John S. Mead
@evoexplorer.bsky.social
35 year Biology Teacher and Evolution educator.
Passionate about science literacy, human origins, video microscopy, and nature photography
Aspiring science author
Texas OBTA, NABT Evo Ed Awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/@jsmead
Passionate about science literacy, human origins, video microscopy, and nature photography
Aspiring science author
Texas OBTA, NABT Evo Ed Awardee.
https://www.youtube.com/@jsmead
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Never seen the death of a ciliate like this-- usually it's too much pressure from the coverslip or too much osmotic pressure. But this gradual posterior-to-anterior "unzipping" effect amazed me !
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Motic BA310e - 40x Objective - sped up 2X
#microscopy #Paramecium #Iteachbiology #edusky
Had a blast last week at the @nabtbio.bsky.social national conference & got to present to several dozen Bio teachers about the #Microsafaris you have seen here over time. Even did a live demo & captured this elegant Stentor showing off for those awesome teachers! #iteachbiology #microscopy #Edusky
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Had a blast last week at the @nabtbio.bsky.social national conference & got to present to several dozen Bio teachers about the #Microsafaris you have seen here over time. Even did a live demo & captured this elegant Stentor showing off for those awesome teachers! #iteachbiology #microscopy #Edusky
Excited to head to St. Louis & the @nabtbio.bsky.social Conference tomorrow & get to see many old friends and make new ones! Also excited to present (for the first time!) my MICROSAFARI project on Saturday at 9:00. I hope to see some of you there! #NABT #NABT2025 #NABTStLouis #iteachbiology #edsky
October 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Excited to head to St. Louis & the @nabtbio.bsky.social Conference tomorrow & get to see many old friends and make new ones! Also excited to present (for the first time!) my MICROSAFARI project on Saturday at 9:00. I hope to see some of you there! #NABT #NABT2025 #NABTStLouis #iteachbiology #edsky
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
September 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
From a desktop "mini pond" I maintain just for kicks --- Love the internal detail of the Aeolosoma as it wanders around. Also notice some blue microplastic and a stentor.
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
Motic BA310e 10X objective via LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15
#microscope #microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #Iteachbiology
From a Texas pond - I love seeing Urocentrum turbo doing its thing here. Amazed they have enough energy to keep on spinning without obviously feeding like other species of ciliates. ENJOY!
Motic BA310e - 4X Objective with Labcam Ultra / iPhone Pro 15
#microscope #iteachbiology #edusky #biology
Motic BA310e - 4X Objective with Labcam Ultra / iPhone Pro 15
#microscope #iteachbiology #edusky #biology
September 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
From a Texas pond - I love seeing Urocentrum turbo doing its thing here. Amazed they have enough energy to keep on spinning without obviously feeding like other species of ciliates. ENJOY!
Motic BA310e - 4X Objective with Labcam Ultra / iPhone Pro 15
#microscope #iteachbiology #edusky #biology
Motic BA310e - 4X Objective with Labcam Ultra / iPhone Pro 15
#microscope #iteachbiology #edusky #biology
It's always nice when you see a nauplius that isn't hell-bent on zooming everywhere. LOL
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
August 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It's always nice when you see a nauplius that isn't hell-bent on zooming everywhere. LOL
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
*For my non-bio friends, a nauplius is a larval form of a crustacean. I suspect this one belongs to the genus Cyclops - a copepod.
#microscopy #nature #biology #edusky #iteachbiology #science
From a local park pond, a nice cluster of Vorticella - I am always puzzled by how they manage to feed when it seems they are constantly retracting in response to stimuli.
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
August 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
From a local park pond, a nice cluster of Vorticella - I am always puzzled by how they manage to feed when it seems they are constantly retracting in response to stimuli.
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Motic BA 310e - 4X objective - LabCam Ultra & iPhone 15 pro
#edusky #microscopy #Biology #nature #microcosmos
Just saw this recently deceased copepod with a hefty load of peritrich epibionts (I think Vorticella). Excited to see the egg sac with eggs that already have eyes developing. It's my first time observing this!
