The Franklin Institute

With Many Countries Under Shelter-in-Place Orders, the World Shakes a Little Less

'Researchers who monitor the planet’s seismic activity to detect earthquakes and volcanic activity have noticed things quieting down as trains, buses and people stop moving around.' #scienceiseverywhere

smithsonianmag.com Geoscientists noticed the normal rumbles of human activity picked up by their instruments have died down as much of the world ground to a halt

#FranklinOutside
Specimen: Dogwood tree
Difficulty: Medium!
These beautiful flowers aren't what they seem! The dogwood's petals are actually a modified leaf, called a bract, and may be white, pink, or multicolored. The cluster within contains about 20 tiny flowers! Can you find this ornamental beauty in your neighborhood?

Live COVID-19 Q&A

Join Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das and decision strategist Annie Duke to learn about the psychology of smarter decision making in the midst of a pandemic.

Deep-Sea Squids Glow to Communicate in the Dark

The deep sea is vast, empty and dark—not an ideal place for animals to communicate via visual signals. Yet the Humboldt squid (Dosidicus giga) can communicate visually at depths of 600 feet or more. #EarthDay2020

smithsonianmag.com Researchers suggest that the Humboldt squid uses bioluminescent backlighting for visual cues in the dark deep sea

[04/20/20]   Join Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das and decision strategist Annie Duke to learn about the psychology of smarter decision making in the midst of a pandemic.

Ben Franklin didn't actually say, 'Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy', but he would have loved the Fishtown Science Crawl. Celebrate from home and buy Ben a beer! Make a $5 donation today to support The Franklin Institute.

Celebrate Earth Day 2020 with The Franklin Institute!

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day represents a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate the world around us. There is no better—or more needed—time to cultivate an appreciation for the natural environment. Join us (virtually) for #EarthDay2020!

fi.edu In the midst of a great global slowdown, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day represents a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate the world around us. There is no better—or more needed—time to cultivate an appreciation for the natural environment.

#BadScience: Your Brain

Misconception: 'People only use 10% of their brain.' Not true! Get ready to feel empowered! #thatsbs #badscience

#FranklinOutside:
Specimen: Dandelion clock
Difficulty: Easy!
Each individual white wisp on the dandelion clock is actually a fruit! The silky parachutes, known as pappi, blow away with the wind and safely transport seeds to a new growth location. Can you spot these puffballs?

#CaptionThis Can you guess what these men were carrying in 1933? We’ll give you a hint, it is part of an 85-foot long object and it's still on display today!
(FI Cat #PR 708)

COVID, Climate, and Resilience

In the lead up to #EarthDay2020, Dr. Rachel Valletta takes a look at the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our planet and how we can use those lessons to address climate impacts.

fi.edu Learning from one crisis to address the next

#FoundattheFranklin - Light Bulb

#FoundattheFranklin A light-emitting diode (LED) takes some of an electron's energy and converts it directly into , or particles of light. Be the first to answer correctly and you could be featured in our #FranklinatHome emails!

Thanks for joining us for Night Skies @ Home! Let's explore together!

Artificial Intelligence and COVID-19

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we engage physically and digitally with the world around us. No time is better than now to harness the power of AI to help us understand and defeat COVID-19. #scienceiseverywhere

fi.edu Artificial Intelligence and COVID-19 Darryl N. Williams, Ph.D. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we engage physically and digitally with the world around us. In fact, it plays a huge role in enhancing our abilities to sense, collect data, and support the creation of targeted solut...

Can You Use Bubbles To Create Art?

Have you ever tried using bubbles to make art? Give it a shot using one of our Science Recipes. #FranklinatHome

fi.edu Can you use bubble membranes to create a work of art? This activity will show you how to create colorful artwork using the physical properties of bubbles. Age: 5-11 yearsTime: 20-30 minutesTopics: Bubbles, Crafts, Art, Colors What You Need: Tempera or washable craft paint (3-5 colors) Bubble solutio...

#FranklinOutside Environmental Scientist Rachel “Dr. Don” Valletta is on location again talking trees, carbon, and climate. Are trees really that powerful at capturing carbon? Learn a few quick forestry tips and find out for yourself!

Get ready to explore with Dr. Rachel Valletta at 3pm! Refresh the page to join the conversation. https://www.facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/

Test Your Knowledge!

Just how much do you know about Your Brain? Try our new quiz to see how much you know... or don't know about your noggin!

fi.edu Take The Franklin Institute's Brain Quiz to find out just how much you know about your noggin!

#SparkofScience: After Image

Have you ever accidentally stared into the sun or a bright light and then saw spots or even an image? How does that work? Science Interpreter Fox headed (safely) outside to show us.

#FranklinOutside
Specimen: Leaf beetle
Difficulty: Hard!
At much less than 1 inch long, leaf beetles can be tough to spot. But a metallic carapace (body) makes the search worthwhile! Can you spot one?

Trying to figure out the best way to use your mask? Check out our Dos and Don'ts to make this adventure a little easier! Stay safe!

In today’s update, Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das explores the social and environmental factors that may underlie racial disparities in the impact of COVID-19.

Watch These Six Flower Bloom Events From Your Couch

Stuck inside due to social distancing and bad weather? Check out these bloom events right from your couch! 🌷🌻

smithsonianmag.com Tulips, cherry blossoms and orchids supply a ray of hope during self-isolation

In today’s update, Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das explores the social and environmental factors that may underlie racial disparities in the impact of COVID-19. See you at 3pm EST! facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/

#That'sBS: Clouds

Misconception: 'clouds are weightless.' Actually, we're pretty happy no one has to carry one of these. #thatsbs #badscience

#MyHomeMuseum

The Franklin Institute is calling all fans and collectors—both avid and casual, young and old—to open the doors to their personal treasured collection, whatever that may be. You've seen our collection, and now we want to see yours! Take a picture or video of your display, tag us on social media and use #MyHomeMuseum.

