Bonnie Epstein Silverman

Lecturer - History Phil Social Sciences
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RISD faculty member Bonnie Epstein Silverman
BA, Brown University
PHD, University of Rhode Island

Bonnie Epstein earned an undergraduate degree in Geology/Biology from Brown University and a PhD in Geological Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island. Her interests lie at the junction of science, art and education. As a principal investigator for the New England Aquarium (Boston) for more than seven years, she helped develop, implement and evaluate programs and exhibits for informal scientific education. During that time, she served as director for the New England Aquarium’s Newport Exploration Center – a small science museum in Newport, RI currently run by Save The Bay – and led the Aquarium’s NSF-funded exhibit on jellyfish as environmental indicators (Amazing Jellies).

Epstein currently teaches a solution-based geology course at RISD entitled Environmental Disasters and Design Solutions. She also founded and continues to work on the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA), an initiative to create a hands-on, interactive museum in Rhode Island to inspire curiosity in older children and adults.

Academic areas of interest

Epstein is currently focused on the power of images to educate and influence public opinion on scientific issues, as well as the efficacy of hands-on, open-ended Informal Science Education in inspiring curiosity and continued interest in experimentation.

Fall 2022

  • SCI-1068-01 Environmental Disasters and Design Solutions

Wintersession 2023

  • SCI-W001-01 Water Pollution and Design Solutions

Spring 2023

  • SCI-1110-01 Global Water Crisis
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RISD faculty member Bonnie Epstein Silverman
BA, Brown University
PHD, University of Rhode Island