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John S. Mead

@evoexplorer.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1.5K following 416 posts

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. www.youtube.com/@jsmead

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Happy to share this latest review of our book, "Reading The Bones," from Center for Children's Books! Excited that the publication date is now less than a month away! @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social #homonaledi #middlegrades #nonfiction us.macmillan.com/.../97803743...
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Macmillan Children's School & Library Marketing @mackidssl.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Curious about anthropology? READING THE BONES 💀🦴by Marc Aronson and @evoexplorer.bsky.social is on sale now! This High-stakes adventure that recounts the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi has three starred reviews! 🌟🌟🌟 tinyurl.com/36tjcyw7 #newbook #edusky #Kidlit #booksky
A green background with bbrownish yellow, decaying bones along the top and right edges. The remaining space is occupied by the title: READING THE BONES in a red to yellow ombre and a space drop shadow.
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Macmillan Children's School & Library Marketing @mackidssl.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Adventure meets cutting-edge anthropology in READING THE BONES 💀 by Marc Aronson and @evoexplorer.bsky.social. This true account of the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi has received THREE starred reviews. READING THE BONES is available on 8/4! tinyurl.com/36tjcyw7 #kidlit #newbook
A graphic with a black and white composition notebook background. There is a purple banner on the left with three white stars on it. In the middle, there are the following review quotes: 

"[An] enticing invitation to witness science in action. A big, multistranded discovery story. " —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An exceptional nonfiction work that traces the finding of a new human relative, Homo naledi, and the discovery’s impact on contemporary society... Propulsive sequences... keep readers locked into the intense and exciting narrative." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Part anthropology lesson, part adventure story, and all enormous fun... An exhilarating anthropological adventure sure to inspire readers to do some (literal or metaphorical) digging of their own." —Booklist, starred review
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Glad to share that I'll be presenting a Webinar for TIES on 9/23 at 6pm EDT about my book "Reading The Bones." It tells the discovery of Homo naledi and how I've taught human evolution & the scientific method to my middle schoolers. Registration is free & required at - l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Glad to share that I'll be presenting a Webinar for TIES on 9/23 at 6pm EDT about my book "Reading The Bones." It tells the discovery of Homo naledi and how I've taught human evolution & the scientific method to my middle schoolers. Registration is free & required at - l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
With 10 days left till publication, I am thrilled to see "Reading The Bones" as the #1 new release in our category on Amazon! A million thanks to all our supporters! @mackidssl.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #homonaledi #middlegrades #nonfiction #newrealease
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
With 10 days left till publication, I am thrilled to see "Reading The Bones" as the #1 new release in our category on Amazon! A million thanks to all our supporters! @mackidssl.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #homonaledi #middlegrades #nonfiction #newrealease
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Macmillan Children's School & Library Marketing @mackidssl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
🩻READING THE BONES by Marc Aronson and @evoexplorer.bsky.social Illus. by Tim Foley is the @ala-booklist.bsky.social Review of the Day! ★"Part anthropology lesson, part adventure story, and all enormous fun." www.booklistonline.com/products/982... #EduSky
booklistonline.com
Booklist Online: Leading Book Discovery
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Andy Chandler-Grevatt @mosssafari.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Thanks Danny. Yes - I wrote this blog that may help mosssafari.com/2025/11/08/w... 🔬💚
mosssafari.com
Which Microscope? For youngsters, school kids and hobbyists
Which microscopes are good for doing Moss Safari? Whether you are 7, 15 or 75, here are some of my recommendations and guidance.
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Enjoying time here in #SouthCarolina and a visit to the amazing #BrookgreenGardens -- I am a huge fan of the #HammockCoast
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Happy to share this latest review of our book, "Reading The Bones," from Center for Children's Books! Excited that the publication date is now less than a month away! @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social #homonaledi #middlegrades #nonfiction us.macmillan.com/.../97803743...
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Why were mysterious ancient humans found in an African cave all female? | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
Why were mysterious ancient humans found in an African cave all female?
Analysis of fossil proteins deepens mystery of the enigmatic Homo naledi
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Enjoying time here in #SouthCarolina and a visit to the amazing #BrookgreenGardens -- I am a huge fan of the #HammockCoast
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
@barnesandnoble.com is running a preorder sale until June 26. They will have a 25% discount on ALL preorders, including our new book Reading The Bones! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reading-th... #BNPreorder @mackidsbooks.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
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
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
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
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Always love getting to see a microscopic population explosion in my samples! Here's a Paramecium undergoing binary fission to create two clones! Motic Ba310e / Lbacam Ultra/iPhone 15/ 10X objective #nature #microscope #biology #iteachbiology #edusky #science #naturephotography
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Microverse Minute I collected samples from a local fountain several days after a good rain, and the sediment was loaded with these micro crustaceans called Ostracods!! They date back in the fossil record over 400 million years! #microscopy #naturephotography📷 #science #biology
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
While pretty common in samples from puddles & birdbaths, I never tire of the antics of Ostracods - the hyperactive #crustaceans who also bear the nickname "Seed Shrimp" - they have a fossil history going back over 570 million years! They are a great marker in relative dating in #paleontology!
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March Mammal Madness @mmmletsgo.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
SWEET 16 WINNERS: #2026MMM Steller's Sea Cow, Aurochs, Humpback Whale, Hippopotamus, Lions, Nile Crocodile, Honey Badger and Gila Monster! Please join us TOMORROW (3/26) at 8PM EST for the ELITE TRAIT!!
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Please take 2 minutes to help me with a challenge for my students. 🙂 How good are we at discerning whether videos are made with AI? I created a collection of 6 short video clips. I plan to ask my students whether they were created with AI. wakelet.com/wake/OB_4iRd... THANKS!
wakelet.com
Youtube IconTwitter IconFacebook IconInstagram Icon
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March Mammal Madness @mmmletsgo.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
#2026MMM EXTINCTION IS FOREVER ROUND 1 WINNERS: Steller's Sea Cow, Saudi Gazelle, Baiji, Yallara, Thylacine, Aurochs, Sea Mink, and Wild Dromedary Camel! Please join us Wednesday 3/18 at 8PM EST for Round 1 of That's So Metal!
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Jess Popescu @jesspopescu.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
💀 IS FOREVER EMOJI BATTLE #2026MMM Round 1 🐮🆚🐭:🐭🍽️👶🏼/🐮🌊🐭/🏆🐮 🐐🆚🦦:🏜️💨🦦/🦦➡️🪨/🏆🐐 🐬🆚🐀:🌋🐕🐀/🐀🏊‍♂️🪨/🏆🐬 🦭🆚🦘:🏌️‍♂️🦭😴/🦘🏖️😬/🏆🦘 🐯🆚🐹:🪄🐹🙂/🐯🍽️🐹/🏆🐯 🐂🆚🐁:🐁🍽️🌾/🦶🐁😰/🏆🐂 🐺🆚🧥:🐺🧥🐧/🧥😡🐺/🏆🧥 🐪🆚🦇:〽️🦇🐀/🦇🆙👋/🏆🐪
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I just enjoyed seeing this Sun Animalcule (aka Heliozoan) in a sample, took a photo of it, and digitally painted it. A neat interaction between #Art and #Science! #microscope #microscopy #pondscum #biology #sciart #nature
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Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
A round of applause for Education Engagement Coordinator Jenna Kissel & @loreleipatrick.bsky.social and the whole group of contributors to those sweet, sweet combatant info slides! #2026MMM
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Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Shout out to the incredible #2026MMM coverage from ASU with a focus on librarians & libraries news.asu.edu/20260220-art...
news.asu.edu
March Mammal Madness returns to celebrate science, storytelling and libraries | ASU News
On a chilly winter afternoon in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Victoria Savo is painting a blank tournament bracket on the outside wall of a library. Savo is a library media specialist at Swift...
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Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Real Talk: you hear from me A LOT, but March Mammal Madness is made possible by the most incredible teaMMM of the very awesomest people you will ever have the honor of knowing! #2026MMM
media.tenor.com
a group of avengers are fighting each other in a scene from the movie avengers
ALT: a group of avengers are fighting each other in a scene from the movie avengers
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March Mammal Madness @mmmletsgo.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
#2026MMM WILDCARD WINNER: Assassin Bug! Join us Wednesday, March 11th at 8PM EST for ROUND ONE of MONEY MAMMALS!
Image shows the MMM bracket with Assassin Bug winning the Wildcard over the Bone Collector Caterpillar and a checkmark indicating the Wildcard category has been completed.
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
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
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
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
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
While pretty common in samples from puddles & birdbaths, I never tire of the antics of Ostracods - the hyperactive #crustaceans who also bear the nickname "Seed Shrimp" - they have a fossil history going back over 570 million years! They are a great marker in relative dating in #paleontology!
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I encountered this Bursaria truncatella after it "inhaled" a Paramecium. I was hoping to see the Paramecium get sealed into a vacuole, but instead it finally managed to escape! My students have nicknamed Bursaria "Micro Roomba." LOL #microscope #science #microscopy #iteachbiology
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Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Live your life such that Bruce Springsteen does not write a protest song about how terrible you are
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Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free
youtu.be
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and many others -- @brucespringsteen.net today added his voice with the release of "Streets of Minneapolis" ..... youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w?...
youtu.be
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I just enjoyed seeing this Sun Animalcule (aka Heliozoan) in a sample, took a photo of it, and digitally painted it. A neat interaction between #Art and #Science! #microscope #microscopy #pondscum #biology #sciart #nature
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
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
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National Association of Biology Teacher @nabtbio.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Carl Zimmer: How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer Is Behind You. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/s...
nytimes.com
How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer Is Behind You.
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National Association of Biology Teacher @nabtbio.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
How corals from Honduras could help save Florida’s reefs www.npr.org/2025/10/01/n...
npr.org
Scientists are using corals from other countries to save Florida's dying reefs
The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries.
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National Association of Biology Teacher @nabtbio.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Fossils of Some of the Last Dinosaurs in North America Have a Story to Tell www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/s...
nytimes.com
Fossils of Some of the Last Dinosaurs in North America Have a Story to Tell
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Andrew D Thaler @drandrewthaler.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
In 1979, a Mining Test Ravaged the Pacific Seafloor— 44 Years Later, New Evidence Reveals It’s Likely Forever dailygalaxy.com/2025/11/in-1...
dailygalaxy.com
In 1979, a Mining Test Ravaged the Pacific Seafloor— 44 Years Later, New Evidence Reveals It’s Likely Forever
A 1979 deep-sea mining test left marks on the Pacific seafloor that remain nearly untouched over four decades later. New research uncovers what really happened in the ocean depths—and why it matters m...
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
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
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National Center for Science Education @ncse.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Ep. 6 of Safeguarding Sound Science is out! This week, Mat Kaplan sits down with Todd Disotell (@todddisotell.bsky.social) for an enlightening, and sometimes sobering discussion about how we may fare in the event of another pandemic. #podsky #sciencesky #virus #evobio
ncse.ngo
Safeguarding Sound Science | National Center for Science Education
Safeguarding Sound Science, Evolution EditionThe second season of Safeguarding Sound Science examines the everyday impacts of evolution, the grand theory that informs our understanding of all life on ...
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Jeff Grant @jeffgrantscience.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
@evoexplorer.bsky.social absolutely crushing his presentation on microsafari. @nabtbio.bsky.social A privilege to call this talented man my friend.
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
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
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K.C. Mead-Brewer @kcmeadbrewer.com · 11/10/2025
yall my dad wrote this!! a middle grade book about human evolution ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pre-order a copy for your kiddos! @evoexplorer.bsky.social
bookmoonbooks.com
Reading the Bones by Marc Aronson | Book Moon Books
High-stakes adventure meets cutting-edge anthropology in this true account of the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi, which shocked the world of evolutionary science and redefined what it means t...
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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
AUTISM and TYLENOL A study of 2.5 million children showed a small association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism—but this finding DISAPPEARED when full siblings were compared. “Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism…” Full article:
jamanetwork.com
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
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
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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
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
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