On December 2, Professor David Helfland, founder of the Frontiers of Science course and experienced Astrophysics professor, sat down in Lerner Satow for an open Q&A in this science spotlight.

Most Lecturer Spotlights are just that—lectures where a professor shares their expertise with an audience eager to learn. They are meant to be listened to but only really interacted with at the end. But this spotlight was different. Instead of the usual formal lecture, Professor David Helfland created a casual, welcoming environment, allowing for a genuine conversation. Helfland’s Spotlight was about exploring ideas in a space where curiosity was the star, and everyone’s questions were taken seriously. Helfland’s approachable demeanor turned the event into a dialogue where no question was too narrow or too broad.

Helfland, a faculty member at Columbia University for over 46 years and a pioneer in science education, has made significant contributions to both astrophysics and educational reform. He’s the mastermind and founder behind Columbia’s Frontiers of Science course, which has reshaped the Core Curriculum to bring science to all first-year students. Beyond that, Helfland has mentored over 20 PhD students, authored over 200 scientific papers, and served as President of the American Astronomical Society. During the Spotlight, Helfland took on the role of a guide rather than a traditional lecturer, sharing his extensive knowledge while encouraging students to explore and learn based on their individual interests.

The conversation started by talking about climate change, and since Helfland is the professor of the two-week Climate and Us section of Frontiers of Science, that is the only context many first-years know him in. The first question itself was bleak: “How do you not get discouraged when hearing about all the doom of climate change?” Helfland didn’t mince words; he made it clear that the issue isn’t really about technology or economics, but politics. “It’s a solvable problem,” he said. “We just need the political will to address it.”  Climate change isn’t something we can’t fix, it’s something we need the right policies to solve. When I asked what college students could do to help, he pointed to education as the most powerful tool, mentioning a Columbia initiative that teaches high schoolers about these issues. For Helfland, the importance of education is a recurring theme.

We then touched on hurricanes and their increasing strength, and his response was surprising. While hurricanes have become more expensive as time passes, it is a common misconception that it is because they have become stronger. It’s not because the winds have gotten stronger, but rather, the flooding and rainfall coming from increased evaporation from warmer weather have made these storms more destructive.

But somewhere near the halfway mark of the spotlight, the tone changed to a much more personal note. Helfland shared some personal insights into his journey to astrophysics. Despite a “mediocre” high school experience, he was drawn to astronomy during his time at Amherst College. Initially a theater major, he stumbled into astrophysics by chance, but once he did, he realized he had found something meaningful. His story was a reminder that sometimes, discovering your passion doesn’t happen on a straight path, and it can lead to great things.

The conversation then turned to energy, where Helfland talked about solar and wind power as the future of clean energy. He noted, however, that these technologies need national investment to really make an impact. He also defended nuclear power as a safe energy source, arguing that its death toll is minuscule compared to nuclear weapons or bombs. He even spoke about whether electric vehicles are good or not. He said even if you powered electric vehicles with coal and fuel, their motors still use less energy so in all regards, it is better for the environment. More importantly, electric vehicles are good because of the positive message and potential it relayed to the world. Electric vehicle production has increased by 30% since its original production. Countries have rapidly adapted to their integration into society. It is the principle of this growth—a confirmation that we as a world can incorporate new innovation for the sake of climate change quickly—that makes electric vehicles so good.

Hefland has an inspiring passion for education. He talked about how much he believes in the power of teaching to change the world, which is why he helped create Frontiers of Science in the first place. He sees science education as the key to shifting society’s trajectory regardless of if you are a STEM or humanities major, and his dedication to making science accessible to all students was palpable.

Helfland’s talk wasn’t just about climate change or energy solutions, it was about the power of education and the collective effort required to address the world’s biggest challenges. His message was clear: the problems may be big, but they are solvable if we get the right education, the right policies, and the right political will behind them. It was a reminder that, while science can be complicated, the path forward doesn’t have to be.

Image via Bwog Archives