RESOURCES

How much trust can we place in the information we encounter daily? Some claim AI will usher in a new era of innovation and knowledge, while others warn it’s already helping spread misinformation faster than we can keep up. With deep fakes, biased algorithms, and data manipulation becoming more sophisticated and realistic, the line between truth and fiction is blurring. Will AI empower us to make smarter, more informed decisions, or will it become a tool that distorts reality and undermines democracy? Join us to explore the risks and rewards of AI in shaping our understanding of the world and learn how to spot AI-generated photos!

Do you feel comfortable with a Fitbit having access to your sleep schedules? With a computer using AI to interpret your mammogram or CT scan? Or deciding whether your biopsy contains cancer? As AI in healthcare becomes applied to a broader span of applications, a variety of questions arise regarding the ethical implications of incorporating deep learning models into healthcare. How do we properly balance the benefits of AI with transparency and patient privacy? How do we limit the incorporation of biases into AI models? Who is accountable when AI makes a mistake? We voiced our opinions on all of these questions as we explored the future and implications of a rapidly evolving medical landscape.

They’re in everything from alarm clocks to satellites and even cars. Batteries: our way of capturing and harnessing energy, affording us convenience and mobility. However, their widespread use also comes with significant challenges. The production, disposal, and the toxic metals—such as lithium and lead—that are found in batteries pose hazards to public health and the environment. As the demand for energy steadily increases, will our battery-related issues worsen? Could emerging technologies transform the way we make and use this vital technology? Come to learn and share your thoughts!

Bullet trains. Air conditioning. Wind turbines. All brilliant inventions - but can we truly take all the credit for these advancements? Biomimicry, the act of applying nature-inspired designs to solve human problems, has been the catalyst for some of our most monumental achievements; kingfisher bird beaks gave rise to the speed and noiselessness of bullet trains, termite mounds kindled the design of environmentally-friendly building ventilation, and humpback whale fins brought about wind turbines with reduced drag and doubled performance. When the observation of nature stands to teach us so much about medicine, engineering, and materials science, it begs the question; if we are biologically animals, why do we refuse to see ourselves as such?

The recent pandemic fundamentally altered the world we live in, prompting the sudden appearance of new laws, social distancing, and even transforming daily life. But while we were all quarantined at home, what was going on behind the scenes? How did the race to find a vaccination instigate controversy? Who was deciding who “deserves” scarce resources, and how? And, perhaps most importantly, did they make the right choices?

Dream of a future in which physical traits are customizable, illness is ‘curable,’ and the biosphere is strengthened against climatic changes. With CRISPR-Cas9, this future may not be as distant as you imagine.

Imagine if Google could compose college-level essays. Speak and analyze every language. Pass the US Medical Licensing Exam. Enter ChatGPT. This chatbot released in early 2023 already has over 100 million users taking advantage of its astounding capabilities. But as the technology threatens to create malicious software, spread misinformation, and render certain occupations obsolete, do its dangers outweigh its revolutionary capabilities? Together we will explore both the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT and discuss the implications of rapidly developing artificial intelligence.

Can you imagine storing the entirety of the world's data in the trunk of a car? It turns out that nature has already provided us with what may be the best way to store huge amounts of information (spoiler: DNA!). We learned about this amazing possibility from Dr. Tracy Kambara, Head of Molecular Biology at Catalog, a Cambridge-based biotechnology company.

Why do we so desperately grasp at the hope that there is life beyond Earth? Maybe it’s the fear of oblivion after destroying our home planet. Maybe it’s the fundamental desire to confirm our superiority. Maybe it’s simply human curiosity. Regardless of the reason we keep our eyes tilted towards the stars, our observations bring us back to one unanswerable question: where is everybody?

The study of DNA is the foundation for scientific fields ranging from pathology to genealogy to immunology. But have you ever wondered how scientists extract DNA from an organism? Or what this DNA looks like when removed from cells? Together, we placed ourselves in the shoes of laboratory scientists as we performed a DNA isolation lab; we swabbed our cheeks, isolated DNA from the samples, and visualized the strands of our own genetic information!

How much time do we have left to reverse climate change? Some say nine years, some say seven, and others say we've already passed the point of no return. Just as controversial is the topic of nuclear energy, an energy source which emits no greenhouse gas emissions, yet may pose radiotoxic risk to public health. Will nuclear energy be the technology that revolutionizes clean energy or that diverts funds from more promising renewable sources such as solar or wind power?

True local story: Brigham and Women’s Hospital decides to take a young man off of the cardiac transplant list, with ensuing protests. We found out why BWH made this controversial decision and lent our ideas on ways to address the tragic shortage of organs.

Rodenticides are commonly used poisons meant to control rat and mouse populations, but they come with dangerous side effects. While they may keep rodents away from homes and schools, these chemicals can cause serious harm to pets, wildlife, and even the environment. This project explores what rodenticides are, how they work, and what safer, science-backed alternatives exist. With special attention to Massachusetts and our own community of Weston, we’ll look at how local policies are changing and why they matter.

Is synthetic food the solution to ethical eating, or just another processed alternative with hidden trade-offs? Some believe that lab-grown and plant-based meats can reduce animal suffering and help fight climate change. Others worry that these foods are overly processed, expensive, and not as natural or sustainable as they claim to be. As companies push to bring cultivated meat to market, concerns about health effects, regulation, and corporate control continue to grow. Will synthetic foods truly reshape the way we eat for the better, or are they just another industry-driven trend? Join us as we dive into the ethical questions surrounding synthetic food and what it means for the future of our diets!