Ocean science at the speed of light!
Welcome to Lightning Talks, conversations with brilliant scientific minds who want to share their knowledge with you. During a Lightning Talk, five speakers each have five minutes to dazzle the audience with their expertise about a certain subject. Virtual audience members have the chance to ask questions, so bring your curiosity!
Past topics include ocean technology, life on the frozen edge, deep sea creatures, kelp forests, orcas and more.
Lightning Talks are streamed online, with occasional in-person events held at the Seattle Aquarium.
Upcoming Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks: Corals
Join us for a colorful conversation all about corals! During this Lightning Talk, five speakers will have five minutes each to dazzle the audience with their knowledge of these beautiful marine invertebrates. And stay tuned for an amazing post-talk discussion answering audience questions.
Lightning Talks: Bioluminescence
Mark your calendar for Lightning Talks: Bioluminescence on Thursday, July 23! Check back soon for more information on this Lightning Talk.
Interested in speaking at a future Lightning Talks event? Please fill out our speaker interest form!
Check out past seasons on our YouTube channel
Watch Season 1: Sharks; Octopuses; Otters; Orcas
Watch Season 2: Sharks; Creatures of the Deep; Birds; Kelp Forests
Watch Season 3: Life on the Frozen Edge; Myths and Misconceptions; Jellies; Snails
Watch Season 4: Ocean Tech; Cephalopods; Experience the Coral Triangle; Rays
Watch Season 5: Salmon; Ocean Ancients; Spineless; Seahorses and Seadragons
Watch Season 6: Sea Turtles; Whales
Lightning Strikes Twice
Can’t get enough of Lightning Talks? Then have we got the podcast for you!
Lightning Strikes Twice welcomes back guests from Lightning Talks to discuss all the fun facts, cool stories and unanswered audience questions they missed during their initial five-minute talk. This is the perfect show for the “science curious,” aka anyone who wants to learn more about the ocean and the incredible creatures who rely on it (including us)! The show is co-hosted by the Aquarium’s own Cari Garand and Amy Olsen.
Lightning Strikes Twice is available wherever you get your podcasts!
