A big cat makes a big scat. Mountain lions weigh up to 220 pounds, and their poop or scat can be 15 inches in length. Mountain lion scat is a communication tool, and scientists study it to learn about the health and behavior of Arizona’s big cats.
On July 21, the Arizona Chief Science Officer program began its summer Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at the University of Advancing Technology. CSOs are 6th–12th grade student ambassadors for STEM who focus on raising awareness for STEM in their community and school. It was started in Arizona eight years ago as an idea to get kids at the table with adults who were having conversations about STEM. The program has grown to multiple states across the nation and even to other countries including Mexico, Kenya and Kuwait.
Did you know that some of your favorite things came about by accident? A special kind of spring in a battleship engine became the Slinky. Play-Doh, created to clean wallpaper, evolved into a toy. Another famous but accidental invention is the popsicle!
Recently I attended a Bear Essential News Zoom meeting and met Sarah Murphy who is currently one of the managers of the Tucson Comic-Con. Murphy talked about how she was really excited about Tucson Comic-Con coming back after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic.
After being the first person to run from Disneyland to Disney World last year, Don Muchow recently participated in the College of the Florida Keys’ Swim Around Key West.
Muchow, 60, ran the marathon to raise awareness for Type 1 diabetes and did the same with the Key West swim. He is not the first person with Type 1 diabetes to compete in the swim—his friend and swim mentor, Karen, has completed a solo 12.5- mile swim around Key West. Karen also has Type 1 diabetes.
