When we think of microbes, it’s easy to look at how they’re harmful—flu and coronavirus, foodborne outbreaks, and algal blooms to name a few! But microbes are everywhere and many are beneficial. Join Anthony Vecchiarelli as he explains how cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can help combat climate change.

Museum@Home is issued twice a month. The Family Edition is issued on the first Wednesday of the month, and the Adult Edition on the third Wednesday.  

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Expert Expo: Scientist Spotlight

Meet scientists and learn about their research

Expert Interview: Algae and the Climate Crisis

Audience: Teens and Adults
Grades: 9-12+
Duration: 12 minutes

The newest U-M Museum of Natural History exhibit "pod"—Algae and the Climate Crisis— features the research of professor Anthony Vecchiarelli of the U-M Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. His lab studies the role of cyanobacteria (commonly called blue-green algae) in the climate crisis. 

Two Michigan Engineering undergraduate students, Morgan Cobb and Mahek Siwatch, interviewed Vecchiarelli about the exhibit. Both Morgan and Mahek are members of the U-M Global CO? Initiative Student Association and active in the field of carbon capture and utilization. This video is the first part of a four-part interview. Click the thumbnail at the end to keep watching the videos.

This exhibit, which features the research of Anthony Vecchairelli and his lab, was funded by the National Science Foundation. Carbon-capture objects were acquired with help from the U-M Global CO? Initiative. We would like to thank AirCompany, LanzaTech, Covestro, Victor Li and the Center for Low Carbon Built Environment, and SkyBaron for their donations.

Check out Museum@Home for more science fun!

Planetarium & Dome Theater

January 2023
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
11:30 a.m.   Sea Monsters
12:30 p.m.   Sky Tonight
 1:30 p.m.    Mars: One Thousand One
 2:30 p.m.    Sky Tonight

Lunar New Year Planetarium Show
Saturday, January 21 & 28, 2023
Saturday, February 4, 2023
10:30 a.m.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a special live show on the topics of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, Chinese star mythology, and current astronomical work being done by the Chinese community. This show is a joint production between the U-M Museum of Natural History and the U-M Center for Chinese Studies.

Planetarium & Dome Theater Shows

Tickets: $8 adults, seniors, and children ages 3 & up. Babies without tickets may be required to sit on an adult's lap. Tickets are available the day of the show. Schedule subject to change.

Click Here for more information.