Ecogeeks : Science Video Podcast

Behind the Scenes: Cameraflying: How to shoot skydiving videos!

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:11:05 -0500

Ever wondered how they shoot skydiving videos? Skydivers call these people camera flyers. For one of our future episodes explaining the science of gravity we decided we should pick up skydiving and in the meantime we thought we'd show you what it takes to fly with a camera!

For a better description of camera flying and becoming a skydiving cameraman visit our site:

How to make skydiving videos

or visit

http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/advancedfilmmaking/skydivingvideoandCameraFlying.html

Behind the Scenes: Building a Cable Dolly / Cable Cam

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:05:50 -0500

Ever wonder how they get those steady moving shots through the forest? Here is a low-tech cable dolly that we've made to get some dynamic shots on some of our productions. For more detailed drawings and descriptions go to:

http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/cabledolly.html

Cable Dolly built by Ed Watkins and Hazen Audel

Ecogeeks: NSTA Meeting Boston

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:04:14 -0500

We were at this year's NSTA meeting in Boston and we wanted to ask science teachers one important question: "What inspires you to teach science?"

For more info go to http://www.untamedscience.com

Ecogeeks: Ecofact 2 - Global Warming and Melting Sea Ice

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:52:21 -0600

It is true! Global Warming is causing sea ice to melt in the polar regions of planet earth. But, have you ever seen the actual images? Rob and Jonas bring you this short EcoFact on a recent trip to Svalbard.

For more info go to http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/icecaps.html

Ecogeeks: Ecofact 1 - The Fungi

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:52:25 -0600

The Kingdom Fungia represents one of our least understood taxa. They are all around us, yet we rarely see them. In fact, the only time we see them is when they send up their fruiting bodies. Imagine only seeing a plant if it was in flower!

Ecogeeks Question #3: Halloween special ... Pumpkins and the Cucurbitaceae

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:27:49 -0500

The Cucurbitaceae family is also known as the pumpkin family, squash family or gourd family. There are around 825 species in almost 120 genera. This video talks specifically about the pumpkins and squash that are grouped in the genus Cucurbita.

Ecogeeks: We're Finalists ... an update

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:42:57 -0500

The Ecogeeks at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival! This year we were officially selected as finalists in the New Media category. The festival is the top wildlife filmmaking festival of the year and we feel extremely honored to have been chosen this time around. We are also extremely grateful to everyone who has subscribed to our podcasts. Big things are happening with us and because of that we'll be able to expand and provide more great content to everyone who has told us they want more.

As always, log on to www.thewildclassroom.com, and never stop exploring!

Ecogeeks: Special Crew Bio #3 Jonas Stenstrom

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:24:28 -0500

Jonas has been with us since the beginning ... since that first trip to Mexico. Actually almost 10 years ago, it was Jonas and Rob, who in Australia studying Marine Biology, dreamed of traveling the world. This dream finally materialized into what we now call The Wild Classroom.

Ecogeeks Special: Biodiversity of Mexico

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:09:39 -0500

It seems like so long ago now that we had our first real filmmaking expedition. When we filmed this documentary in 2003, most of the crew had never actually met, but we had something big planned. This is the preview to our first video ever! We make no excuses for our cheesy graphics or our lack of decent podcasting clothes. What can we say, it was the start of a great journey for us all.

Ecogeeks #8: Z is for Zebra: Extinction in Black and White

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:41:40 -0500

Did you know there are 4 species of zebra? Did you know that more than one species is endangered? Join Ecogeek Rich Blundell as he travels to Kenya on assignment to help unravel the mystery of the declining Grevy's Zebra population.

Check out more free eco-themed videos at TheWildClassroom.com or simply read more about Grevy Zebras and how this story unraveled.

Ecogeeks: #7 Coastal Temperate Oceans

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:46:17 -0500

The Ecogeeks bring you another lighthearted biology video. This time they're in Sweden visiting crew member, and marine biologist Jonas Stenstrom. They've also managed to convince Stephanie Schneider to come along as they all hunt for something different in the ocean.

Check out more free eco-themed videos at TheWildClassroom.com or simply read more about Temperate Coastal Oceans.

Ecogeeks: Special - Barro Colorado Island

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:46:32 -0500

This spring the ecogeeks crew have been doing research and filming the plants and animals on Barro Colorado Island. We wanted to share this place with you and explain why it is so unique. This video is available in spanish too through our website TheWildClassroom.com

Ecogeeks: Special Crew Bio #2 Hazen Audel

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:46:43 -0500

Hazen Audel is the cofounder of TheWildClassroom.com with Rob Nelson. In many ways, Hazen is the epitome of being young at heart. When the crew travels to film our podcasts you can be assured that Hazen is probably missing from the shoot - off finding a critter to bring back and talk about. Its his boyish enthusiasm that we love the most.

Ecogeeks: #6 Rainforests

Sun, 06 May 2007 22:52:06 -0500

Grab your flipflops, your blue suitcase, your portable drill and come with us as we travel to the rainforests. Join Ecogeeks, Rob Nelson, Hazen Audel and Suzi Serengeti as they explore the rainforests of Panama and explain what charactorizes this biome.

