PBS to Air N.J. Resident's New Science Show

Thornton “Thor” Giese had just said “yes” to a cool new job as an Outdoor Educator with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife when COVID-19 hit, and the position was frozen. Undeterred, Thor found a new outlet for his love of science and education, developing his own series of experiential science videos, Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™, which has been picked up by the Emmy-winning Into the Outdoors network which currently airs on PBS in 27 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Ever since seeing his first Indiana Jones movie as a child, Thor has had a one-track mind to study, understand and appreciate the world around him and his place in it. Now he has the chance to share that passion with others as part of PBS’ acclaimed line-up.

“I love to learn, travel and be outdoors. I’ve not found anything in life to be uninteresting. I am so excited for this opportunity with Into the Outdoors and PBS and for building a program that will entertain and educate people of all ages,” said Thor Giese, who was born and raised in Annandale, N.J., attended North Hunterdon High School, and who spent a year in Germany as an exchange student.

The science academy videos tackle the elements of earth, air, fire and water in fun and relatable ways. Exploring these elements through science, history, language, food and great stories, Thor taps into his years of experience as an archaeologist and museum educator to bring the subjects alive for the audience.

“Last year Into the Outdoors celebrated 20 years of outdoor education. With dozens of educational and scientific partnerships through the years, Into the Outdoors has really become a pillar of outdoors education for kids and educators alike. Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™ brings a fun new twist to exploring and answering questions about rocks, carbon dating, water cycle, and much more. We are excited about the partnership between Into the Outdoors and Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™ and to bring fun and engaging science videos to kids and educators,” said Rick Rose, co-creator and director of Into the Outdoors.

One of Thor’s favorite ways to help people connect to science is through cooking, which is a recurring segment in his show. “I don’t want to just give out facts,” said Thor, a graduate in anthropology from the University of Colorado in Denver. “I want to share the stories behind the facts and then demonstrate a practical application through food. Plus, I’ve always loved food!”

In a segment on rock salt, Thor explains how rock salt has played an important role in human civilization as well as modern languages. He also can’t ignore salt’s “rock star” place in taste and food preservation, as he grills up shrimp and venison (which he hunted himself with a bow and arrow) on a slab of rock salt.

To watch Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™, tune into Thor's YouTube channel.
On his website, Thor features his science and cooking segments, as well as recommendations on books, podcasts and other ponderings.

About Thor Giese & Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™
With a degree in anthropology from the University of Colorado in Denver, Thor worked as an archaeologist on numerous digs and excavation sites, as well as served as a resident educator at Dinosaur Ridge, an outdoor museum in Colorado known as one of the world’s most famous dinosaur fossil localities. Easily educating over 200,000 museum guests in his time, Thor learned how to make science come alive and connect with others.

Combining his love for science with a passion for education, beginning in 2020, Thor developed a series of experiential science videos, Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy, where he tackles the elements of earth, air, fire and water. Exploring these elements through science, history, language, food and great stories, Thor is entertaining and educating viewers of all ages on our great big world of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Learn more about Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy™ at thorsoutdoorscienceacademy.com or follow on social media at:

www.facebook.com/thorsoutdoor
www.twitter.com/oudoorthors
www.instagram.com/thorsoutdoor...
https://www.youtube.com/channe...
www.tiktok.com/thorsoutdoorsci...

About Into the Outdoors

Into the Outdoors (ITO) is a 17-time Emmy-winning youth television series and hub for free online educational resources. Part science and part adventure, ITO uncovers the stories behind sensible solutions to creating a better planet while arming educators everywhere with free educational video resources. ITO broadcasts across 27 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, or find ITO on YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Smart TV and Chromecast. Visit IntoTheOutdoors.org to learn more.