Tag: science

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Stop & Shop Launch the Search for “Shark Marty”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro


Stop & Shop to release Limited-Edition White Shark Marty plushies with portion of proceeds supporting shark research, education, and conservation.

(June 22, 2026) Chatham, MA â€“ The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) is kicking off the 2026 white shark research season with a search to find a shark to name “Marty.” AWSC researchers announced they will name the first, newly identified great white shark of the 2026 season after Stop & Shop’s iconic in-store robot Marty as a salute to the local grocer’s renewed partnership and ongoing commitment to supporting AWSC’s shark research, education, and conservation efforts.

Stop & Shop will celebrate the occasion by releasing limited-edition White Shark Marty plush toys and donate 20% of the proceeds from each White Shark Marty to the AWSC. White Shark Marty plushies will be available in all Stop & Shop stores beginning June 22nd and are only available while supplies last. 

“This partnership is a fun and engaging way to connect people to white shark research happening right off our coast,” said Cynthia Wigren, Co-Founder and CEO of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “Each summer brings new discoveries, and we’re excited to invite the public to follow along on the research team’s Marty mission to tag the season’s first newly identified shark. AWSC works to advance the conservation of sharks through science, education, and outreach. By helping people recognize the vital role sharks play in healthy ocean ecosystems, we strive to foster informed coexistence and inspire appreciation for these remarkable animals.” 

The AWSC encourages all beachgoers across Cape Cod and the Islands to be “Shark Smart” this summer by downloading the Sharktivity app and following recommended safety practices, including paying attention to flags and signs on the beach, staying close to shore when in the ocean, and avoiding areas in the water where seals are present. 

In-store signage in Massachusetts Stop & Shop locations will highlight the campaign and include QR codes directing customers to AWSC’s Sharktivity app and website, encouraging public engagement with shark safety, research, and real-time sightings.

“This is our second year partnering with AWSC to celebrate the summer season on the Cape & Islands, where it’s important to help raise awareness around shark safety and conservation,” said Roger Wheeler, President of Stop & Shop. “I’m personally excited to add the White Shark Marty plush to my collection and to follow along as AWSC’s researchers hit the waters to find the real ‘Shark Marty’.” 

AWSC’s research program focuses on advancing scientific understanding of white sharks to improve public safety and support long-term conservation efforts. Headquartered in Quincy, Stop & Shop ranks as one of the largest corporate philanthropic contributors in Massachusetts. In addition to this important environmental research, Stop & Shop supports regional efforts focused on combatting food insecurity.

About the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
Since 2013, AWSC has worked in collaboration with shark science experts, community partners, public and government officials, researchers, donors, friends, and followers to augment scientific research, improve factors that affect public safety, and educate both the local and broader community to inspire a greater understanding of white sharks and conservation of the species.

AWSC supports multiple long-term research projects in collaboration with scientists from Canada to Florida that seek to increase our collective knowledge of white sharks. Through AWSC’s public education programs that reach thousands of young people each year, the nonprofit provides science-based, hands-on learning opportunities that have lasting impact. Every season, thousands of Cape Cod residents and visitors from across the country learn about white shark research and shark conservation at AWSC’s Shark Center in Chatham, Massachusetts. For the latest white shark news, follow AWSC on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

In the news: Congratulations Kurt Lichtenwald for leading Gloucester High School robotics and engineering program and students to another recognition–this one national! And those smart Monnells…

Posted on by Catherine

Well deserved. See wonderful story by Ray Lamont in today’s Gloucester Daily Times: GHS Engineering program wins national award, Photo by Mike Springer shows Kurt with students Austin Monnell and Conor Williamson.

NATIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION  

TEACHER EXCELLENCE AWARD 

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It’s close to Kurt’s 20th anniversary at Gloucester High School. Here’s a throwback photo I took in February 2012 at East Gloucester Elementary. Kurt brought the high school students in to the elementary school to lead science and robotic stations for all the kids. He told me then about his approach:

“For too long; students who could memorize facts were considered highly intelligent. In my classes students must learn to apply the knowledge and prove that they learned the topics. This is a different kind of intelligence (kinesthetic – hands on intelligence)  that for so long has gone unappreciated and unrecognized.  Mixing the two types of intelligences (multi level) in a class just makes common sense and great products (student work).”-Kurt Lichtenwald

 

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“Top Secret Science” at St. Ann School

Posted on by Matthew Green

On Friday Feb. 2, Michael Bergen of “Top Secret Science and Math” came to do some activities with the students of St. Ann School.  I’m not sure who had more fun, he or the kids!  I stopped in to take some photos and to see what he would do (I love hands-on science stuff…).  I couldn’t stay long, but I got some shots that show how much fun everyone was having – the kids making rubber balls from water and powdery crystals, and Michael Bergen throwing fire from his hands…

