206. How to Turn Off Your Selective Attention

Show Summary:What if turning off your selective attention could actually make you more creative? In this episode of The STEM Space, we explore how the brain filters information—and why loosening that filter might be the secret to innovation.You’ll also meet Ellen Swallow Richards, the chemist, environmental scientist, and sanitary engineer who transformed public health by revealing the hidden dangers in everyday water. Plus, we highlight several accidental scientific discoveries that changed the world in unexpected ways.Don’t forget to grab the free lesson that goes along with this week’s STEMist spotlight, and stick around for the latest STEM news from around the world!STEMist SPOTLIGHT: Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) was an American chemist and a pioneer in environmental science and public health. Ellen became the first woman admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she studied chemistry and later worked as a researcher. Richards is best known for her work testing water quality and identifying pollution in drinking water, helping to establish modern sanitation and environmental safety standards. She also founded the field of home economics, applying science to everyday life, including nutrition and hygiene. Her work improved public health and changed how communities think about clean water and healthy living.As always, we have a free student activity that goes with our featured STEMist that you can find in our STEM Explorer Library using the image to the left or the link below (listed in under Vivify STEM Lessons).Links from the Show:Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 48. What Is In Our Air?205. Can You See Stuff in Your Head?36. Are You A Visualizer?Vivify STEM Blog Posts Top 10 Ways to Encourage Girls in STEMA Neuroscientist’s Top 5 STEM Activities for Kids and Families!How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing ForwardVivify STEM LessonsFREE! - Featured STEMist Lesson: Ellen Swallow RichardsFREE! - What is in the Air? - A Middle School Environmental Science UnitSTEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming PowerMars Soil Testing STEM Mission (pH, Acids, Bases)Women in STEM BINGO GameWomen in STEM History Engineering Challenges BundleWho is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & ActivityOther STEM ResourcesPublications by Ellen Swallow RichardsYouTube: Selective Attention Test from Daniel Simons and Christopher ChabrisThat Fatigue You Feel Might Just Boost Your Creativity | Psychology TodayIn STEM NewsWhy Mosquitoes Always Find You -Scientists from Georgia Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that mosquitoes don’t follow each other—instead, they independently respond to the same cues, especially carbon dioxide from breath and dark visual targets like clothing. Using 3D tracking and millions of data points, researchers found that the combination of CO₂ and dark colors is what most strongly attracts mosquitoes, helping explain their behavior and offering new ideas for more effective mosquito control. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260322020247.htmHow Beavers Are Fighting Climate Change - Scientists found that beavers can transform rivers into powerful carbon-storing systems by building dams that create wetlands and trap carbon-rich materials. Over time, these beaver-shaped environments can store significantly more carbon than normal streams—making them a surprising and natural ally in reducing climate change. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260322020245.htmKeep Your Eyes Open - A study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that closing your eyes in noisy environments can actually make it harder to hear faint sounds. Researchers discovered that visual input, especially images or videos related to the sound, helps the brain focus, while closing the eyes causes over-filtering that can block out important sounds. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260320073819.htmTHE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE