Atticus Marse is a Junior Journalism and English Major. He has a past in filmmaking and photography, and finds joy in the creation of all forms of multimedia. He currently works for the Minnesota Daily on their podcast desk, and for the University’s Learning Abroad Center as a Videography and Graphic Design Intern.
Bell Expeditions focuses on research sample collection
Bell Expeditions focuses on research sample collection
The Bell Expeditions event at the Bell Museum is teaching people about what goes into natural history preservation and research.
By Atticus Marse / The Hubbard School
This month from August 5–9, 2025 the Bell museum held the Bell Expeditions event.
The event is designed to educate community members of all ages in the community about what goes into collecting research samples for the museum.
Researchers under a tent worked with their samples while visitors passing through the event could stop and ask questions.
Diego Guevara an Undergraduate fisheries and wildlife Major who works at the Bell Museum was working on two Cooper Hawk samples .
“We're working on preparing specimens that we've gone from salvage so that they've died in the wild and they've been collected, brought to the museum or brought by other organizations like the DNR.”
Guevara is prepping the samples for research purposes at the bell. That means checking the animals for infections and providing their hides to the museum.
“The event is kind of showing, you know, that, you know, behind the scenes, and kind of enlightening people”
I also spoke to Tim Whitfield, the Museum Collections Manager of the herbarium at the U. His Department was running a station where children and other visitors could press their own research samples
“I think it's a great opportunity for us to showcase the scientific, scientific and the science and research side of the museum," said Whitfield. "And so the young kids that are coming through here, we give them the chance to see the specimen specimen prep, and also to actually learn how to do a pressing for themselves.”
Whitfeld said that he hopes this engagement can inspire kids to think about nature ina different way and maybe even study them down the line.
Analiese Miller and her daughter visited the Bell Expedition for the second day in a row. They came in as the event ended on Tuesday, and decided to visit again the next day.
She had an interest in seeing kind of behind the scenes about you all to put together and learn more about, you know, what goes on behind the displays.”
Miller said that the event has been very eye opening and that is a special experience.
The bell museum will hold two more Expeditions this Friday and Saturday from 10 to 3, where people can observe Fish and Plant sample collections.
Minneapolis returns to normal air quality following significant alerts
Minneapolis returns to normal air quality following significant alerts
Minneapolis had the second worst air quality of any city in the world on Friday according to the World Air Quality Index.
By Atticus Marse, The Hubbard School
Minneapolis air quality returned to normal levels on Tuesday, following several days of hazardous conditions caused by wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada.
Mandy Iacampo said that she is concerned about her health.
“I am concerned and particular about my health. I have asthma and a tendency to get chest infections from polluted air, on days like this I can already hear it in my voice,” Iacampo said.
Ryan Leuck, a meteorologist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said that these microparticles can be harmful to all people’s lungs, cause people with preexisting conditions to flare up and increase cancer risk.
“I don’t necessarily want to expand my intake of polluted air,” Iacampo said.
Another Minneapolis resident Noah Leuchtenberger was playing disc golf in the smoke.
“When I'm playing disc golf, even walking up a hill, you can feel it more than a typical day. I think about it when I step out the door, but it's not like it's going to stop me from disc golfing.”
Leuchtenberger said that on his bike ride that he could definitely feel the smoke in his lungs.
“I think it kinda looks cool, but I mean I can definitely see why it might not be the most appealing thing for most people to see.”
Ryan Leuck also expanded on the possibility of smog this thick hitting this summer, and in summers beyond.
“It’s unusual that we have had one this long and it’s unlikely that we will have another one this long this year. That said, the wildfires are still burning and they are just as intense as they've ever been.”
According to the Canadian National Wildland Fire Situation Report, Canada has recorded 3,582 wildfires so far this year, with 60 still burning out of control.
“We can’t rule out a longer event before the summer’s through. And it’s a big complicated problem that probably won’t go away in the near future at least.” Leuck Said.
For this coming week at least, Twin Cities residents can expect clear air ahead.
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