SCONC- Science Communicators of North Carolina

A big thank you for joining us for this month's Science by the Slice coverage.

To learn more about SWOT and Dr. Pavelsky's innovative work, check out the links below:
uncglobalhydrology.org
swot.jpl.nasa.gov

See you all in March!

SWOT has already impressed scientists all over the world, and it's just getting started. The mission's publicly available data continues to inspire new questions about everything from the behavior of ocean eddies to the vegetation of Florida's Everglades.

The thousands of lakes captured in this image used to be invisible to satellites. SWOT's ability to detect and gather elevation data for every single one has opened many doors in hydrology and climate science.

This NASA press release compared SWOT's data to previously available images. Not only did it beat out the alternative, SWOT was around 10 times more accurate than expected. Oceanographers were ecstatic.

Since 2004, the SWOT mission has brought Dr. Pavelsky to incredible places. Watching the satellite take off from California's Vandenburg Space Force Base is one experience he surely won't forget.

By measuring changes in intensity as the satellite's light bounces off the Earth's surface, the KaRIn can capture the intricate ripples spreading across a lake. Viewing the data over time gives insights into weather patterns, water depth, and more...

The SWOT team had another idea. In the world of radar imaging, the wavelength of light limits the precision of visible features. The Ka Band Radar Interferometer, or KaRIn, allows them to "see" and gather data points on the order of a centimeter, a great improvement compared to previous methods.

Gathering data, however, presents some challenges. How does one find out what's going on in the middle of the ocean if tide gauges are on the coasts? Some are well monitored; others haven't collected data in decades.

Although an ocean's horizon may look flat, the body of water certainly isn't. Ocean water is constantly mixing, left and right, up and down. Understanding this movement is critical to understanding changing climate patterns worldwide.

Good afternoon! My name is Daniela and I'm one of SCONC's new interns. For today's Science by the Slice, we're delighted to welcome UNC's Dr. Tamlin Pavelsky for his talk, "The Surface Water and Ocean Topography Mission: NASA's Eye in the Sky for Earth's Water"

Stay tuned for more!

That’s it for today’s talk! To learn more about Matt Bertone, you can do so here: cals.ncsu.edu/entomology-a...

Being a diagnostician can sometimes mean having to analyze samples from wacky locations. Here’s a beetle added to the lab’s collection that was found in a child’s hair!

One of the worse parts of insect diagnostics is detecting invasive species which can threaten native wildlife and our safety. At the clinic, they’ve discovered 21 new invasive species to NC since Dr. Bertone started working there!

One of the cool part about insect diagnostics is the potential to discover new species. For example, Dr. Bertone aided in the discovery of a new species of flatworm!

A view of Dr. Bertone’s desk, with a variety of microscopes and yes, a landline!

Dr. Bertone uses a variety of insect identification methods across years of experience, relying on DNA and morphological techniques. Check out some of them here!

Dr. Matt Bertone is a diagnostic entomologist with the NC State Plant and Disease Clinic who provides accurate identification of insects and arthropods. You can learn more about the Plant and Disease Clinic here: pdic.ces.ncsu.edu

Hey everyone! My name is Nik Narain, and I’m an Intern at SCONC. I’m going to be covering today’s Science by the Slice talk: “Tales from an Insect Diagnostician: the Good, the Bad, and the Wacky” featuring @bertonemyia.bsky.social. Stay tuned for more info!

Tonight’s meet up is CANCELED due to weather! Catch you at the next meet up September 3 🦨

Join us today @ 6:00pm for a SciComm Meet up! This month we'll be at Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough, NC 27278 and bring a friend or two!

SCONC Professional Development / Travel Grants SCONC is delighted to be able to offer members funding to network, learn and generally geek out at #SciComm conferences and events around the country. Our rolling grant funding application should be…

Deadline TODAY! Apply TODAY for a SCONC professional development and travel grant 💸 SCONC members can apply for up to $1000 to support their professional development (including costs like child care)! More info:

Are you a federal worker or contractor or ORISE participant? The SCONC board wants to hear from you! Please take this super quick survey so we can develop an event (or event series) that best supports you: buff.ly/4GjNsdu

SCONC Professional Development / Travel Grants SCONC is delighted to be able to offer members funding to network, learn and generally geek out at #SciComm conferences and events around the country. Our rolling grant funding application should be…

Hurry- Deadline: June 11! SCONC professional development and travel grants are now open 💸 SCONC members can apply for up tp $1000 to support their professional development (including costs like child care)! More info:

TODAY! Start your weekend with a SCONC SciComm Meet Up @ the Rosecomb Beer Garden in Cary TODAY @ 6 pm.

No need to register! BYOD (buy your own drink) and get ready to chat with science nerds!

More info here: buff.ly/zhsRdJt

See you there! 🦨

TOMORROW! Join us for June's SCONC SciComm Meet Up @ the Rosecomb Beer Garden in Cary TOMORROW Friday, June 6 @ 6 pm.

No need to register. BYOD (buy your own drink) and get ready to chat with science nerds!

More info here: www.sconc.org/ourevents/

See you tomorrow 🦨

SCONC Professional Development / Travel Grants SCONC is delighted to be able to offer members funding to network, learn and generally geek out at #SciComm conferences and events around the country. Our rolling grant funding application should be filled...

SCONC members: Professional development and travel grants are now open! Members can apply for a max award of $1000 to support their professional development. The deadline for this round is June 11th. More info:

Warm weather calls for a Scicomm meet up! Join us for June's SCONC SciComm Meet Up @ the Rosecomb Beer Garden in Cary THIS Friday, June 6 @ 6 pm.

No need to register. Bring a friend or collaegue to this BYOD (buy your own drink) event!

More info here: www.sconc.org/ourevents/

See you Friday 🦨

🥁drumroll 🥁 Save the Date: We are pleased to announce that this year's SCONCies Award Gala will take place October 10 at the UNC Botanical Garden! Be on the lookout for the SCONCies Scicomm contest to open later this summer. This year we will introduce a new category for multimedia submissions!

Congratulations to all the May 2025 SCONC student member graduates!

2025 David Perlman Virtual Mentoring Program This summer, NASW is again offering its virtual summer mentoring program for graduate and undergraduate students. The program is named for longtime science writer and past NASW president David…

Students (and recent grads)!

NASW is offering a wonderful virtual mentoring opportunity! Deadline extended to May 25.

More info and sign-up link: www.nasw.org/article/nasw...