Adam Tofani
Career Profiles
Offshore Completions Engineer
Natalie Swanson
Petroleum Geologist
Terry Penney
Hibernia Offshore Installation Manager
Can Whales Really Explode?
STEM Explained
When deceased whales wash up on shore, people fear they might explode. Gas laws, decomposition reactions and organic chemistry can help us understand this fear.
Why Do Apples Turn Brown After You Cut Them?
STEM Explained
Has your fresh juicy apple turned an unsightly brown? Learn about the redox reaction behind the transformation.
Fueling Internal Combustion Engines
Backgrounders
Learn about the wide variety of fuels used in vehicles.
Why Do People Get Hangovers?
STEM Explained
Why does drinking too much alcohol make people feel so bad? Read about four theories.
What are the Pros and Cons of Ethanol Biofuel?
STEM Explained
Biofuels like ethanol might help fight climate change. But they can contribute to food insecurity and greenhouse gases in ways that might surprise you.
What is Fracking?
STEM Explained
The fracking process gets natural gases out of rocks. This process can have effects on freshwater, water quality and even earthquakes!
The Chemistry of Lipstick
STEM Explained
Learn about the organic compounds that make up lipstick as well as about some of the chemistry that goes into this popular cosmetic.
Stupendous Suds
STEM Explained
Every time you wash your hands with soap, there are complex chemical reactions taking place.
Polystyrene: The Pros, the Cons, the Chemistry
STEM Explained
Learn the organic chemistry behind this very useful plastic. Why is recycling polystyrene hard? Why does polystyrene often end up as solid waste?
Meringue: The Science Behind a Wonderfully Fluffy Dessert
STEM Explained
Learn about the biochemistry of cooking meringue.
Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?
STEM Explained
Learn how e-cigarettes and other vaping products work, and why scientists and health professionals have concerns about their safety.
How is Ethanol Made?
Backgrounders
Ethanol is a biofuel that can power a car. Learn about the enzymes, catalysts and processes like fermentation involved in ethanol production.