While we wait for the mainstream scientific community to work out how blockain systems will fit into their world, I think one area worth looking at would be the diybio movement, because there is already a very active maker/diy community on Steem and I think in the same way diybio is a much easier entry path for promoting STEM in the blockchain ecosystem/economy. I am involved in @steemmakers and there is also @thesteemhouse project that are both trying to promote innovation and encourage the maker/diy movement. I think this could be quite interesting for Steemit.