Lunchtime Discovery: Why Silly Science Matters

  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Downtown Raleigh

The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog and other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science

headshot of Carly Anne York next to an image of a book cover for The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog

Join biologist and author Dr. Carly Anne York for an exploration of the wonderfully weird world of scientific discovery. Based on her new book The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog, we’ll dive into real research studies that might sound absurd—elephant urination, worm blobs, glowing jellyfish—but have led to serious breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, and technology. Dr. York will reveal how curiosity-driven science, often dismissed as frivolous, is essential for innovation. From whale-inspired wind turbines to cockroach robots, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for the wonderful and weird twists of scientific progress.

Watch the livestream on YouTube Live


Live Presentation hosted by NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ SECU Daily Planet Curator Chris Smith and the NC Department of Environmental Quality Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs staff. Brought to you by the NC DEQ Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Details

Date:
September 17
Times:
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Venue

Nature Research Center
121 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601 United States
Phone:
919.707.9800

Organizer

Chris Smith
919.707.9296