Posts in Mad Science Monday


The Scientific Method in the Real World by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

Happy Science Literacy Week! And Also, What IS Science, Anyway?

It’s the most, wonderful tiiiiiime of the year – at least, if you’re a science person! It’s Science Literacy Week! If you’re not familiar, Science Literacy Week is an annual, national celebration of all things science. Universities, libraries, and ... Read More  

Museum in the Classroom: The Pleistocene Extinction Teaching Kits

Did you have a dinosaur phase when you were a kid? I did. I was in the second grade, and I was obsessed. I pored over library books, memorizing five-syllable names and amazing the adults with my stockpile of ... Read More  

Cover of Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

Science Literacy Week! And The Cover of My New Book It’s So Pretty I Can’t Even!!

It's Science Literacy Week! And while I cannot even believe it's the middle of September already, I am always so excited when SLW rolls around. Because SLW is the week when we celebrate science, and what science is, and ... Read More  

Science Rendezvous Is Almost Here!

If the last two years have taught us anything, it's that science matters. It helps us solve problems, find solutions (or mix them!), and make life better. Read More  

C is for Climate: Three Ways to Celebrate Science Literacy Week!

For those unfamiliar, Science Literacy Week is an annual event that celebrates the messy, astounding, wonder-filled thing that is the scientific method and all the knowledge it gives us. It's a time to learn about science, do some science, ... Read More  

Empty streets of Pompeii

Pompeii: Ghosts, Curses, and Brains of Glass

Last fall, I was lucky enough to visit the ruins of Pompeii. October not withstanding, it was a hot, sunny day, even first thing in the morning when our tour group arrived. In the distance, the green slopes of ... Read More  

Lindsey Carmichael autographing books

Happy Science Literacy Week!

It's Science Literacy Week!  *Fires cannons full of biodegradable confetti* The brainchild of Jesse Hildebrand, Science Literacy Week started as a grassroots initiative meant to raise awareness about science: what it is, how it works, and why it's awesome. It's grown ... Read More  

Cover of Drawdown, edited by Paul Hawken

Drawdown: Yes, It IS Possible to Reverse Global Warming

If you're anything like me, media coverage of climate change has given you the following impressions: Dependence on fossil fuels is the main reason for climate change. Individuals bear ultimate responsibility for climate change, because we make choices that are bad ... Read More  

Rampage movie poster

Representation of (Mad) Women Scientists in Rampage

One of the reasons I started Mad Scientist Mondays was because a lot of people don't actually know any scientists. As a result, cultural depictions of science and scientists - like those in movies and on TV - have ... Read More  

Mad Science Monday: May the 4th Be With You

Happy Star Wars Day, and welcome to my post about the science of this iconic series. Because my scientific expertise is strictly terrestrial, and because I am one of about three people on this planet who isn't really sure ... Read More  

Gene Therapy by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

Mad Science Monday: Marvel’s Inhumans (That’s Not How DNA Works)

Oh, Inhumans. I so wanted to like you, mostly due to my enduring crush on Anson Mount (or rather, Cullen Bohannon of Hell on Wheels). Sadly, I spent most of the time I was "watching" you making dinner, doing ... Read More  

Sasquatch and her giant paws

Mad Science Mondays: That Time We Ran a DNA Test on Sasquatch Hair

Many moons ago when I was but a grad student, my lab, which specialized in wildlife genetics, received an unusual request:  Run a DNA test on this hair, because we're pretty sure it's Sasquatch. To be clear, the sample did not ... Read More  

fabric masks don't block viruses

Mad Science Monday: Coronavirus, Flu, and Wanderers

Last week, the news broke that Canadians who are being evacuated from China will be quarantined at Canadian Forces Base Trenton for two weeks, to ensure they're not infected with the new coronavirus. This got my attention because CFB ... Read More  

Forensic Science: In Pursuit of Justice by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

Mad Science: The Brides in the Bath Murders

I've been watching Murder Maps on Netflix recently (because what's more Christmasy than murder?) and if you're into forensic science, it's solid viewing - a sort of historical Forensic Files, but with more social context. So far, S1E4: The ... Read More  

Scar and the hyaenas (Lion King 2019)

The Mad Science of The Lion King

Despite swearing off of live-action-remakes-of-Disney-movies-that-really-didn't-need-to-be-remade-to-begin-with, Tech Support and I recently watched the new version of The Lion King. Which isn't even "live action" so much as "slightly more advanced animation," but whatever. Read More  

Mr. Clarke from Stranger Things

Mad Scientists of Stranger Things: Part IV – Mr. Clarke

Did you miss the previous instalments in this series? Check the archives for posts on Martin Brenner, Sam Owens, and Dr. Alexei. Today, we're talking about my favourite character, never mind scientist, in all of Stranger Things: Mr. Clarke. Read More  

Dr. Alexei from Stranger Things

Mad Scientists of Stranger Things: Part III – Alexei

This is Part III in my series on the scientists of Stranger Things. Check the blog archive for thoughts on Martin Brenner and Sam Owens. Today, we take a look at everyone's favourite Russian scientist, Alexei! Read More  

Dr. Sam Owens from Stranger Things

Mad Scientists of Stranger Things: Part II – Sam Owens

And we're back for another look at the scientists of Stranger Things. Today, Dr. Sam Owens, successor of the horrible Martin Brenner, new head of Hawkins Lab. Read More  


1