail, and much more! Have questions about this episode? Email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Links Mentioned in Episode:
Contact Harley to be part of our Fort Walton Beach Chamber Business After Hours Non-Profit Showcase on January 18, 2024 - harley@ecscience.org
Sip & Science: Wizarding World event on January 20, 2024 - https://bit.ly/sip-science-wizarding-world
Contact Jacie for sponsorship and competitor opportunities for My Chemical Cocktail on April 13th, 2024 - jacie@ecscience.org
Homeschool Science Fair on April 23, 2024 - https://www.ecscience.org/science-fair

Ready, Set, Goal: Our Plans for 2024

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie hopes to inspire you to pick a New Year’s resolution that helps you practice sustainable living habits. From composting to volunteering with local environmental agencies like the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, she covers a variety of sustainable resolutions that may interest you. Have questions about this episode? Email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org.

Links Mentioned in Episode:
Okaloosa County Libraries: https://readokaloosa.org/
Farmers’ Markets
Downtown Fort Walton Beach: https://www.facebook.com/downtownfwbfarmersmarket/
Okaloosa: https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaFarmersMarkets/
Destin Commons: https://destincommons.com/market/
30A, Niceville, and Grand Boulevard: https://www.facebook.com/grandboulevardfarmersmarket/
Toilet Paper Alternative: https://us.whogivesacrap.org/
Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance: https://basinalliance.org/

Sustainable New Year's Resolutions

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie highlights the stories of unsung heroes – individuals whose groundbreaking work has shaped our understanding of the world, yet their names remain unknown. By highlighting their stories, we hope to inspire future generations and ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated in the history of science and innovation.

Have questions or comments about this episode? Email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org

Interested in learning more about female scientists in honor of Women’s History Month? Check out the blogs we release each Friday in March that feature a female scientist at https://www.ecscience.org/blog

Unsung Heroes and Underrepresented Scientists

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley venture into the depths of coral reef conservation, discussing reef restoration programs aimed at preserving these invaluable ecosystems. We explore the significance of coral reefs worldwide as well as spotlight the artificial reefs in our area and their contributions to local marine life and economies!

Have questions or comments about this episode? Email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org

Links to Learn More:
Coral Reef Restoration Foundation: https://www.coralrestoration.org/
Great Barrier Reef Foundation: https://www.barrierreef.org/
Destin-Fort Walton Beach artificial reefs: https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/artificial-reefs/

Deep Dive into Coral Reefs

On this week’s episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our co-hosts Diane, Jacie, and Harley explore common misconceptions about museum funding. They delve into how some museums receive financial support through taxpayer dollars as city-owned institutions, while others are independent and must secure their own funding. The discussion also highlights various funding sources for their own museum and emphasizes the importance of your support, especially in light of a recent decision that impacted funding for over 600 organizations in Florida.

Misconceptions of Museum Funding

On this week's episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie explores Florida DEP's Great Outdoors Initiative, which aims to upgrade state parks with new amenities like hotels and golf courses. While these additions could enhance visitor experiences, Jacie discusses the potential risks to conservation and the natural balance of these beloved spaces. Tune in to learn about the challenges of balancing development with preservation and alternative approaches that could benefit both local communities and Florida’s state parks!

Links to Learn More:
DEP Announcement: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3afd277
Audubon Florida Blog: https://fl.audubon.org/news/state-parks-under-threat

Preserving Our Florida State Parks

On this week's episode of Cultivate Curiosity, host Jacie unpacks "The Cheetos Bag Incident" at Carlsbad Caverns. Discover how a single piece of trash disrupted a delicate cave ecosystem, triggering microbial growth and impacting the biome. Learn the science behind cave conservation and how small actions can have big environmental consequences!

The Cheetos Bag Incident: Microbes, Biomes, and Ecosystem Balance

In this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie discusses the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a century-old tradition that brings bird enthusiasts together to contribute valuable data for bird conservation. Learn how you can get involved, what species to look for in Northwest Florida, and why this citizen science initiative plays a crucial role in protecting our feathered friends.

Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count at https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count

Feathers and Facts: The Audubon Christmas Bird Count

In this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie celebrates the incredible "firsts" in science that have shaped our world. From Valentina Tereshkova’s historic spaceflight to Rosalind Franklin’s contributions to DNA, these trailblazing moments remind us that curiosity, determination, and courage can change the course of history.