#FranklinOutside:
Specimen: Pansy
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Despite its delicate appearance, pansies are tough! This plucky specimen has popped up in a sidewalk crack and could bloom a second time come fall. Where do you spot pansies in your neighborhood?

Join us live on Instagram at 5:30pm EST for The Search Bar! Come thirsty for knowledge. Available on mobile. BYOC instagram.com/franklininstitute

Introducing Franklin @ Home

Come explore virtually with us! Introducing Franklin @Home, all-new digital science offerings from The Franklin Institute. fi.edu/franklin-at-home

#FoundattheFranklin Animals with backbones (vertebrates) like mammals, fish, reptiles, birds all have red blood, but natural chemicals create a spectrum of blood colors across the animal kingdom. Red blood contains iron. Nickel gives some insects like butterflies and caterpillars green "blood" called hemolymph. Mollusks (like octopuses and squid) and crustaceans contain , making their blood blue. Remember, guess correctly (and quickly!) and you could be featured in our #FranklinatHome email series!

Enjoy the Night Skies @ Home with Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts, part of #FranklinatHome.

Join us TONIGHT at 7:45pm EST for Night Skies @ Home with Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts - RAIN OR SHINE! Come with your questions and explore the night skies with us. facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/

#FranklinOutside
Specimen: Spotted Lanternfly egg mass
Difficulty: Hard!
Each egg mass (the gray splotches in this photo) can contain up to 50 eggs--yuck! Can you find one and squash it? (Hint: scroll down to yesterday's live video to learn how!)

The growing pandemic caused by COVID-19 has created an unprecedented, rapid convergence between open source technology and healthcare. Our team is currently in the early stages of 3D printing face shields to be deployed locally. Many others are getting involved too. bit.ly/AdditiveManufacturinginaTimeofNecessity

#FranklinOutside Why is now the perfect time of year to hunt the spotted lanternfly? Environmental Scientist Rachel “Dr. Don” Valletta weighs in on how we can put our limited time outside to good use! Learn where to look for spotted lanternfly egg masses, how to ID them, and how to SQUASH them. https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly

#FranklinOutside Day 3
Species: Daffodil🌼 Difficulty: Easy!
Daffodils are unique for their corona (the peach colored feature on this beauty!). The corona likely evolved to attract pollinators, but today is selected by breeders. What colors can you spot in your neighborhood? Don't forget to tag us and we may feature you!

Tune in at 3pm to discover something new in nature with Dr. Rachel Valletta! Today we'll learn how to destroy lantern fly eggs. facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/

#FranklinOutside Scavenger Hunt - Day 2!
Species: Bumblebee
Difficulty: Easy!
Bumblebees and flowering trees have a mutualistic relationship: bees collect pollen and nectar & pollinate other trees. Can you spot a pollination event?

Show us what you find and tag #FranklinOutside. We'll give a shout-out to our favorite submission when we go live Wednesday at 3pm!

#SparkofScience: Hand Washing

Do you know how to wash your hands? Do you really? In our newest #SparkofScience, part of #FranklinatHome, Science Interpreter Al uses ink to show us what to do and why. Don't forget - it's also important to disinfect home surfaces regularly - especially handles! Check out CDC.gov for cleaning tips.

We’re proud to be participating in #PhillyShinesBlue to honor the health care heroes and first responders battling to save lives. Our museum and other Parkway Museums District organizations and buildings across the city will shine blue each Tuesday in April starting today #WorldHealthDay.

Seeing the International Space Station!

Tonight catch the ISS: rises WNW at 8:30, passing Venus at 8:33, heads towards Orion passing above the Belt stars at 8:34; continues SSE passing above the bright star Sirius at 8:35. Disappears in the SE at 8:37p. This is the last easily visible EVENING fly-over until April 25th.

fi.edu Looking for something unique to do with your spare time? Become an ISS spotting expert! All you need is your phone and a place to view from – your backyard, your front step, a nearby intersection – but no telescope.

Join us for another FB live with Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das at 3pm! facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/

Why do some people get sicker from COVID-19 than others? Chief Bioscientist Dr. Jayatri Das explores the questions that scientists are asking to understand the range of symptoms we see, even among young healthy people. PLUS: discussing the tiger at The Bronx Zoo who has tested positive, and an update about hydroxychloroquine.

Ready for our #FranklinOutside Scavenger Hunt?
Photo 1: Difficulty - Easy! Species - American Robin
With puffy red chests, robins are easily spotted running across lawns and parks. Why do you think robins are so common in grassy areas?

Photo 2: Difficulty - Easy! Species - Cherry Blossom
These delicate white and pink flowers can’t be missed–if you know where to find them. This tree isn’t native to Pennsylvania. Why do you think it’s growing here?

Show us your finds! Tag us and use #FranklinOutside in social media and comment with your favorites!

ISS - Visible Passes

Tonight's ISS fly-over is a challenging one. It rises just north of west at 9:16p and ends in the southwest at 9:22p. It's a low pass, just 20 degrees above the horizon at 9:21 and then it disappears into Earth's shadow at 9:22. The cool thing is that it passes to the right or west of Venus , then through the lower part of the constellation Orion, passing right over the star Saiph - Orion's right ankle star before it disappears. To find ISS tonight, look toward Venus at 9:19, then watch it head towards Orion. Details at https://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544

heavens-above.com Satellite predictions and other astronomical data customised for your location.