Insect-induced Plant Galls of CaliforniaPlant galls provide a fascinating array of color and texture on most of the plants in our California landscape. Galls, growths of plant cells that are not normal plant organs, can be induced by a number of organisms. The most numerous as well as most beautiful and intriguing are those ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $140 General, $115 Jepson Friends
Medicinal Plants of the Bay AreaFrom the mist shrouded sea cliffs to the sun-baked arid expanse of its eastern most regions, the San Francisco Bay area provides us with a chance to view a large variety of botanical specimens all within a relatively small geographical range. Join us as we discover together the diverse array ...
Come to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands and get an up-close view of the fall raptor migration with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), a cooperative program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service.A GGRO docent gives an hour-long talk about hawk monitoring and identification ...
Sharks and rays are well adapted for life in the ocean, some as top predators. Join Greg Cailliet of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories as he provides insight into the methods that scientists use to study these incredible creatures including their population ecology, and aspects of their life histories, such as ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
Religion and Science Part 1: Beliefs and the BrainPanel discussion with Drs. PZ Myers, William Hurlbut and Mahan MirzaInside Islamic Science: Dialogues and DiscussionsModerated by Angie CoiroThe events are moderated by acclaimed interviewer Angie Coiro.Each interview, panel discussion, or lecture offers constructive dialogue on culture, religion, knowledge and beliefs, sparked by The Tech Museum's latest exhibition, Islamic Science ...
California reservoirs are at healthy levels this year but the state's water system remains in crisis. Projected changes in the Sierra snowpack and precipitation patterns along with growing population present challenges for hydrating the state's citizens and economy. How will the federal government help the state secure future water supplies ...
Catalysis and EnergyHeterogeneous catalysis is a key technology for chemical synthesis and for production of fuels. Fundamental studies of reactive processes provide a framework for increasing energy efficiency in large-‐scale processes. An overview of challenges in catalysis and examples of how fundamental studies provide guiding principles for developing more efficient, "green" processes ...
Many think of Death Valley as a land of geological wonder and remarkable wildflowers, but few know its protection has not been simple. Ackerman will speak about the conflicting forces driving decisions made in Death Valley, part of the National Park Service for nearly 80 years. Ackerman will discuss policies ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, Free for Members, $7 Students
In recent years, scientists have recorded dramatic drops in fisheries catches around the world. But what if the declines are even greater than we've realized? Dr. Jackson examines how we know what we think we know about the changing oceans with some of the top names in marine science and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Seniors and Members
Burn Morels in the DNA AgeTodd Osmundson will discuss the state of morel taxonomy and his current research on morel diversity in post-burn habitats, using this work to put "DNA taxonomy" and its frequent - and sometimes bewildering - name changes into perspective. For more information on Todd's research, see: http://nature.berkeley.edu/~tosmunds.Speaker: Todd Osmundson, UC Berkeley
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Wednesday, 09/21/11
Free Wednesday at Cal AcademyFree admission is available to visitors on the third Wednesday of every month, through the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation. Admission is on a first come, first served basis, and early arrival is recommended due to the likelihood of high demand. Also, please note that final entry to the ...
Organohalogen flame retardants, structurally similar to banned substances such as DDT and PCBs, are used at high levels in furniture, baby products, and other consumer and building products. These chemicals are semi-volatile and migrate from products into dust which ends up in people, animals, and the environment. Extensive research shows ...
Looking Around Corners: New Opportunities in Femto-PhotographyCan we look around corners beyond the line of sight? Our goal is to exploit the finite speed of light to improve image capture and scene understanding. New theoretical analysis coupled with emerging ultra-high-speed imaging techniques can lead to a new source of computational visual perception. We are developing the ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Passive House in California - Success in SustainabilityThe Passive House Standard is a rigorous, voluntary energy efficiency standard for buildings of all types that originated in Europe in the late 1980s. The first Passive House building in the US was constructed in Urbana, Illinois in 2003 and the first Passive House retrofit in California was completed in ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 Members Advance, $15 General and at door
Think Art-Act ScienceThink Art-Act Science is an exhibition of projects by artists who took part in the Swiss artists-in-labs program, completing an immersive nine-month residency in a scientific research institute or a university science department. During these residencies, the artists gained deep insights into the methodologies of scientific research in areas ranging ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
SpaceX and the Dragon SpacecraftWith the retirement of the Space Shuttle this past summer the United States entered a new era, one in which U.S. astronauts will be flying only aboard the Russian Soyuz vehicle in order to access Low Earth Orbit and the International Space Station. California headquartered Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Nerd Nite SF #16: Special Effects, Beer, and UrbanismBeer! The city! Tiny spaceships that get blown up! September brings back-to-school back-to-stage and back-to-the-bar, as we hear from experts on practical special effects, the history of beer, and the urban land- and mindscape. Be there and be square!"Practical Special Effects: Livin' Large in Miniature" by Fon DavisFon is a ...
