The UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) is back with its monthly feature, Cincinnati Science Roundup. Check out events and news related to science happening in November from PEWS, our collaborators, and community partners around Greater Cincinnati!
PEWS on Cincinnati Edition!
Cincinnati Edition, originally aired Monday, October 26. Available on any podcast platform.
Tune in to WXVU’s Cincinnati Edition to hear about science outreach efforts in Cincinnati! The episode features PEWS Director, Angela Potochnik, as well as PEWS Affiliates Brian Pollock, manager of STEM resources at the Cincinnati Museum Center and Andrew Bernier, manager of education and research at Cincinnati Parks.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.
Environmental Justice Scholar Dr. Robert D. Bullard Lecturing at the University of Cincinnati
Thursday, November 5, 5pm. Probasco Auditorium, 2839 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH.
RSVP today to join the University of Cincinnati for our Curious Minds, Annual Lecture Series, Thursday, November 5 at 5:00 pm at Probasco Auditorium, featuring Dr. Robert D. Bullard.
Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental justice, human rights and public health challenges of our time. But its impacts are not felt equally.
Drawing on decades of research and firsthand experience with disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, Dr. Robert D. Bullard will explore how vulnerable communities face disproportionate environmental risks and barriers to recovery. His lecture will examine the policies and practices that perpetuate inequality and highlight strategies for building stronger, more equitable and resilient communities.
Widely recognized as the “father of environmental justice,” Dr. Robert D. Bullard is a pioneering scholar whose work has helped shape the environmental justice movement. For decades, he has examined the connections between race, environmental policy, public health and inequality.
An award-winning author and advocate, Dr. Bullard has written extensively about environmental racism, climate justice and disaster recovery, including his book The Wrong Complexion for Protection, which explores inequalities in government responses to disasters.
Beyond Technical Fixes: Climate Change and the Future of Humanity
Friday, November 6, 2-3:30pm. 1170 Clifton Court Hall, University of Cincinnati.
With Muhammad U. Faruque, Taft Distinguished Professor of Islamic Philosophy and Environmental Studies at the University of Cincinnati.
This lecture investigates why the climate crisis cannot be solved through technology and policy alone. Drawing on the environmental humanities, Sufism, and ecological economics, the lecture argues that climate change is ultimately a crisis of values and meaning, calling for a new way of understanding the relationship between human beings, the climate, and the more-than-human world
Registration is free and open to all.
Somebody Should Do Something: A Conservation Civics Event
Thursday, November 12, 7-8:30pm. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH. Preregistration required.
Cincinnati Nature Center is committed to addressing environmental challenges by helping our community move beyond growing polarization, individualism, and pessimism. To protect the natural world, we must better connect with one another. We call this philosophy Conservation Civics, and it involves adopting
an ethic of local influence and engagement within our communities. On Thursday, Nov 12, 2026, we are partnering with Michael Brownstein and Alex Madva, authors of Somebody Should Do Something to discuss how!
Feeling like your reusable bags and sustainable purchases barely scratch the surface of today’s environmental crises? Somebody Should Do Something shows why your actions matter far more than you think—and how they can lead to collective solutions.
Join the authors for an eye-opening session that blends philosophy, ethics, and human behavior to reveal how personal choices become powerful catalysts for systemic impact. Learn why the most effective actions are those that springboard us into working with others, and how you can modify your actions for more impact.
You can purchase tickets here.
Dear Future Us: An Afternoon of Belonging & Possibility with Dr. Shawn Ginwright
Thursday, November 5, 3-5pm. The Transept, 1205 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH.
Interact for Health invites you to an afternoon with Dr. Shawn Ginwright, author of The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves, for a discussion on a systems-level approach to building a healthier, more connected future, and the pivots we can make together to make this vision a reality. We will gather for an afternoon of belonging and possibility (and light bites and refreshments) on Thursday, November 5, from 3-5 p.m. at The Transept.
Doors open at 3 p.m. and the program will begin at 3:30 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public; registration is appreciated. You can register here.
