During the fall 2016 semester, the Avery Point Global Café will explore the work of groundbreaking scientist, conservationist, and visionary Rachel Carson (1907-1964), who served as one of the first full-time female fisheries scientists hired by a US federal agency. This theme offers course connections and discussions relating to the environment, the development of the modern environmental movement, gender in science, education, and politics, and the impacts of biocides on soil and water, wildlife, and human health. The Global Cafe invites intersections of unique disciplinary perspectives relating to these themes brought forth through Carson’s seminal work, Silent Spring (1962).
This theme offers course connections and discussions relating to the environment, the development of the modern environmental movement, gender in science, education, and politics, and the impacts of biocides on soil and water, wildlife, and human health. The Global Cafe invites intersections of unique disciplinary perspectives relating to these themes brought forth through Carson’s seminal work, Silent Spring (1962). All are welcome.
‘The Legacy of Rachel Carson’: A Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 20th | 12:30-1:30pm | Avery Point Auditorium
Zofia Baumann, Assistant Research Professor of Marine Sciences
“Researching Chemical Contaminants in the Ocean” Dr. Baumann will discuss why and how she has been investigating the cycling and bioaccumulation of metal contaminants in marine ecosystems. Dr. Baumann will present three examples of studies that she took part in and explain her perspectives of why these matter. She will link her interests to environmental awareness in modern societies, which, she states, we owe largely to works of Rachel Carson and others who have created environmental movements.
Vena Haynes, Ph.D. Student, Marines Sciences
“Nanomaterials in the environment: small particles, big headaches” Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring is a narrative on how pesticides and other toxic chemicals were embraced in our daily lives before the science community had determined their lasting effects on the environment and our health. With the rise of nanotechnology, we may be experiencing another silent spring because researchers cannot keep up with all of the different types of nanomaterials that are being produced. The Ward laboratory at UConn Avery Point studies the effects of different nanomaterials on commercially and ecologically important coastal marine organisms. In this presentation, Vena Haynes will discuss her work on the impact of nanoparticles on marine planktonic organisms (recently funded by an EPA STAR fellowship), and explore what we currently know about nanomaterials in the aquatic environment, and where research should be headed in the future.
Helen Rozwadowski, Associate Professor of History and Maritime Studies
“The Sea before Silent Spring” Much attention has been, rightly, paid to Rachel Carson’s contributions to raising awareness of environmental concerns and to galvanizing individuals and governments into action. Most of the initial reactions to Silent Spring focused on terrestrial environments. Similarly, the formal environmental movement has – with the distinct exception of the campaign to save the whales – had a strong terrestrial focus…perhaps, bias. It is only quite recently that the ocean has entered the mainstream of environmental concerns. Yet, Carson began her career in marine science, and her ocean-oriented books laid the groundwork for Silent Spring.
This event is hosted by the Avery Point Global Cafe and Eco-Husky. Please contact Nancy.Parent@uconn.edu for more info.
Film Screenings:
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016
12:30-1:30 Auditorium
The Power of One Voice: A Film Exploring the Impact of Rachel Carson’s Life and Work (2015) http://powerofonevoicefilm.com 52 minutes
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016
12:30-1:45 ACD 308
The Sea Around Us (1953), 1 hour (with introduction and Q&A)
Monday, November 7, 2016
7:30pm Auditorium
A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet (2013)
101 minutes
http://www.afiercegreenfire.com/trailer.html
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016
12:30-1:45 Auditorium
Love Thy Nature (2015), 76 minutes
Additional resources for Rachel Carson’s work include:
-Connecticut College Lear-Carson Collection
–Forthcoming Film on Rachel Carson includes numerous Links