Speaker: Professor Alastair Iles, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Division of Society & EnvironmentRoom 470
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Explorer 1 AnomolyOn January 31, 1958, NASA successfully launched America's first satellite, Explorer I, into orbit around the Earth. As is well known, not only did this achieve the political goal of putting the United States back in the space race it was losing badly to the Soviet Union, but instruments onboard ...
Nutrition and Cancer: Some Myths and LegendsWhen someone is diagnosed with cancer, the search is on for information. People look to something they can control, like food. There are often many misconceptions out there regarding food which can be confusing. This talk will focus on some of these "questionable" foods/nutrients and help you understand the real story.Speaker: ...
Ground water is among the Nation's most important natural resources, providing half of our drinking water as well as being essential to agriculture and industry, and the health of ecosystems throughout the country During the past 50 years, groundwater depletion has spread from isolated pockets to large areas in many ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Does the Weirdness of Quantum Physics Influence the Brain?Neuroscientists say that there is a mystery at the core of our understanding of consciousness. Physicists say that there is a mystery at the core of our understanding of quantum mechanics. Do these two mysteries have anything to do with each other? UC Berkeley physicist Stan Klein, a founding member ...
The talk will describe (technically, but in laymen's terms) what happened at the Fukushima reactors during and after the disastrous March 11 earthquake and tsunami, what the radioactive releases have been and what they mean, and what the path forward seems to be at the site. The potential implications that ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Open Space Authority presents: Outreach to the Outdoors!Come learn all about the mysterious and beautiful plants and animals that live right here in your open spaces. See what we have in store for Fall hikes and adventures for you, your friends and your family. Come meet the people who love to show you the nature in your ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Neptune NightGetting the blues never felt so good. Mark the anniversary of Neptune's first solar orbit since its discovery. This blue-themed event will be fun for all ages as visitors enjoy hands-on activities, point telescopes to the sky for some nighttime viewing and engage in conversations about the blue planet.
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
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 ...
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, entry is free today to Muir Woods National Monument.For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/muwo.
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Free
San José Clean Energy ShowcaseCome see the latest in solar, wind turbine, electric vehicle and solar hot water technologies. Bring the family and get everyone excited about clean energy! The time for clean energy is now! With money-saving rebates from the State, making home energy improvements has never been easier or more affordable. Come ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Kids Bird Count in the PresidioDid you know that the Presidio is a birding hotspot in the Bay Area? After a short "binocular bootcamp and birding basics" kids and their families will join experienced birders in teams on different routes throughout the Presidio. After an easy 2 hour walk counting observed bird life, groups will ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
MechanicrawlSpend a delightful day exploring the mechanical marvels along San Francisco's North Shore. See giant running steam engines, turn-of-the-century automata, mechanical computers, a wave organ, an 8 foot high mechanical planetarium, vintage steam boats and more...You'll be able to map your own route for the event and spend as much ...
Join Aquarium of the Bay and others at AnimalPalooza. Come to a wild celebration of animals that brings you closer to nature than ever before. Experience up-close, hands-on encounters with animals from around the world. Touch a shark jaw, hold a beetle, stroke a millipede, hug a python, befriend a frog, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $16.95 Adults, $10 Children & Seniors, $46 Family
Gold Fever: How the Gold Rush Forever Changed SF BayIn 1848 gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, luring people by the thousands to California. Join Ranger Tammi to find out how this event changed San Francisco Bay forever.
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
FIRST Robotics LeagueWhat the Olympics are for sports and the Nobel Prize is to science, FIRST Robotics is to kid's engineering.Take part in the most prestigious robotics competition for youth in the world this fall by joining Celsius and Beyond team. You will learn about project management, computer programming, robotics design, analytical ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $950 advance, $330 per month
Come to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands and get an up-close view of the fall raptor migration with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), a cooperative program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service.A GGRO docent gives an hour-long talk about hawk monitoring and identification ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Robert Ferguson Observatory - Public Solar ViewingSeptember 24 Solar: Noon - 4:00 PM Observatory Admission: Solar Viewing and Planet-Walk are FREE.Docents will be on hand to safely show you our only star; the Sun, through specially filtered telesccopes and other devices. This is both a fun and safe experience for the whole family! Tours of the observatory ...
Where: KenwoodCost: Free - Donations accepted.
Could a Biblical Ark Flood Strike California?Is there really evidence to support that there are times when it can actually rain as long as 40 days and 40 nights in CA? Where will all that water go? Meet Ranger Linda at the reception desk, and find out more.
The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals. In 2009, the center opened a new facility in its original location in the Marin Headlands, a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. ...
Where: SausalitoCost:
NASA Interplanetary Missions with NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Eric NorrisNASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Eric B. Norris will present an exciting multimedia look at current NASA interplanetary missions, including the Dawn mission to Vesta, the Juno mission to Jupiter, and the soon-to-be-launched Mars Curiosity Rover. Eric will also update us on other missions throughout the solar system from Mercury to Pluto.
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Robert Ferguson Observatory - Public Observing NightThe Robert Ferguson Oservatory (RFO) is open to the public at least once a month, usually on a Saturday near the time of the New Moon. Solar telescopes are set up during the day so you can safely look at and listen to the Sun.Starting at dusk, the observatory's three ...
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.
