Science Communication, Glaciers, and a Podcast with Kate Hruby

Physics Alive

Kate Hruby is a self-proclaimed physics doubter turned physics enthusiast. She sails boats, plays with flubber, has great insights about education and science communication, and hosts a fun and informative podcast called Go Forth and Science.

Kate graduated from the University of New England in 2016 with a B.S. in environmental science and from the University of Maine in 2019 with a Masters in Earth and Climate Science. She is currently Chief Mate for the company Deep Sea Wilderness, where she is part of a team of experienced scientists and sailors providing students with live-aboard marine science, sailing and environmental education experiences on the Salish Sea off the coast of Washington state. This year she also started a podcast called Go Forth and Science, where she and her guests tell tales of science and adventure in the world around us. In this episode we talk about the learning experiences that made her education great, the super cool physics of flowing glaciers, why we and our students should learn a bit about glaciers, and we get the inside scoop on her podcast.

For a full set of show notes, go to http://www.physicsalive.com/goforth

Links discussed in the episode:

Let’s talk about teaching

• Kate: "Science is fun and interesting, and we should be talking about it in a fun and interesting way."

What has Kate found to be the most effective ways to learn?

• Hands on activities
• Field trips
• Have students teach the class

Let’s talk about glaciers

Flubber: makes a great glacier.

• Check out a recipe.
• Or watch a demonstration.

Where can we go to learn more about glacier physics?

• UMaine Geodynamics
• British Antarctic Survey
• Google flubber glaciers
• For example: A model presented on Science Friday
• or a model on the National Park Service website
• Glacier PhET
• And of course the first few episodes of the Go Forth and Science podcast
  • It’s Super Cool Part I
  • It’s Super Cool Part II

Let’s talk about the podcast Go Forth and Science

Find the podcast at:

• Website: www.goforthandscience.com
• Instagram: goforthandscience
• Twitter: goforth_science
• Facebook: goforth.science