What is the Environment? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

We talk a lot about the environment in this blog, mostly because we love it so much.

The environment is our source food, water, air, and pretty much EVERYTHING we need. But did you know that a lot of us actually have a skewed understanding of the environment?

In this video, we talk about what the environment really is. We also share some important data we collected that looks at how our youth views the environment — and how much of it is shaped by lessons they learned in school, at home, through social media, and the internet.

The data presented in this study shows one of the earliest research I’ve done at the nexus of ecology, science education, and science communication. It has helped me realize that we need to talk about the environment — and science, in general — more outside of the confines of the classroom. It also helped me understand that beyond asking our students to memorize facts and information, it is more important that we inspire them to care about things: about each other, about the world around them, and about proper decision-making that ensures we create the best solutions to our problems.

This video is also a call for us to talk about the environment more, because the more it features in our minds (and hearts) the higher the chance that we get inspired to do something to help take care of it.

If you want to check if your understanding of the environment is right, OR if you want to help others understand the environment more, then this video is for you!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

How to be Professional in Setting Up Meetings | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Research Writing)

Hello Science Fans!

Let’s take a break from writing and talk about… talking.

A lot of (good) science is done in collaboration with other scientists, so it is best if we learn how to coordinate and meet with our supervisors, colleagues, and students in a professional and respectful manner.

Specially now that a lot of us are still working from home (WFH), we must find the best means to communicate with each other digitally — and in the professional world, that is often through email.

It is quite surprising, actually, that a lot of our students and digital natives seem to take email etiquette for granted, despite being more familiar with the technology. Others who are older and less familiar with this mode of communication, on the other hand, can fail to apply it to its potential or are unable to figure out their way around it.

At the end, failure to communicate properly — to send emails, to set up meetings, and to disseminate information from said emails — prevents us from showing respect to each other, and prevents us from being professional.

In this video, we talk about professionalism and how it is reflected in how we set appointments for meetings, how we behave during meetings, and the follow ups that we do after the meetings. We discuss email etiquette, and we also talk about the process of creating minutes of the meeting.

So, if you need some help getting in touch with your boss or adviser, OR if you want to remind your team about the best way to get in touch with each other, then this video is for you!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Does Planting Trees Really Help the Environment? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

Have you ever planted a tree? Did you know that, by law (Republic Act No. 10176), we are required to plant one tree every year?

But… Did you also know planting trees – SOMETIMES – actually end up hurting the environment more?

In this video, we talk about the processes that allow trees to produce oxygen AND carbon dioxide. We also look at the logistics of tree planting and try to figure out just how many trees we should plant before we can make a positive impact. We also discuss why we can’t just plant any tree anywhere — and that the choice of tree species to plant is important.

So if you’re a plantito or plantita, or simply want to learn more about how to take care of the environment, then please give this video a chance!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

How to Make a Perfect Elevator Pitch | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Research Writing)

Hello Science Fans!

Do you have less than a minute to introduce yourself to a potential employer?

Are you dreading that inevitable question: What’s your thesis?

Do you want to impress the director of your funding agency in the span of an elevator ride?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you might just need to learn how to “pitch perfect”.

In this video, we talk about the basics of creating an elevator pitch — which is a summarized speech of your project, your professional identity, or your company, in the span of a quick elevator ride. We walk you through writing the speech, trimming it down, rehearsing it, and finally, delivering it.

Learning how to make an elevator pitch can also make your more confident with your topic as it requires a clear visualization of what you want to do and who you are in the perspective of your topic.

So, if you want to find the best way to introduce yourself, or your project, to just about anyone, then this video is for you!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Trese, Aswang, and the Science of Shape-shifting | SHE-ensya’s corner Episode 24

Hello Science Fans!

Have you watched Trese on Netflix?

It’s exciting how it showcases the various creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology — which includes our famous shapeshifters: the Aswang.

In this video, we talk about the different categories of Aswang that have distinct shapeshifting abilities. We also talk about different science-documented creatures that have are capable of shapeshifting. We talk about why shapeshifting could be a desirable trait, and why shapeshifting seems to appear repeatedly in our mythologies.

I hope you get to enjoy our fantastically scary dive into stories and biodiversity!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

What is the Real Impact of Covid-19 on the Environment? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

How are you?

We have been experiencing the longest community quarantines in the world, and the Covid-19 pandemic has continued its onslaught. With limited mobility, are truly seeing clearer skies because of lessened pollution? 

Are our beaches really cleaner because of a smaller number of tourists? 

Is the environment really getting better because of the pandemic?

In this video, we take a look at the scientific reports published in reputable papers globally to assess the real impact of Covid-19 on air quality, the state of our coastlines, and levels of pollution worldwide. We also try to give advise on alternative activities and behavior that can help the planet as we try to protect ourselves.

I hope this video can help us make better choices for our safety AND the environment!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

How to Write Your Results, Discussion, and Conclusion? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Research Writing)

Hello Science Fans!

Have you discovered something #epic? Does your data speak for itself? Or… Does it need a little clarity?

It’s easy to get lost along the way of interpreting the data from your results, but in this video, we take a look at how a well-established conceptual framework, a clear understanding of your hypothesis, and a well-outlined set of objectives, can make the last set of chapters in your research paper a piece of pi (pun intended).

If you want to find the best way to explain your results, dive into a deep discussion, and finish with a concrete conclusion, then this video is a must-watch!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Just a quick break, it’s been more than a year after all!

Hello Science Fans!

Will be taking a quick break in making a new video this week to re-charge our creative juices! Will (hopefully) be back next week for more science goodness!

For now, maybe you can help your resident Filipina scientist?

Could you send in suggestions for future topics for discussion? Type it in the chat below, or maybe send in a DM.

I’ll leave you with our anniversary special video last March, and hoping to see you again with new content next weekend!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Health foods that Hurt the Planet | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

Have you heard that being healthy can also be helpful to the planet?

This is generally true, but there are health fads that actually help destroy the environment.

In this video, we pull back the curtain and show the truth about some health fads that actually hurt our planet more. We talk about the dirty secret behind almond milk, and how you should reconsider your primary calcium source dependent on the locality where toy live. We talk about the impact of the booming quinoa farming to the land and biodiversity of South America, and whether you should use it as alternative carbohydrate source. We also discuss the production of protein shakes, and even tofu, and how their carbon footprint might make you cringe.

And finally (I’m so sorry), we also talk about your potentially dangerous coffee habit! THE HORROR!

I hope this video can help us make better choices for our health AND the environment!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

How to Write Your Methodology? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Research Writing)

Hello Science Fans!

Have you found a problem worthy of your attention? Are you now ready to get your hands dirty and act on this problem?

Well, then if the scientific method is your way (and even more so if it’s not), then this video is for you!

In this episode, we discuss how you can write your Methodology aka Materials and Methods. We discuss the basics of experimental design, and even differentiate between a replicate and a subsample. We specially talk about considerations on how many replicates your study is supposed to have in order to have (statistical) power!

If you’re itching to write that proposal for your thesis or funded project, I hope this video guides you towards the right direction!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!