 

 

– Fr. Matthew Green

Movie – “Ice People”

Posted on by Rob Newton

ice_people_photoICE PEOPLE
The Cape Ann Community Cinema
(at Gloucester Stage)
267 East Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978/282-1988
*SHOWTIMES:
Thursday 2/26 @ 7:15pm; Friday 2/27 @ 5:00pm; Saturday 2/28; March 1 @ 2:45pm & 5:00pm

Unique in the genre of exploration and adventure films, “Ice People” takes you on one of the earth’s most seductive journeys -Antarctica. Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Anne Aghion spent four months “on the ice” with modern-day polar explorers, to find out what drives dedicated researchers to leave the world behind in pursuit of science, and to capture the true experience of living and working in this extreme environment. And, as it turns out, the film also witnesses one of the most significant discoveries about climate change in recent Antarctic science.

Intense public focus on climate change has turned the shores of Antarctica into a new tourist mecca, making the earth’s coldest continent the hot place to be. But, inland from the penguins and ice floes is a magical Antarctica of volcanoes, boulder-strewn valleys and ominous glaciers. Only a small number of scientific research teams get there, braving severe conditions to learn about our planet’s history, and make predictions about our future.

“Ice People” heads out into the “deep field” with noted geologists Allan Ashworth and Adam Lewis, and two undergrad scientists-in-the-making, where they scour across hundreds of miles to find tiny, critical signs of ancient life. Their findings would give the first evidence of a green Antarctica over 14 million years ago, that disappeared with a sudden shift in the temperature of the continent.

The most authentic film about life on the ice since the trailblazing expeditions to Antarctica chronicled nearly a century ago, “Ice People” conveys the vast beauty, the claustrophobia, the excitement and the stillness of an experience set to nature’s rhythm.

“An intriguing slice-of-life that observes the area’s staggeringly beautiful and imposing landscapes and the unique challenges experienced by those who work there.” -Dennis Harvey, Variety

“Documentary filmmaker Anne Aghion follows research geologists… as they pick their way across Antarctica’s interior dry valleys, eventually discovering – in front of Aghion’s camera! -plant and animal fossils that prove the ice shelf at the bottom of the world was once green… Highly recommended!” -Jennifer Merin, About.com

“I have seen hundreds of science films, and ‘Ice People’ is unique in the way it portrays what it’s really like to do field science. Also, this is some of the best cinematography I’ve ever seen of the Dry Valleys—it’s the first time anyone has captured in motion picture the ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ feel of Antarctica.” -Tom Wagner, Program Director for Antarctic Earth Sciences, U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Program

Unique in the genre of exploration and adventure films, “Ice People” takes you on one of the earth’s most seductive journeys -Antarctica. Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Anne Aghion spent four months “on the ice” with modern-day polar explorers, to find out what drives dedicated researchers to leave the world behind in pursuit of science, and to capture the true experience of living and working in this extreme environment. And, as it turns out, the film also witnesses one of the most significant discoveries about climate change in recent Antarctic science.

Intense public focus on climate change has turned the shores of Antarctica into a new tourist mecca, making the earth’s coldest continent the hot place to be. But, inland from the penguins and ice floes is a magical Antarctica of volcanoes, boulder-strewn valleys and ominous glaciers. Only a small number of scientific research teams get there, braving severe conditions to learn about our planet’s history, and make predictions about our future.

“Ice People” heads out into the “deep field” with noted geologists Allan Ashworth and Adam Lewis, and two undergrad scientists-in-the-making, where they scour across hundreds of miles to find tiny, critical signs of ancient life. Their findings would give the first evidence of a green Antarctica over 14 million years ago, that disappeared with a sudden shift in the temperature of the continent.

The most authentic film about life on the ice since the trailblazing expeditions to Antarctica chronicled nearly a century ago, “Ice People” conveys the vast beauty, the claustrophobia, the excitement and the stillness of an experience set to nature’s rhythm.

“An intriguing slice-of-life that observes the area’s staggeringly beautiful and imposing landscapes and the unique challenges experienced by those who work there.” -Dennis Harvey, Variety

“Documentary filmmaker Anne Aghion follows research geologists… as they pick their way across Antarctica’s interior dry valleys, eventually discovering – in front of Aghion’s camera! -plant and animal fossils that prove the ice shelf at the bottom of the world was once green… Highly recommended!” -Jennifer Merin, About.com

“I have seen hundreds of science films, and ‘Ice People’ is unique in the way it portrays what it’s really like to do field science. Also, this is some of the best cinematography I’ve ever seen of the Dry Valleys—it’s the first time anyone has captured in motion picture the ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ feel of Antarctica.” -Tom Wagner, Program Director for Antarctic Earth Sciences, U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs