Bunsen and Beaker: The Science Dogs Taking Social Media by Storm

The tale of Bunsen the Berner and BEAKER the retriever has taken social media by storm, as these two furry friends have become the faces of a unique science communication experiment. Jason Zackowski, a chemistry teacher in Red Deer, Alberta, first introduced Bunsen to the world through Twitter and Instagram, sharing science facts alongside adorable photos of the Bernese mountain dog.

The experiment gained even more traction when Zackowski brought home a golden retriever puppy named BEAKER during the pandemic. With her all-caps tweets and playful personality, BEAKER quickly became a hit on social media, joining Bunsen as the dynamic duo known as the “science dogs on Twitter.”

Together, Bunsen and BEAKER have amassed over 112,000 Twitter followers and 22,000 Instagram followers, including notable figures in the medical and science communities. Their formula for success is simple: promoting science education while spreading kindness and cuteness through their adorable antics.

Zackowski has even launched a podcast, “The Science Pawdcast,” which features discussions with renowned scientists and always includes a heartwarming pet story. The podcast has gained a loyal following, with listeners tuning in to hear about the latest adventures of Bunsen and BEAKER.

The duo’s popularity has even led to an unexpected invitation to meet a Boston Dynamics robot dog at the Calgary Telus Spark Science Centre. While Zackowski was thrilled by the opportunity, Bunsen and BEAKER were more interested in sniffing the robot’s non-dog-like scent.

Overall, Bunsen and BEAKER have captured the hearts of science enthusiasts and pet lovers alike, proving that a little bit of cuteness and kindness can go a long way in spreading scientific knowledge.