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
August 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Just saw this recently deceased copepod with a hefty load of peritrich epibionts (I think Vorticella). Excited to see the egg sac with eggs that already have eyes developing. It's my first time observing this!
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
#microscope #edusky #nature #biology #iteachbiology #science
Yesterday I collected some samples from a local Texas pond and was happy to see a bunch of Nauptili. I thought y'all might appreciate this video of one of them -- apologies for a messy condenser --- that gets cleaned this weekend!
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
August 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Yesterday I collected some samples from a local Texas pond and was happy to see a bunch of Nauptili. I thought y'all might appreciate this video of one of them -- apologies for a messy condenser --- that gets cleaned this weekend!
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
#microscope #Iteachbiology #edusky #nature #microscopy #Science
I am working to develop thought exercises for my students that cannot be solved by a simple Google or Chat GPT query.
I'll show them this short video & challenge them to figure out what I have filmed here.
Do any of you know what I have filmed?
#iteachbiology #educhat #ai #scied #edsky
I'll show them this short video & challenge them to figure out what I have filmed here.
Do any of you know what I have filmed?
#iteachbiology #educhat #ai #scied #edsky
August 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I am working to develop thought exercises for my students that cannot be solved by a simple Google or Chat GPT query.
I'll show them this short video & challenge them to figure out what I have filmed here.
Do any of you know what I have filmed?
#iteachbiology #educhat #ai #scied #edsky
I'll show them this short video & challenge them to figure out what I have filmed here.
Do any of you know what I have filmed?
#iteachbiology #educhat #ai #scied #edsky
A FANTASTIC day of Glacier viewing yesterday!!! Early morning cruise up the Endicott Arm and a beautiful, moody view of the Dawes Glacier... later on outside of Juneau, we had a nice peek at the Mendenhall Glacier.
July 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A FANTASTIC day of Glacier viewing yesterday!!! Early morning cruise up the Endicott Arm and a beautiful, moody view of the Dawes Glacier... later on outside of Juneau, we had a nice peek at the Mendenhall Glacier.
It's been a wonderful couple days.... had a blast at Theater Under the Stars in Stanley Park last night!
July 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
It's been a wonderful couple days.... had a blast at Theater Under the Stars in Stanley Park last night!
Prepping for my next adventure - Renting a 200-800mm lens. It allowed me to capture candid shots of this cute squirrel at a local park. Love the reach of the big ole' lens!
#Nature
#Photography
#squirrel
#Iteachbiology
#Canon
#Nature
#Photography
#squirrel
#Iteachbiology
#Canon
July 12, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Prepping for my next adventure - Renting a 200-800mm lens. It allowed me to capture candid shots of this cute squirrel at a local park. Love the reach of the big ole' lens!
#Nature
#Photography
#squirrel
#Iteachbiology
#Canon
#Nature
#Photography
#squirrel
#Iteachbiology
#Canon
Robyn & I are savoring our last days here in Pawleys Island, SC. While sad to be leaving this special place, I am excited that I'll be able to share some special & exciting news on Monday. So watch this space! 😁
June 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Robyn & I are savoring our last days here in Pawleys Island, SC. While sad to be leaving this special place, I am excited that I'll be able to share some special & exciting news on Monday. So watch this space! 😁
Indeed! That's a must visit location... though this summer it's choked with algae.... saw his 7+ footer yesterday off Straight Rd. Between the ponds.
June 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Indeed! That's a must visit location... though this summer it's choked with algae.... saw his 7+ footer yesterday off Straight Rd. Between the ponds.
Alas, we drove in from the west (Texas) -- and we LOVE HBSP -- here are a few shots from there yesterday!
June 23, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Alas, we drove in from the west (Texas) -- and we LOVE HBSP -- here are a few shots from there yesterday!