3rd Annual Pumpkin Stem with the Archaeological Research Institute
Saturday, November 7, 11am-6pm. Carriage House Farms, 2872 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend, OH.
The Pumpkin STEM Festival is back—and bigger than ever! This free, family-friendly event brings together the best of hands-on science, ancient technology, and seasonal fun.
Enjoy an immersive day of:
- Dan Duo 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Trebuchet Pumpkin Launches
- Large Trebuchet with a 19-foot throwing arm!
- Mini Trebuchet (first come, first served)
- NEW! Ballista (first come, first served)
- Historical Demonstrations
- ARI flint knapper Nathan Thomas
- Rising Sun Metal Works blacksmith
- Atlatl Range – try your hand at ancient hunting techniques
- Lego League Demonstrations on stage
- Artisan Marketplace
- Food & Drink Vendors
- Carriage House Farm BBQ
- Lost Bridge Beverage
- Hourly Lego League Demonstrations
- Kids Zone
- Build Your Own Mini Catapult
- Dye Your Own Friendship Bracelet with Natural Dyes
- Coloring Sheets & More!
- Live Music
- Cowboy Bossa Nova 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Other opportunities from ARI:
We are also still looking for a few volunteers for this event from 2:00-6:00. Please email info@exploreari.org if interested.
We are hiring for a Director of Youth Programming position, starting at $44,000. Please apply through our website at https://exploreari.org/careers/
Science Harvest
Wednesday, November 18, 4:00-7:00pm. Northside Farmer’s Market, Hoffner Park, 4109 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati.
Science Harvest is a local science outreach initiative of the Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS). This program strives to share science with local communities through two-way conversations about science and hands-on science activities. Scientists bring bring hands-on activities and demonstrations to share with people of all ages to the Northside Farmer’s Market in Cincinnati monthly.
Upcycling Kitchen Toolkit Webinar
Tuesday, October 27, 1-2pm. Green Umbrella, ONLINE – register for free here.
Green Umbrella’s Food Policy Council and Hamilton County Public Health’s WeTHRIVE! initiative will be co-hosting a webinar to promote our newly published Upcycling Kitchen Toolkit! This webinar will briefly highlight the contents of this resource and provide insights into this work from organizations who operate upcycling kitchens.
You will get the opportunity to hear from:
- Katie Funk – Inspire and Innovation Director, La Soupe
- Amanda DeLotelle – Executive Director, Miami Valley Meals
- Georgine Getty – Executive Director, Our Daily Bread
Upcycling Kitchens play a key role in our food system. They transform surplus, imperfect, or by-product foods, such as cosmetically flawed produce, into nutritious meals. By bridging food rescue, local producers, and consumers, they cut landfill waste and methane emissions while creating jobs and expanding access to affordable, nutritious food for all.
Whether you want to learn more about upcycling diverted food or have an existing commercial space that could be used to help transformation efforts, this webinar will serve as a jumping off point!
In My Backyard: Film Screening & Discussion with Tonyisha Harris
Thursday, November 19, 6:30-9pm. Cincinnati World Cinema, 719 Race St, Cincinnati, OH.
Green Umbrella’s Food Policy Council and Hamilton County Public Health’s Join Green Umbrella for an evening of film, conversation, and climate solutions at Cincinnati World Cinema.
We’ll screen In My Backyard, a documentary series produced by our partners at The Nature Conservancy that highlights firsthand stories from people and communities most impacted by climate change, and the solutions they’re creating in response. The film offers a look at climate action happening on the ground, showcasing how communities are tackling local challenges and building a more resilient future.
The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7:00. Following the 70-minute screening, we’ll hear from Tonyisha Harris, Manager of Strategic Climate Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, for a conversation about community-driven climate solutions and what we can learn from communities leading this work.
Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and are limited. Cincinnati World Cinema has donated the theater space, and all proceeds will benefit Green Umbrella’s local climate initiatives.
Presented by Green Umbrella with support from Taft.
Civic Garden Center Events in November
Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH.