Ecogeeks Special: Derby Day ... with Toads

Tue, 01 May 2007 08:04:50 -0500

See the humorous festivities as a bunch of researchers similate the Kentucky Derby with a bunch of Cane Toads. Who said you cann't have fun doing science? On Barro Colorado Island, within one of the most studied tropical islands in the world, we proved that most scientists are really just young at heart - especially when their once a year derby day event roles around. As always, for more information visit TheWildClassroom.com

Ecogeeks Special: Rap Video - Rainforest Preview

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:26:39 -0500

Our very own Crazy Hazen gives you a preview to the next podcast with a funny rap about his blue suitcase. You don't need all the gear to explore the forests (or your own backyard for that matter). All you need is a pair of flip-flops and a sexy blue suitcase We’re in the rainforests of Panama right now and we’ve got a lot in store for our next episode. But, until next time, remember, “Never Stop Exploring”.

Ecogeeks Announcement: Who are we again

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:37:46 -0600

Who are the Ecogeeks? While we're going to introduce each of us one at a time throughout our podcasts, we thought we'd give you a short, quick reminder of our ties to one another. There are four of us that work on most episodes (Rob, Hazen, Jonas, and Suz). A large group of other biologists, and filmmakers act as field reporters and hosts for other episodes. Find out more by going to www.thewildclassroom.com/crew/

Ecogeeks: #5 Biodiversity

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:56:26 -0600

Biodiversity is all around us! In this video we introduce you to the concept of biodiversity. It is more than just the total number of species, however. It describes diversity at all levels from genetic diversity to ecosystem diversity. Yet we are loosing biodiversity. We pose the question, "What can each of us do to help save what is left?"

Ecogeeks Species Profile: #2 Tailless Whip Scorpions

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 15:40:43 -0600

In this EcoGeeks episode we followed researcher Eben Gering's work on Tailless Whip Scorpions (also known as Amblypigids). We wanted to learn more about this tropical species that is commonly misunderstood. We weren't sure if it was a dangerous animal or not until we found an expert and did some of our own research.

Ecogeeks Announcement: A new season from Panama

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 00:13:01 -0600

This is a brief announcement to let you know that we have not stopped podcasting, but have only been in the process of moving our operations to the Republic of Panama. A great deal of research is conducted each year from Barro Colorado Island, a rainforest research station run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute. It is from this island and the surrounding forests that we will be podcasting from over the next 6 months. Please stay tuned as we prepare to release new episodes every week or two about interesting science concepts from the Ecogeeks new tropical home.

Ecogeeks Email Question: #2 Oahu Tree Snails

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:19:06 -0600

This is the second part to our Hawaiian Island email question: In this episode we look at the endangered Oahu Tree Snails. This group of snails is found nowhere else in the world but on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian islands. These snails are really unique. They give birth to live young, but only after they are 6 or 7 years old. Find out more and watch the video.

Ecogeeks Email Question: #1 Hawaii Part 1

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:17:55 -0600

This is the first of our email questions: "How did plants and animals make it to the Hawaiian Islands." Hawaii is nearly 2,400 miles from the closest land mass and that means it would be very difficult for any critter to get here. Three ways animals could have made it here however, are from the Wind, in the Waves (rafting), and via the Birds (Wing). Its the three W's. But, how come most animals in Hawaii are not found anywhere else if they came across the ocean from somewhere else? Thats next weeks question

Ecogeeks Species Profile: #1 Alligator Snapping Turtle

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:32:35 -0600

The alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America. They can grow to 250 pounds and nearly 3 feet in length. They live a long time too. They believe these turtles can live for 100 years!

Ecogeeks: #4 Streams and Rivers

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 17:26:07 -0600

Streams and Rivers flow through every major inhabited continent in the world. Do you know about the river near you? If not, join us as we explore the Smith River in Montana!

Ecogeeks: Special Crew Bio #1 Rob Nelson

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 02:21:55 -0600

This is a special episode for Ecogeeks. We thought it is important that you know who is behind these science documentary shorts. We have a young diverse crew from all over the world. In this episode producer Rob Nelson explains about his background as a marine biologist, dive-master, tour guide and how a near tragic boat accident helped lead him to become a wildlife filmmaker.

Ecogeeks: #3 Alpine Tundra

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:05:02 -0600

High above our civilized world are lands unfamiliar to most. The alpine tundra is a land devoid of trees where only hardy plants adapted to the cold, intense sunlight, and short growing season can survive. In this video we sent Jonas to Hawaii, Joseph to Alaska and Mexico, and Rob and Suzi to the alpine slopes of Colorado.

Ecogeeks: #2 Grasslands and Prairies

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:03:01 -0600

EcoGeeks has decided to start off the podcast series with several short videos on the biomes of the world. The first is about temperate grasslands and was filmed in the tall grass prairies of northern Minnesota. We feel it is important for students to get a good understanding of what a biome is, what it looks like, and what factors combine to make this zone unique.

Ecogeeks: #1 World's Deadliest Snakes

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 09:53:37 -0600

What is the world's deadliest snake? Ecogeeks first video examines the myths and rumors that have been aired in other nature documentaries.