Maru

@drprescott

Scientist, educator, nonprofit leader. AAAS Council Exec Committee, Education. Building better STEM systems for people and planet. Also here for ducks, owls, fluffy cows, and regenerative gardens.

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Maru@drprescott· 10d

There’s still time to apply for our Fall 2026 Green Chemistry Faculty Mentoring Networks! Three different ways to get involved this fall — all collaborative, practical, and designed to help faculty bring green chemistry into their teaching. Applications close Friday, Aug. 21. 🧵

Screenshot of nine faculty participants in a Zoom meeting, smiling from offices and other workspaces, illustrating the collaborative, community-based format of the Green Chemistry Faculty Mentoring Networks.

Maru@drprescott· Jul 24

FMNs through @bioquest.bsky.social are not “sit quietly while someone talks at you” professional development. They are working communities. Educators adapt, test, revise, reflect, share, and often grow into future facilitators themselves. #FacultyDevelopment #OpenEducation

Photo of educators gathered for a professional learning session, representing the collaborative Faculty Mentoring Network model where participants adapt resources, test ideas, reflect, and grow into future facilitators.

Maru@drprescott· Jul 24

Applications are open for FOUR Faculty Mentoring Networks this fall for educators interested in green chemistry, sustainability, open education, and supportive professional learning communities. (a thread) #GreenChemistry #ChemEd #FacultyDevelopment #OER @bioquest.bsky.social @acsgci.bsky.social

Photo of Sarah Prescott smiling outdoors, used to introduce a thread about fall Faculty Mentoring Networks in green chemistry, sustainability, open education, and supportive educator communities.

Maru@drprescott· Jun 23

A joyful first day of #BIOME2026: an inspiring keynote from Emily Weigel, great conversations about green chemistry, systems thinking, and the UN SDGs, then more connection in Kumospace. Now I’m winding down by the duck pond with my snack box nearby. Roxy has questions. 🐔🌱 @bioquest.bsky.social

Close-up of Roxy, a black chicken with a bright red comb, standing outdoors under leafy green trees and looking directly at the camera.

A person smiling outdoors in a colorful BioQUEST tie-dye shirt while holding a red and white snqck box.

Maru@drprescott· May 21

Excited for tomorrow’s 1-yr anniversary event for the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future! I first learned about it at last year’s GC&E conference and am proud to be signer #1367. Register free: www.stockholm-declaration.org #GreenChemistry #chemsky #academicsky #Sustainability

Maru@drprescott· May 14

One day left to submit a Poster or Works in Progress proposal for BIOME 2026! Need a tiny break from grading? Submit that idea you’ve been meaning to share. Proposal deadline only. Registration is open until May 22. qubeshub.org/community/gr... #BIOME2026 #STEMEd #OpenEd @bioquest.bsky.social

Maru@drprescott· Apr 6

Spent the weekend at Maru’s planting apple trees, evergreens, and what currently looks like a very intentional collection of sticks. Some things take time to look like anything at all. Also: ducks loafing nearby, fully committed to rest as a lifestyle 🦆 (I think they might be on to something.)

Early-stage orchard at Maru’s Meadows with rows of newly planted young trees spread across an open field, still leafless in early spring with a small cabin and forest in the background.

Bare-root raspberry canes planted in soil and marked with bright orange flags, appearing as small sticks in the ground in early spring.

Two light-colored ducks resting close together on damp ground, tucked into relaxed “loaf” positions.

Maru@drprescott· Mar 23

Why be a seahorse when you can be a seadragon Conference travel rule: always find something local that connects you to nature/art. Museums + gardens closed → aquarium it is Belugas queued for snacks Puffins being iconic Seadragons redefining life goals Highly recommend 🐋✨

Group of beluga whales suspended vertically in clear blue water, aligned near the glass

Puffin standing upright in a rocky crevice, facing forward with wings slightly out

Leafy seadragon floating in blue water, its ornate, leaf-like fins creating a camouflage that makes it look like drifting seaweed

Maru@drprescott· Mar 22

At ACS spring mtg on a panel this afternoon talking green chemistry education 🌿 Also the trees are blooming and honestly that feels just as important 🌸

Smiling person with purple and magenta hair taking a selfie outdoors under blooming white flowering trees, wearing a gray blazer, patterned blouse, and conference lanyard, with a modern building in the background on a sunny day.

Close-up of a vibrant flower bed with purple, white, and orange pansies in full bloom, surrounded by green foliage in bright sunlight.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta framed by rows of blooming trees with white and pink blossoms along a walkway under a clear blue sky.