- Wednesday, November 4, 10am-12pm – volunteer judging for our high school Green Teens Challenge entries
- Thursday, November 5, 11am-12pm – CGC Compost Tour
- Fridays, November 6, 13, and 20, 9am-12pm – Hands On at Hauck education-based volunteer workdays (focusing on ecologically friendly leaf management and dividing/transplanting)
- Mondays, November 9 and 23, 10-11:30am – Lil’ Sprouts drop-in sessions for kids ages 3-8 and their caregivers
- Thursday, November 19, 10-11am – Green Learning Station Tour
- Thursday, November 19, 11am-12pm – Hauck Arboretum Tour
Get the Dirt! A Soil Health Science Fair
Saturday, November 14, Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH.
There’s a whole world beneath our feet—come discover it!
Healthy soil is actually so much more than dirt, so we hope you don’t fault us for being clever! It’s a living, breathing ecosystem teeming with organisms, big and small, all playing a part in sustaining life on our planet.
From our first cup of joe in the morning to the meals we share around our tables and the water that quenches our thirst, healthy soil is connected to so much of our everyday lives. Beneath forest floors, garden beds, farm fields, compost piles, and even our picnic blankets, an incredible world is hard at work, often without us ever noticing.
Alongside air and water, soil is one of our planet’s most essential natural resources. Yet, despite being all around us, it’s easy to take the ground beneath our feet for granted. What exactly is soil? How was it formed? What makes it healthy? And why does it matter so much?
Let’s dig a little deeper!
Join us at Gorman Heritage Farm as we celebrate Ohio Soil Health Week with a family-friendly Soil Health Science Fair! Through hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, creative activities, and conversations with local experts, curious minds of all ages are invited to explore the fascinating world beneath our feet.
Here’s a little of what you can discover:
- Get to know Ohio’s soils! Discover how the soils beneath our feet were formed, what makes them unique, and why different soils have different properties.
- Discover the virtues of clay soil! Calling all home gardeners! Learn why clay soil isn’t necessarily the gardening challenge you might think it is, and how to work with the soil you’ve got with Ohio Master Gardener’s Club.
- Turn food scraps into garden gold! Meet the hardworking organisms that transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Explore composting with Queen City Commons and learn how to get started at home, whether you have a backyard, a small patio, or limited space. Discover vermicomposting and other options!
- Become a soil detective! Learn about soil sampling, what soil tests can tell us, and how understanding your soil can help you grow healthier plants.
- Meet the creatures beneath our feet! Get acquainted with some of the animals that make their homes in the soil with DinoBuddies, and take a closer look at the tiny organisms that help keep it healthy.
- Follow the water! Join Mill Creek Alliance to explore the important relationship between healthy soil and clean water, and discover how what happens on land affects our local waterways.
- Explore soil health on the farm! Learn why caring for the soil is so important to farmers and discover some of the practices we use right here at Gorman Heritage Farm to protect and nurture the land that grows our food.
- Get creative and curious! Little explorers can settle in for story hour, paint with soil, and enjoy hands-on opportunities to investigate the colors, textures, and wonders of the earth.
Whether you’re an experienced home gardener looking to dig a little deeper, a curious beginner eager to learn, a family of nature lovers, or a kiddo who just loves to play in the dirt, there’s something for everyone!
Bring your curious minds, your explorers’ eyes, and maybe a little willingness to get your hands dirty. We can’t wait to dig in with you!
Get tickets here.
Dry Dredgers Program: What in the World Was Happening in the Late Ordovician of North-Central Kentucky?
Friday, November 20, 8-9:30pm, Braunstein Hall, Room 201, 2825 Campus Way, Cincinnati, OH.
Join the November meeting of the Dry Dredgers paleontology club for a presentation by longtime Dry Dredgers member Dan Zimmerman, who will recount 20 years of collecting Late Ordovician (~455 – 445 million year old) fossils in north-central Kentucky. He will showcase the wide variety of fauna he has found, including some strange adaptations and unusual faunal mingling. A major focus of the talk will be the large local brachiopod Platystrophia, which has many variable species. He will also feature encrusting epifauna, edrioasteroids (a type of encrusting echinoderm), and other fossils from the region.
Guests and visitors welcome!