Today, as @yarngodess13.bsky.social and I wandered around one of our favorite places, Brookgreen Gardens, I came to realize that we are not the strong, brave, and powerful people of a century ago - No, not at all - after all, no one these days wrestles alligators naked! 🤣🤣
June 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Today, as @yarngodess13.bsky.social and I wandered around one of our favorite places, Brookgreen Gardens, I came to realize that we are not the strong, brave, and powerful people of a century ago - No, not at all - after all, no one these days wrestles alligators naked! 🤣🤣
Had a fun afternoon visit to a gem of a state park here near Pawleys Island, SC --- If you ever get to visit this part of the Atlantic coast, you HAVE to visit Huntington Beach State Park! These images were all taken during a short 45-minute visit! #Naturephotography #wildlife #birds
June 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Had a fun afternoon visit to a gem of a state park here near Pawleys Island, SC --- If you ever get to visit this part of the Atlantic coast, you HAVE to visit Huntington Beach State Park! These images were all taken during a short 45-minute visit! #Naturephotography #wildlife #birds
Loved getting to photograph these Laughing Gulls yesterday off the coast of Southport, North Carolina.
#bird
#coastal
#birdwatching
#Iteachbiology
#edusky
#Northcarolina
#bird
#coastal
#birdwatching
#Iteachbiology
#edusky
#Northcarolina
June 18, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Loved getting to photograph these Laughing Gulls yesterday off the coast of Southport, North Carolina.
#bird
#coastal
#birdwatching
#Iteachbiology
#edusky
#Northcarolina
#bird
#coastal
#birdwatching
#Iteachbiology
#edusky
#Northcarolina
A wonderful exploration of the Southeastern corner of the North Carolina coast yesterday including a roundtrip ferry ride to Fort Fisher. The gulls gave me a chance to enjoy some action photography. A final Stop at the Fishy Fishy restaurant planted the seed of visiting the town of "Meadville, PA"
June 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A wonderful exploration of the Southeastern corner of the North Carolina coast yesterday including a roundtrip ferry ride to Fort Fisher. The gulls gave me a chance to enjoy some action photography. A final Stop at the Fishy Fishy restaurant planted the seed of visiting the town of "Meadville, PA"
This teacher has just started Summer break, and I'm in my "Happy Place" of Pawley's Island, SC, for a few weeks of R & R, which includes beachcombing & photography. Yesterday had a GREAT interaction with a Great Blue Heron on the beach --- ENJOY!
#Naturephotography
#birds
#beach
#SouthCarolina
#Naturephotography
#birds
#beach
#SouthCarolina
June 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This teacher has just started Summer break, and I'm in my "Happy Place" of Pawley's Island, SC, for a few weeks of R & R, which includes beachcombing & photography. Yesterday had a GREAT interaction with a Great Blue Heron on the beach --- ENJOY!
#Naturephotography
#birds
#beach
#SouthCarolina
#Naturephotography
#birds
#beach
#SouthCarolina
Last day of classes with my 6th graders!!!
Here's my collection of 3D printed goodies I'm raffling off to my kiddos at the end of the day.
Which one would you hope to win?
#edusky #Iteachbiology #3DPrinting #Science #Scicomm
Here's my collection of 3D printed goodies I'm raffling off to my kiddos at the end of the day.
Which one would you hope to win?
#edusky #Iteachbiology #3DPrinting #Science #Scicomm
May 27, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Last day of classes with my 6th graders!!!
Here's my collection of 3D printed goodies I'm raffling off to my kiddos at the end of the day.
Which one would you hope to win?
#edusky #Iteachbiology #3DPrinting #Science #Scicomm
Here's my collection of 3D printed goodies I'm raffling off to my kiddos at the end of the day.
Which one would you hope to win?
#edusky #Iteachbiology #3DPrinting #Science #Scicomm
I do think Prince Fiyero is telling us he's become a vegetarian 🤣🤣🤣
May 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I do think Prince Fiyero is telling us he's become a vegetarian 🤣🤣🤣
It's fun to let students in their free time create "Mix slides" from different pond samples & then see what appears.... this "mix" has at least 4 species. Aeolosoma, Paramecium, Rotifers, and Stentor
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
May 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It's fun to let students in their free time create "Mix slides" from different pond samples & then see what appears.... this "mix" has at least 4 species. Aeolosoma, Paramecium, Rotifers, and Stentor
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky
Can you spot any species I missed?
#microscope #naturephotography #biology #iteachbiology #edusky