Maru@drprescott· Mar 18

Presenting this morning at AAC&U’s Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference. From innovation → sustainability in STEM education and building systems where people and ideas can thrive. Looking forward to the conversation. @aacu.org @aacu-stem.bsky.social #OpenEducation #SystemsThinking

Promotional badge for a presentation at the AAC&U Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference, March 18–20, 2026 (virtual), with conference branding and presenter information.

Maru@drprescott· Feb 27

Honored to have been elected as a Council Member for AAAS Section Q (Education). In this role, I will support the AAAS mission to advance science and serve society. Science education leadership matters deeply right now. @aaas.org

Maru@drprescott· Nov 19

There’s work happening now: river restoration, a new state park coming in 2026, and baby-tooth testing to understand historical lead exposure. #EnvironmentalJustice #Sustainability

A slide titled “What happened to Flint,” with several photos illustrating the water crisis. Images include: a “Before” photo of downtown Flint; a cross-section of a lead pipe with corrosion control; a technician adjusting treatment controls in April 2014; the Flint River; the Flint Water Plant tower; two water samples labeled Flint and Detroit showing stark color differences; a diagram showing chloride-driven corrosion without phosphates; and a beaker of brownish, contaminated water. Text overlays emphasize more chlorination, more ferric chloride, and no phosphates added.

Slide titled “Flint River Restoration” with three photos. Left: the Hamilton Dam, showing water flowing over a concrete spillway. Center: Chevy Commons, a restored green space with walking paths, native plants, and the river running alongside. Right: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and other officials at a podium announcing the creation of Michigan’s 104th state park, a 230-acre project scheduled for completion in 2026. Text on the slide notes the park acreage and 2026 completion date.

Maru@drprescott· Nov 19

Flint wasn’t just a chemistry failure — it was a community crisis. Huge thanks to @nkingsley.bsky.social for sharing the science, policy story, and his experience living and teaching through it with my Greener by Design class. #WaterJustice #GreenChemistry

A slide titled “The Flint Water Crisis” with an infographic explaining how trihalomethanes formed when chlorine disinfectant reacted with organic matter in Flint’s water. The diagram compares corrosion levels in Detroit vs. Flint water, shows phosphate-based corrosion control chemistry, and illustrates pipes with and without phosphates. Bullet points on the left summarize the causes: organic materials not oxidized, chlorine reacting with organics, trihalomethane formation, and no phosphate corrosion control.

Maru@drprescott· Nov 17

🌱 This season, I’m grateful for the seeds of possibility — including a new one I’m excited to grow. I’ve received a UNH Sustainability Seed Grant to advance systems-level sustainability education and expand green chemistry pathways across #STEM. #Sustainability

A dwarf multi-bloom sunflower from my homestead, growing on a single sturdy stalk with bright yellow petals radiating in several directions. The flower is small but vibrant, surrounded by green leaves and soft summer light.

Maru@drprescott· Nov 13

🍂 From acorns to lignin — chemistry, creativity, and a dash of twine. This week’s Greener by Design guest, @manhattanscientist.bsky.social (SUNY FIT), showed how sustainability can be both brilliant and fun: #GreenChemistry #Sustainability #STEMEducation #GreenerByDesign

Slide titled ‘Lignin, Nature’s Plastic.’ The slide shows a pile of lignin powder next to a labeled cross-section of a corn cob (chaff/beeswing, woody ring, pith), chemical structures of lignin units and vanillin, and two images on the right: Dr. Julian Silverman standing beside the world’s largest ball of twine, and an SEM microscopic image of lignin globules.

Maru@drprescott· Sep 18

Life’s been busy with fall course prep, but I finally wanted to share this: we got to help at least 7 tiny painted turtle hatchlings cross the road safely after they hatched near our mailbox. 🐢💚 A magical summer moment. #sustainability #wildlife #EverydayJoy

painted turtle hatchling crawling over rocks and grass

Maru@drprescott· Sep 8

Apples need pruning work, ducks are happy with a clearer pond, and I’m grateful for the food + lessons this year. Onward to Maru’s Meadows. 🌱💚

White flowers in the foreground with a small pond behind

Maru@drprescott· Sep 8

Tried fruit bags on peaches to keep pests out… accidentally hosted an ANT PARTY. 🐜😂 Lesson learned.

Closeup picture of unripened peaches in small mesh bags on a peach tree

Maru@drprescott· Sep 8

Peaches were the stars — so many that I had to thin them mid-season. Flash frozen for winter PEACH CRISP (better than apple crisp, fight me). 🍑🔥

Maru@drprescott· Sep 8

This season’s garden experiments had wins, fails, & surprises. Tomatoes thrived this year (drought & all) — heirlooms from local plant sales. Even got some yummy yellow ones! Pickle-palooza: sweet, dill, garlic-dill, & my grandmother’s sour (mustard) pickles. (Only I eat those… but it’s tradition.)

Cucumbers and assorted colored tomatoes in pans

Maru@drprescott· Jul 31

💬 What’s your main thing? Whether or not you were at BIOME, we’d love to hear what grounds you as an educator, leader, or changemaker. Drop a reply—we’re building together. #CatalyzingChange #BioQUEST #STEMed

Maru@drprescott· Jul 31

🧭 “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” @travisyork.bsky.social Travis York’s keynote helped us reflect on our center, and our word cloud said it all: community, collaboration, learning. #TheMainThing #BIOME2025 #Equity

screenshot of a menti poll word cloud, with the words collaboration, community, learning, and engagement largest in the center

Maru@drprescott· Jul 31

🌈 Tie Dyed Tuesday brought the color and the energy! Our Bonfire shop’s still open if you want to rep the spirit year-round: lnkd.in/ef2SKtv8 📰 Don’t miss future events: qubeshub.org/news/newslet... #TiedyedTuesday #BioQUEST

screenshot of a zoom room of participants headshots smiling, most wearing tie dyed tshirts

Maru@drprescott· Jul 31

🌀 BIOME 2025 (organized by @bioquest.bsky.social ) was one of the most energizing events of my summer. Educators across disciplines came together to catalyze change through inclusive, sustainable, community-centered STEM education. #BIOME2025 #CatalyzingChange #STEMed #CommunitiesOfPractice

screenshot of zoom room with headshots of participants smiling

Maru@drprescott· Jul 15

Back on our Maine land. Orchard’s hanging in—but the MVP? The murder hat. 🧢🟦 Blue cup + stick-em = deerfly doom. Before/after in pics. No bees harmed. Just weird, wonderful DIY pest control. You're welcome. #MarusMeadows #DeerflyDefense #RegenerativeAg #BugNerdsUnite #NatureHacks

person wearing a gray hat with a blue solo cup taped to the top with duct tape

gray hat with blue cup duct taped to it, with flies attached

Maru@drprescott· Jun 17

This little patch of land is teaching us about systems, slowness, and long-game joy. Certified Conservation Landscape + Wildlife Habitat—and always in progress. 🌾🌼🌧️ #MarusMeadows #RegenerativeLiving #SystemsThinking

Small sunflower in the ground with a blurred background

Strawberry plant with ripe strawberry in the ground with other plants behind

Maru@drprescott· Jun 17

First strawberry harvested, pollinators hard at work, and orchard trees now netted and fertilized for the next stretch. Some wilt, some resilience. 🌱 Also experimenting with interplanting annual veggies among native shrubs to see who plays nice.

Maru@drprescott· Jun 17

Back at Maru’s Meadows this weekend, where the projects keep multiplying and the clover keeps thriving. Highlights: – Transplanted fir trees – Native perennials – Three Sisters planting (shovel-only version) – Pumpkin trials + sunflowers – New habitat signs!

Certified wildlife habitat sign on a post with a blurred background

Certified Consearvation Landscape sign on a post with a blurred background

mowed field with interspersed evergreens and other planted trees

Maru@drprescott· Jun 9

American redstart coming straight at us before banking left on repeat = birding magic. Also: Baltimore oriole, black-throated green warbler, yellow warbler, great crested flycather, 2 great egrets (one we mistook for a swan 😄). Spring migration never misses. #birding #ParkerRiver #AmericanRedstart

Male American Redstart bird on a branch. Small songbird (black head and wings, red under the wings, white belly) sitting on a branch looking forward

Male Baltimore Oriole. Medium black and orange songbird sitting behind leaves in a tree.

Great Egret. Large white bird with a long neck, floating in water.

Black throated green warbler. Small black yellow and gray songbird perched on a tree branch.

Maru@drprescott· May 30

5/ And on Memorial Day, we paused with coffee and a flag-staked pastry (Obi wanted both). Grateful for those who gave everything. Trying to build something peaceful in their honor. (end)