Chelsey Peutert
Agricultural Environmental Engineer
Carly Silver
Career Profiles
Associate Ecologist
What is Acid Rain?
STEM Explained
Acid rain is any precipitation that has an unusually low pH. It can be rain, snow, fog, etc. But what is a low pH and why is this a problem?
What makes soil hard and compacted?
Hands-on Activities
Explore how walking on soil changes how water soaks into the ground and why that matters to gardeners and farmers.
What are Greenhouse Gases?
Backgrounders
This backgrounder explains what greenhouse gases are and how they contribute to climate change.
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 are Carbon Offsets?
STEM Explained
Can carbon offsets help you reduce your environmental footprint, practice sustainable living and fight climate change?
Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle
STEM Explained
What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?
Vegetables
Picture Collections
14 images of some plants such as carrots, cabbage and leeks whose roots, stems or leaves are used for food
The Classification of Life: From Linnaeus to DNA Barcoding
Backgrounders
Learn about two taxonomy systems that scientists use to classify the life around us.
Should Scientists Clone Extinct Species?
STEM Explained
Cloning makes it possible to bring extinct species back to life. But is that a good idea?
Should We Eat Bugs?
STEM Explained
What's tasty, abundant and high in protein and vitamins? Bugs! Bugs feed about 2 billion people each day. They also hold promise for food security and sustainability.
Reptiles
Picture Collections
10 images of some cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes, lizards and alligators typically having dry, scaly skin
Marine Microbiology: Meet the Microbes of the Sea!
STEM Explained
The ocean is full of very small but very useful creatures called microbes. Without them, none of the sea plants or animals you’ve seen would exist!
Natural Selection in Your Backyard
STEM Explained
A study on bird feeders and beak sizes shows how an everyday human activity can affect the evolution of another species.