The Power of Firsts: How Trailblazers Inspire Us to Begin

On this week's episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie explores the fascinating science behind books. From the intricate processes of paper-making and printing to the neuroscience of reading, we uncover what makes books such a powerful medium for learning and imagination.

The Science of Books: From Creation to Curiosity

On this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie takes us on a journey through a few spectacular upcoming astronomical events. From February’s dazzling planetary alignments and bright Venusian glow to March and April’s upcoming eclipses and meteor showers, we explore the science behind these celestial events and how to best view them. Whether you're an avid stargazer or just looking up with curiosity, this episode will inspire you to keep your eyes on the sky!

The Universe in Motion: Upcoming Astronomical Events

On this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie takes a deep dive into the fascinating science of taste. From the five basic tastes (and the possible discovery of more) to how our nose, brain, and even memories influence flavor, we explore what really happens when we eat. Learn how temperature, texture, and even sound shape our perception of food and why some flavors feel irresistible.

A Matter of Taste: The Science Behind Flavor Perception

In this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie highlights the incredible achievements of women in science—past and present. From Ada Lovelace’s early computer algorithms to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s groundbreaking vaccine research, Jacie shares the stories of innovators who’ve shaped our understanding of the world. Celebrate Women’s History Month with us and get inspired by the scientists changing the world one breakthrough at a time!

Read more in our Women’s History Month blog at https://www.ecscience.org/post/celebrating-women-in-science-pioneers-of-the-past-innovators-of-today

Trailblazers & Changemakers: Celebrating Women in Science

On this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, Jacie takes on some of the most common science myths and puts them to the test. Do we really only use 10% of our brains? Is the Great Wall of China visible from space? From everyday misconceptions to long-standing legends, we’ll break down the truth behind these myths with real science. Tune in for a fun and fascinating journey through fact and fiction—because science is always worth questioning!

Science Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Fiction

In this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie shares how anyone can get involved in Citizen Science Month by participating in hands-on projects that make real scientific impact, from snapping nature photos with iNaturalist to measuring light pollution with Globe at Night, exploring kits at your local library, and more—all with no scientific background required.

Explore more at: https://scistarter.org/citizensciencemonth

Science for All: How You Can Be a Citizen Scientist

On this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Jacie explores the creative side of environmental advocacy. From upcycled fashion to nature-inspired photography, discover how art and design can raise awareness and spark action for our planet. Jacie also highlights the Science Center’s first-ever Reduce, Reuse, Refashion Show and the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance’s Amateur Photo Contest—two ways you can tap into your creativity.

Reduce, Reuse, Refashion Show: https://www.ecscience.org/reduce-reuse-refashion
2025 Amateur Photo Contest: https://basinalliance.org/cba-2025-amateur-photo-contest/
“Celebrate Our Earth” episode: https://soundcloud.com/ecsciencecenter/celebrate-our-earth

The Creative Side of Environmental Advocacy

On this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Diane is joined by Dr. Meenakshi Chabba, Ecosystem and Resilience Scientist with The Everglades Foundation, for a fascinating conversation about Florida’s mangrove forests. Together, they explore the science behind ecosystem resilience, the economic value of mangroves, and how sustainable practices and public policy can help safeguard Florida’s future. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply curious about the natural world, this episode offers valuable insight into one of our state’s most vital resources!

Learn more about The Everglades Foundation at www.evergladesfoundation.org

A Must-Hear Voice on Everglades Restoration

In this episode of Cultivate Curiosity, our host Harley dives into the fascinating world of sea turtles with Jessica Valek, Natural Resources Manager at Destin-Fort Walton Beach and lead of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol. Discover how temperature plays a surprising role in determining the gender of sea turtle hatchlings, the importance of sea turtle-friendly lighting, and what goes into protecting nests during the busy nesting season. Jessica shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Sea Turtle Patrol and how the community can help safeguard these incredible creatures!

Like and follow Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinFortWaltonBeachSeaTurtlePatrol

Sea Turtle Patrol Hotline: 850-461-2885

Hatching Hope: Inside Sea Turtle Nesting Season

A podcast that inspires the next generation to stay curious. Cultivate Curiosity is brought to you by the Emerald Coast Science Center, a non-profit, interactive science museum, and STEAM educational facility in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This podcast is perfect for anyone curious about the world we live in–because you never know what we’ll talk about next!

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