The regulation of foraging activity in harvester ant coloniesAnt colonies operate without central control and resemble large distributed systems. An ant's behavior depends on its recent experience of brief interactions with other ants. In the course of a brief antennal contact, one ant can assess the task of the other using odor cues. A long-term study of the ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Visualization of Quantum MechanicsProf. Wilson Ho of UC Irvine will give the Physics/Applied Physics colloquium entitled, "Visualization of Quantum Mechanics."
Recognized as one of America's most distinguished scientific experts on aging and longevity, Bortz believes that the defects of the American health-care system threaten the stability of the nation. He argues that the financial interests of biotech and drug companies have eroded the values of the medical profession and placed ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Members, $7 Students
Wednesday, 06/01/11
Science for Kids: Snow Day!Join us for a snow day at the library. Using instant snow, students will experiment with the properties of a polymer, compare real snow to instant snow, and discover how the elements (water, salt) affect instant snow (for ages 5-12).
This presentation will describe the basic large-scale and local climatology of California, the mechanisms of change, and the uncertainties associated with climate model simulations and analysis. As part of our role in the 2010 California Climate Assessment, sixteen Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change global climate models were downscaled to develop ...
Where: AlbanyCost: Free
'Earth: The Climate Wars -- Episode I: The Battle Begins'A film by Iain Stewart. In the 1970s the world seemed to be falling apart. From acid rain to overpopulation, ecological concerns were at the fore. And it was at this time that climate change first became a hot political issue. But it wasn't global warming that frightened scientists, it ...
For untold centuries, people have looked to the distant skies in search of life -- be it God-like or heavenly, demonic or the whole gamut of bizarre extraterrestrials imagined. Today, for the first time in human history, science is getting close to answering the eternal question of what lies beyond, ...
Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for ...
It has been said: both computer scientists and physicists do not understand time, but at least physicists admit it. The notion of simultaneity is a widely used and yet deeply misunderstood concept in computer science. The word "simultaneous", its derivatives and equivalent phrases are common, yet they carry conceptual baggage ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Cafe InquiryMeet up with rationalists, skeptics, and freethinkers south of San Francisco. Beers and Books is a social event co-hosted by the Center for Inquiry|San Francisco. We'll meet at Cafe Borrone http://www.cafeboronne.com/ between Kepler's Books and the British Banker's Club! Look for the black balloon.
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
explOratorium After Dark with DBR & Elan VytalDBR/Elan VytalFeaturing a Special Performance by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) and Elan Vytal (aka DJ Scientific) This After Dark features the music of Haitian-American composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR). DBR's innovative works range from orchestral scores, electronica, and chamber pieces to music for theater, film, and modern dance. For tonight's ...
The fight to restore salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest involves billions of dollars in public funds and politicking all the way up to the White House. This twisted story is captured in a new documentary airing on PBS this spring. Also this spring, a federal judge is expected to ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, Free Members, $7 Students
Ralph Merkle, the director of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, will be speaking and leading a discussion on the potential of life extension and present/future capabilities of medicine.Room M114
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Beyond Kepler: Imaging Exo-EarthsIs there another Earth out there? People have been asking this question for over two thousand years, and we finally stand on the verge of answering it. The Kepler mission (which was featured at our April meeting) will likely find the first ever Earth-sized planet around the habitable zone of ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Come to Foothill Observatory and join us in the exploration of our Universe!Foothill Observatory Friday Evening ProgramCome to Foothill Observatory and join us in the exploration of our Universe!Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's new computer-controlled 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Views ...
Where: Los Altos HillsCost:
Saturday, 06/04/11
Discovery Eco-VoyageSummer will be an amazing time to discover the bay!Join us as we take to the seas to explore all the funny, strange and wonderful things that swim, flip, and fly beneath the surface of San Francisco Bay. For this voyage, we will be departing from our dock in ...
Where: Redwood CityCost: $40 General, $10 Members
Solar ObservingRequest a parking pass from the Park Ranger at the entrance booth and/or read and adhere to the parks admission policies posted at the gate. (You will be charged the "Day Use" fee of $8.00 and receive a parking pass.) Failure to do so will result in a parking fine.
If you have ever wished to learn more about the amazing sharks, crabs, fish and sea stars from the Bay and nearshore ...
Where: Redwood CityCost: Free
Mt Tam Astronomy Program - The Milky Way as a Dark Matter LaboratoryImmerse yourself in the universe! FREE public lecture "The Milky Way as a Dark Matter Laboratory" by Dr. Michael Kuhlen of the Theoretical Astrophysics Center in the Mountain Theatre on Mt Tam at 8:30pm followed by telescope viewing in the Rock Spring Parking Lot. Sponsored by the Mount Tamalpais State ...
Where: Mill ValleyCost: FREE
Public Space Observing NightFor the evening events you are invited to join us as early as dusk, but you may choose to arrive up to two hours after twilight ends and still enjoy our full program and find the crowd smaller at the later time. The activities on a public night include an ...
Where: KenwoodCost: $3 age 18 and over, Free under 18
SMCAS Star Party Come out and bring the kids for a mind expanding look at the universe.Setup of telescopes begins around sunset, with observations beginning about 1 hour later.
Join us for a workshop that will focus on the story telling methods of conservation photography, botany in, on and around the Academy, as well as the digital darkroom. The day will be broken into two parts with the first part to take place in a classroom environment where we ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $50 General, $40 Members
Do we live in a friendly universe?Assuming life exists in other places, does love extend there also? A look at the controversy regarding whether or not it is wise to advertise our existence on earth to possible "others".A Primer on SETI, the June 5th program considers the controversy regarding whether or not it is wise to ...
Where: PetalumaCost: Free with admission to exhibit
Monday, 06/06/11
Optogenetics: development and applicationNeuroscientists are trying to gain a better understanding of severe mental disorders such as depression, autism, schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Optogenetics is a precise new way to analyze the brain circuits underpinning mammalian behavior. As a bioengineering research technique, it may be able to obtain insights into how nervous cells ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Big Thinking: The Power of NanoscienceBerkeley Lab scientists reveal how nanoscience will bring us cleaner energy, faster computers, and improved medicine.
Anyone can help discover new stuff in Galaxy Zoo- but why do people bother in the first place? Dr. Raddick responds with some unexpected insight into why people donate their time for open science and what they have discovered through the process. More than 250,000 people have taken part in ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $6 Members, $10 Seniors
