Science Mom
thesciencemom.bsky.social
Science Mom
@thesciencemom.bsky.social
Live in SE Alaska
Science educator
Naturalist
Also known as Jenny Ballif
Pinned
My first time on the front page of a newspaper was after a 10-hour shift firefighting. I was so dirty, my own mom didn’t recognize me.

When I called her the next day she exclaimed, “That was YOU?!?”

A story about the federal firings. 1/
Reposted by Science Mom
Take a journey through time down a new NSF COLDEX ice core borehole just completed by the team in #Antarctica!

If you’re at #AGU25 stop by the COLDEX booth in the Exhibit Hall to talk to COLDEX team members from across the 15-institution center funded by NSF! @agu.org Follow us on IG @ coldex_stc
December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
Our Click to Call is set up! Let's get these phones ringing off the hook with voters demanding that our representatives take a stand, and give Bobby the Boot! There is not a moment too soon to #impeachrfkjr

standupforscience.net/impeac...
December 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Experimenting with jam recipes from berries we picked this summer. Salal with Alaska blueberry is AMAZING 😋

I did a 1:1 ratio of blueberries to salal but didn’t measure how much sugar pectin etc. Hopeful I can duplicate the results because this jar isn’t going to last long.
December 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
Their closing message to Indiana: change your maps to artificially benefit the President's political party or 'roads will not be paved' as punishment.

They are openly saying this.

Who would want to live in a country that works like that?
December 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Loved watching the clouds today. @brunota2003.bsky.social any insight in how/why the upper and lower clouds layers seem to be moving in opposite directions?
December 12, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Reposted by Science Mom
MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?

NOEM: We haven't deported veterans

MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
December 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
😳 foreign tourism to the US has already dropped significantly. This isn’t going to help it recover.
This is INSANE www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/t...

and these are our closest allies!
December 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
imagine investing in public media and ensuring that media literacy (and spotting unreliable narrators) was integral in primary school education
December 7, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Rosy oysterlings and late oysters are out in abundance right now, and they’re both so beautiful. #AlaskaSky
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This is so wrong ☹️
This man ripped off teachers, nurses, small business owners - people from all walks of life and professions. Some lost their life savings. Not only did Trump let him out of prison, he also doesn’t have to pay back the victims.
December 4, 2025 at 6:54 AM
May I present the perfect way to start one’s day:
December 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The swans are back for the winter at Ward Lake!

Today while I was walking, there was a spontaneous gathering of people watching them. Everyone whispered and moved slowly while sharing in the joy.

It was a lovely moment. #AlaskaSky
November 29, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Happy Thanksgiving! We picked cranberries this morning and enjoyed a beautiful walk.

Today I’m thankful for nature, family, friends, and the beauty of the Tongass. #AlaskaSky
November 27, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
"One constituent, a retired marketing executive named Susan, told him that she’s currently paying about $600 a month with ACA tax credits. Next year, that will jump to $2,120, a 250 percent increase." prospect.org/2025/11/21/a...
Panic Tears Through U.S. as Health Insurance Costs Spike - The American Prospect
The end of expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act exchanges means more people will go without health insurance.
prospect.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Adorable! 😍
Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door.

This is who it was:
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 AM
blue sky over muskeg and late oyster mushrooms growing from alder. sights from Sunday morning botany club yesterday. #AlaskaSky
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
Check out this crazy mosaic image of the auroral oval from space on the night of Nov 11-12!

You an can see just how extended the oval was due to the impressive solar storm that impacted and delivered a G4 (Kp 9-) geomagnetic storm - the third strongest of solar cycle 25!
November 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Bit tricky to see due to clouds, but we caught a few glimpses of the aurora tonight! 🥰
November 12, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Enough hail this morning in Ketchikan to pile up and leave little white drifts here and there. Not quite the same as getting snow, but still pretty.
November 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Had a big tidal swing in #ketchikan this week with a 19.47 ft high tide and -4 low. #AlaskaSky
November 8, 2025 at 5:42 AM
To any other self-employed folks who had health insurance thru the state marketplace, WHAT DO WE DO? 🥺😭

The cheapest option for our family of 5 is $2,854 a month with a $15,000 deductible! #AlaskaSky #ACAtaxcredit
November 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
Kristi Noem is telling bald-faced lies about ICE arrests.

More than 70% of those detained have no criminal convictions.

170+ of those arrested or detained have been American citizens.
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Science Mom
Hurricanes feed off of warm water. Watch how quickly the eye of #Melissa collapsed as it moved onto land and over the mountainous terrain of Jamaica, and how quickly it is reforming now that it has moved back over water! I will be adding this radar loop to my earth science lectures.
October 29, 2025 at 1:20 AM
First snow of the season in Ketchikan! @alaskawx.bsky.social I’m guessing the snowline is between 2,000-2,500 ft

Pretty high up and not a lot, but I’m still happy to see it. 🥰
October 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM