iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 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

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 · 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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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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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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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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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 · 01/09/2025

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

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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 · 30/08/2025

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

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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 · 29/08/2025

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

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

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

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

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.

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

It's been a wonderful couple days.... had a blast at Theater Under the Stars in Stanley Park last night!

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Lovely day yesterday exploring Vancouver - great scenery,culture, and thoughtful wildlife rehabilitation organizations. #wildlife #Canada #Nature

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

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

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

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! 😁

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

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.

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Alas, we drove in from the west (Texas) -- and we LOVE HBSP -- here are a few shots from there yesterday!

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

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! 🤣🤣

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

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

Alligator on the shore at Huntington beach State Park, SC

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Loved getting to photograph these Laughing Gulls yesterday off the coast of Southport, North Carolina. #bird #coastal #birdwatching #Iteachbiology #edusky #Northcarolina

Laughing Gull against a blue sky with clouds

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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"

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

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

Great Blue Heron on a sandy beach with people

Great Blue Heron flying over a sandy beach

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

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

3D printed skulls & fossils on a teacher's desk

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

I do think Prince Fiyero is telling us he's become a vegetarian 🤣🤣🤣

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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 · 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 · 08/05/2025

With springtime in Texas comes mosquito larvae! This one was carrying some epibionts (biological hitchhikers), which look like peritrich ciliates. Enjoy! #Microscope #iteachbiology #edusky #science #Nature

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Saw this Stentor with a Lecane rotifer in a vacuole, while I have heard of such occurrences, it was great to see it! Looking forward to blowing my students' minds today with the idea that a single-celled protist can devour a multicellular animal! #microscope #science #iteachbiology #edusky

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Aesthetic Break Several years ago, I took this old tin sign in Denton, Texas, and had fun digitally painting it. I like its old-time feel—the sort of thing you'd see on a lazy weekend drive through the countryside. #art #Advertising #antique #photography

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

I always love the chance to see the green algae Volvox. It's great to share with students how this colonial organism demonstrates the early trend toward division of labor in a colony. Hope to collect some live Volvox this spring #microscope #algae #edusky #Iteachbiology #science #naturephotography

2 spherical algae called Volvox. The larger one shows reproductive daughter colonies inside the larger parent colony.

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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 · 18/04/2025

Just fiddling with an aging sample from my desktop "mini-pond" I love the worm Aeolosoma in darkfield because you can appreciate its internal structure so clearly. Motic BA310e/ 10X objective/Labcam Ultra/iPhone 15 #microscope #nature #biology #edusky #science 🧪

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Congrats to the POLAR BEAR on winning #2025MMM. I am now printing a 3D trophy for my winning student, who scored 117 points overall. @mmmletsgo.bsky.social @mammalssuck.bsky.social

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Great to catch the legendary @neilshubin.bsky.social talking Polar science & exploration with the amazing @nataliareagan.bsky.social on her #SurvivalOfTheFilthiest podcast today! Check it out at www.youtube.com/live/O7aVLTY...

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Happy #MicroscopeMonday! This video from an aging pond sample showcases Paramecium, some cysts of hypotrich ciliates (likely Oxytricha), and a mat of Zooglea bacteria at the end..... Motic BA310e 20X Objective/ LabcamUltra/iPhone15 #iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Aesthetic Break While I did not have a perfectly calm day at the Maroon Bells to have a glassy lake surface, it was a special treat to make it there and capture this icon of American landscape scenes. #naturephotography #landscape #Nature #colorado #MaroonBells #Iteachbiology #edusky

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

As a Middle school science teacher, I often bemoan how little current 11-15 year olds read for pleasure and how hard it is for them to stumble upon inspiring nature and science books. THANKS to @nobabooks.bsky.social, here's a TREASURE TROVE of such books!! I am THRILLED! www.noba-web.org

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

I am a true fan of Stentor and was able to capture this cooperative one with my 60X objective. I just love seeing the myonemes, the moniliform nuclei, and the cilia active as it "grazes." Motic BA310e - 60 X objective - Labcam Ultra -iPhone15 #iteachbiology #microscope #edusky #science #nature

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

A great visit with @kcmeadbrewer.com here at Pawleys Island, SC.... she's the most awesome daughter anyone could ask for!!!!

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John S. Mead @evoexplorer.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

#SpringBreak is finally here for this teacher and I am excited to hit the road tomorrow for a delicious 2 day road trip with family ( & 3 doggos!) to our special, happy place on the coast of South Carolina. A perfect #SelfCare opportunity! #NaturePhotography #Photography #DigitalArt #travel

Sunburst over the salt marsh in coastal South Carolina

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