Bonnie Epstein received her undergraduate degree in geology/biology from Brown University and her 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 over 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).
After leaving the aquarium, Epstein founded the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA) and served as its executive director. RIMOSA was a hands-on, interactive museum, designed to highlight key commonalities between science and art—curiosity, observation, experimentation and communication—and inspire older children and adults. After more than a decade of providing what would later be known as STEAM outreach programs, mechanically interactive exhibits and experiences on site, Epstein oversaw the absorption of RIMOSA into the Rhode Island Computer Museum (RICM), where she now serves as a board member.
Epstein has served since 2011 as part-time faculty at RISD, where she enjoys teaching a variety of solution-based science courses focused on the large problems of our time, including climate change and water pollution/scarcity. She also is proud to serve on the group RISD Initiative for Sustainability and the Environment (RISE).
Academic areas of interest
Epstein is currently focused on issues of sustainability and education.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
SCI 1068-01 - ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
SCI 1068-01
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: MW | 9:40 AM - 11:10 AMInstructor(s): Bonnie EpsteinLocation(s): College Building, Room 410Enrolled / Capacity: 20Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The goals of this course are threefold:
(1) to explain how the natural world works, and how humans physically change and are changed by some of its processes
(2) To emphasize how society understands, evaluates and confronts the dangers posed by these natural processes
(3) To encourage students to view the unique sets of problems caused by flooding, earthquakes, tsunami, climate change and other earth functions as challenges demanding intelligent and creative solutions that they are equipped to deliver.
Case studies of recent natural disasters and design solutions will be discussed, and students own creativity and concepts for potential design solutions will be employed. No prior science background is required.
Elective
Wintersession 2025 Courses
SCI 2001-101 - WATER POLLUTION AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
Period Wintersession 2025
Credits 3
FormatSeminar
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
SCI 2001-101
WATER POLLUTION AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
PeriodWintersession 2025
Credits3
FormatSeminar
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2025-01-03 to 2025-02-06
Times: TH | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/23/2025 - 01/23/2025; W | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/22/2025 - 01/22/2025; TH | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/16/2025 - 01/16/2025; M | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/13/2025 - 01/13/2025; TH | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/09/2025 - 01/09/2025; W | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/08/2025 - 01/08/2025; M | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/06/2025 - 01/06/2025; TH | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02/06/2025 - 02/06/2025; W | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02/05/2025 - 02/05/2025; M | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02/03/2025 - 02/03/2025; TH | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/30/2025 - 01/30/2025; M | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/27/2025 - 01/27/2025Instructor(s): Bonnie EpsteinLocation(s): College Building, Room 410Enrolled / Capacity: 20Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Lead in city water, Mercury in fish, boil water advisories in Southern RI, PCB's, PAH's, BPA and more. In this class, we will examine a variety of types of water pollution - how pollutants get into the water, what they do there and how they have been traditionally treated/removed. We will examine emerging techniques for finding and mitigating water pollution, and brainstorm design solutions of our own. We will review case studies, and take field trips to water treatment and sewage treatment plants. No prior science background is required.
Elective
Spring 2025 Courses
SCI 1110-01 - GLOBAL WATER CRISIS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
Period Spring 2025
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
SCI 1110-01
GLOBAL WATER CRISIS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject Science
PeriodSpring 2025
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2025-02-13 to 2025-05-23
Times: MW | 9:40 AM - 11:10 AMInstructor(s): Bonnie EpsteinLocation(s): College Building, Room 410Enrolled / Capacity: 20Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Cape Town, South Africa is predicted to be the first major city to run out of water. Day Zero, when the taps will run dry, is expected in Spring 2018. How did we get here, and how do we fix it? Learn the science behind the planet's water and how humanity interacts with it. We will examine the causes and results of drought, salt-water contamination of wells and streams, shrinking aquifers and more. The goals of this course are threefold:
(1) To clarify how water works in earth's systems
(2) To outline how humans interact and leave their mark on every step of these cycles
(3) To encourage students to understand these water issues as challenges in need of the intelligent and creative solutions that they are equipped to deliver.
