The Story Collider at Fermilab

FermilabFermilab
Science & Technology2 min read89 min video
May 22, 2018|5,479 views|93|6
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Key Moments

TL;DR

Storytellers share personal, emotional science experiences at Fermilab, highlighting passion, discovery, and connection.

Key Insights

1

Science is deeply personal and driven by passion, ambition, and heartbreak, not just logic.

2

Personal stories can demystify science and inspire future generations to pursue scientific careers.

3

The process of scientific discovery is often messy, iterative, and full of unexpected turns.

4

Art and science can intersect, providing unique ways to understand and communicate complex concepts.

5

Making a case for scientific research requires both understanding the science and humanizing its impact.

6

The Story Collider fosters a community by sharing true personal stories about science, making it relatable.

THE STORY COLLIDER'S MISSION

The Story Collider, founded by physicists, shares true personal stories about science, emphasizing emotional connection over lectures. It aims to explore the human side of scientific endeavors, showcasing love, passion, ambition, and heartbreak within the scientific community. This initiative has led to over a thousand stories across numerous shows and cities, highlighting a universal desire to connect with science on a personal level.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS

Don Lincoln's story illustrates how personal experiences and accessible science communication can profoundly impact young individuals. Through his books and a guided tour of Fermilab, he inspired a young fan with a serious heart condition to pursue physics. This highlights the crucial role of relatable scientists and engaging experiences in igniting a passion for science, especially for those from non-scientific backgrounds.

THE ALLURE OF THE NIGHT SKY AND COSMIC MYSTERIES

Mike Albrow reflects on a lifelong fascination with the cosmos, starting from childhood meteor observations to a career in particle physics. His story connects stargazing with scientific inquiry, from early astronomical drawings to understanding cosmic phenomena like comets and Olbers' paradox. He emphasizes the importance of preserving dark skies and encourages future scientists to explore persistent mysteries like dark energy.

FINDING CONNECTION AND PURPOSE IN BIG SCIENCE

Cindy Joe shares her journey of feeling isolated and invisible as an accelerator operator at Fermilab. Despite the challenges of shift work and a demanding environment, her passion for physics and belief in the value of her work sustained her. The story underscores the importance of self-validation and finding community, illustrating how even a small pet can offer profound emotional support and perspective.

ART AS A BRIDGE TO SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING

Lindsay Olson discovered a deep connection between art and science while working as an artist-in-residence at Fermilab. Initially daunted by complex physics, she learned to translate scientific concepts into visual art, making them accessible to a broader audience. Her experience highlights how art can serve as a powerful tool for communicating scientific discoveries and fostering a deeper appreciation for research.

MAKING THE CASE FOR BASIC RESEARCH

Herman White Jr. discusses the critical role of advocating for basic scientific research, especially to non-scientists in positions of power. Drawing on his experiences in Washington D.C. discussing funding with Congress, he emphasizes the need for clear communication that links scientific endeavors to broader societal benefits and national interests. His story highlights the importance of humanism and personal connection in securing support for science.

Common Questions

The Story Collider is an organization that shares true personal stories about science. They host live shows and produce a podcast, focusing on the emotional journey of science rather than lectures.

Topics

Mentioned in this video

personProfessor Snailworthy

Cindy Jo's pet snail, which accompanied her from Portland to Fermilab and served as a source of companionship and a conversation starter.

personDan Dwyer

A person who, along with Cindy Jo, Lindsay Olsen followed through the experiments at Fermilab.

organizationThe Story Collider

An organization that shares true personal stories about science through live shows and a podcast, aiming to evoke emotions rather than teach.

personBen Lilly

Co-founder of The Story Collider, a former physicist who left research to find a role in science communication.

personSandy Muscies

The mother of Terry and Penny, who facilitated Terry's visit to Fermilab and sent Don Lincoln a thank-you card.

conceptPerseid meteors

A meteor shower observed by Mike Albro as a child, sparking his interest in astronomy.

mediaComet Ikeya-Seki

One of the bright comets that appeared in 1957, which Mike Albro drew and contributed to the Junior Astronomical Society Journal.

personLindsay Olsen

A visual artist and the fourth storyteller, whose work is inspired by science and technology, and who was Fermilab's first artist-in-residence.

organizationColumbia College Chicago

Institution where Lindsay Olsen teaches textiles and previously studied art.

personPenny Muscies

The sister of Terry, who initially requested an autographed book for her sister.

organizationStockholm University

University where Mike Albro became a professor.

personBryan Wecht

Co-founder of The Story Collider.

productQueen Mary 2

The ship on which Don Lincoln was invited to give lectures as part of Scientific American's 'Cruising Science' program.

organizationThe Moth

A storytelling organization that the host previously taught for, focusing on helping teenagers tell their stories.

personPatrick Moore

A British amateur astronomer and television presenter who encouraged Mike Albro's interest in astronomy.

bookJournal of the Junior Astronomical Society

A publication where Mike Albro had his first discovery published, related to a comet's anti-tail.

studyTuskegee Experiment

A notorious study where African-American men with syphilis were left untreated to observe the disease's progression, serving as a cautionary tale for Herman B. White Jr.

organizationUS Congress

The legislative body Herman B. White Jr. has engaged with to advocate for science funding.

personTerry Muscies

A high school student and fan of Don Lincoln's books, who was inspired to pursue physics after a visit to Fermilab following open-heart surgery.

productSputnik 1

The first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, a significant event impacting Mike Albro's childhood interests.

locationMagellanic Clouds

Dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, visible in the southern sky and observed by Mike Albro.

personHerman B. White Jr.

A senior scientist at Fermilab for over 43 years and the final storyteller, who communicates science policy to Congress.

locationMacon County

County in Alabama where Tuskegee is located, which Herman B. White Jr. identified as his origin to a Congressman from that state.

organizationMetropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

The agency responsible for treating wastewater in Cook County, which Lindsay Olsen created art inspired by.

productPenicillin

Mentioned as an example of a scientific advancement appreciated by the 'civilian' co-host.

personMike Albro

A retired physicist and the second storyteller, who discovered an anti-tail of a comet, worked at CERN, and contributed to discoveries of the top quark and Higgs boson.

mediaThe Sky at Night

A long-running BBC astronomy television program hosted by Sir Patrick Moore, which Mike Albro watched as a child.

personCindy Jo

An engineering physicist at Fermilab and the third storyteller, formerly a particle accelerator operator.

locationTuskegee, Alabama

Herman B. White Jr.'s hometown, known for the Tuskegee Airmen and the controversial Tuskegee Experiment.

mediaHistory Makers Video Oral History Archives

An archive that includes Herman B. White Jr.'s life story.

conceptNorthern Lights

Aurora borealis, observed by Mike Albro in Alaska and Lapland, caused by solar particles interacting with the atmosphere.

conceptStrong Force

One of the fundamental forces in nature, studied by Lindsay Olsen for her art project.

organizationTuskegee Airmen

A group of African-American military pilots who trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, during World War II, inspiring Herman B. White Jr.

legislationEdward A. Bouchet Award

An award given by the American Physical Society to Herman B. White Jr. in 2010 for his contributions.

locationLibrary of Congress
toolNew York Times
toolWorld War II

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