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Geological Lecture Hall

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24 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 United States Get Directions
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Sea Monsters on Maps: Myth, Mystery, and Marine Life

Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, United States

For centuries, sea monsters have adorned maps, serving as both warnings and wonders of the unknown ocean. These artistic depictions reflected early attempts to understand the deep, blending legend with reality. From krakens to serpents, cartographers illustrated creatures based on sailors’ tales, inspiring fear, and curiosity. Over time, these mythical beasts influenced marine biology, shaping early studies of unknown species. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of sea monsters on maps and their role in unraveling the mysteries of the ocean.

India: An Amphibian Hotspot

Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, United States

In this talk, S. D. Biju will discuss his thirty years of research on the frogs of India and Asia and highlight the key role that scientists play in the conservation of species. After the lecture, visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History to see an exhibit of S. D. Biju’s frog photographs, and join ArtsThursdays—a free event featuring art-making activities and a cash bar.

Film Screening: The Last Human

Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, United States

Our most basic understanding of the origins of life was recently turned upside down when Greenlandic scientist Minik Rosing discovered the first traces of life on Earth in a small fjord near Isua, Greenland. His discovery predated all previous evidence by over 300 million years. Life began in Greenland. At the same time, its melting ice masses are disintegrating day-by-day, and scientists around the world agree that it could drown our entire civilization if it continues.

Director Ivalo Frank’s new film is a tribute to a vast, scenic country caught between two extremes: the beginning and the end of life on Earth as we know it. Frank’s film is anchored by an encounter with a group of children from the village of Kangaatsiaq who fall in love, form friendships, and struggle with loss and longing.

A Q&A with filmmaker Ivalo Frank and Sussi Adelholm, Head of School in Kangaatsiaq, Greenland, will follow the screening.

Protecting the World’s Penguins

Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, United States

Join Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, the 2023 Indianapolis Prize Winner for animal conservation, as he recounts his lifelong journey to save penguins. Dr. Borboroglu will highlight the challenges of conservation work, from protecting 32 million acres of ocean and coastal habitat to cofounding the Global Penguin Society, an international conservation coalition for the world’s penguin species. Hear about the risks and rewards he has experienced while trying to save penguins in some of nature’s wildest places.