There are 1,024 naturally occurring, mostly Asian, species of rhododendrons, the largest genus in the Ericaceae, or heath family. How are all these magnificently diverse plants classified, and by what criteria do the botanists even begin to separate them? Now, with genetic and chemical analyses, their relationships to each other ...
John A. Amster: Patents in the Boardroom – The Truth Behind the HeadlinesPatents have been big news in recent years. Large electronics rivals have made headlines by waging high-stakes legal battles over infringement of smartphone patents. Bankrupt companies have auctioned off their patent portfolios for hundreds of millions – or even billions – of dollars. The most significant development affecting patents, however, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students
'The Secret Lives of Monarchs', Film Screening and Release PartyCome preview the newly released "Secret Lives of Monarchs, " A film by Bill Levinson. Monarchs, like their royal namesake, have a flashy life as they they show off in public with flamboyant colors and dazzling aerobatics. But they also have a private life they just a soon keep secret ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $10 (register online)
Robot NightlifeIt's a robot world-we're just living in it. This week, encounter robots of all sizes, shapes and functions. Meet your maker bot with Evil Mad Scientist, Type A Machines, and Other Machine Co.Watch a robot boxing match by Other Lab, have a conversation with Bot & Dolly's "Scout", and participate ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Members
The Healthful Properties of Spices and How to Add Them to Your DietThe Ernest Rosenbaum Cancer Survivorship Lecture Series is open to all cancer patients and their support. The series covers topics relevant to physical, emotional and practical issues of cancer patients in any phase of treatment and survivorship.Speaker: Sangeeta Agarawal
Climatologists are using observational history, climate and earth system physics and computer modeling to develop plausible scenarios of California's changing climate.How much will California's climate warm in future decades, and what are the greatest vulnerabilites to climate change?Experts are investigating how climate change might impact resources that are crucial to ...
Feeling stressed? The 24/7/365 nature of Silicon Valley work life can take a toll on performance, health, and happiness. Cultivating resilience is a critical professional skill. Join us to learn science-based yet practical approaches to reducing and managing stress, boosting energy, and enhancing focus and productivity.Speaker: Dr. Jay Azarow, Consultant
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
The Science of LasersJoin Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman for colorful explorations of the physical world.In 1960, the laser was known as "a solution looking for a problem." Now we can hardly imagine life without them. Learn what's special about laser light, how it's made, and how it's used in everything from DVD players ...
The Age of Radiance is the first full history of the Atomic Age, from x-rays to Marie Curie to Los Alamos, Hiroshima, Mutual Assured Destruction, Dr. Strangelove, the Nevada Test Site, and the 2011 meltdown in Japan.The Atomic Age began with a past-his-prime German physicist working in a Frankenstein-style lab. ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Friday, 03/28/14
Children's Health, Mental Health, and the Law, Day 1Friday, March 288:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast 9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks - Chancellor and Dean Frank H. Wu 9:15-10:45 Panel 1: Controversies in Childhood Immunization Policy 10:45-11:00 Break 11:00-12:30 Panel 2: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Future of Children's ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
BioBlitz 2014: Golden Gate National Parks & Biodiversity FestivalCalling all citizen scientists! Join National Geographic, the National Park Service, the Parks Conservancy, and The Presidio Trust for BioBlitz 2014 in the Golden Gate National Parks. BioBlitz is a 24-hour event in which scientist-led inventory teams work together to find, identify, and document as many species of plants, animals, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Get Your Goose On! Nature Program for KidsEver wonder about the San Francisco Bay wetlands and the wildlife in your very own backyard? Join us for an adventure here at your local library. You'll get up close and personal with real feet and beaks of birds while you play bird games and create your own wild craft. ...
Seals and Slippers: Sleep under the stars at The Marine Mammal CenterLast fall we piloted our first ever sleepover at The Marine Mammal Center. Five lucky families camped out under the stars accompanied by the sounds of barking sea lions. Parents and children took part in a variety of educational programs including fish dissections in the Necropsy Lab, they watched a ...
Where: SausalitoCost: $85 each (parent and child)
Saturday, 03/29/14
Children's Health, Mental Health, and the Law, Day 2Failing our Kids: The Mental Health "Non-System"8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast 9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks - Professor Lois Weithorn, JD, PhD9:15-10:45 Panel 5: Meeting Children's Mental Health Needs Across Systems10:45-11:00 Break11:00-12:30 Panel 6: Psychotropic Medications and Children: Science, Law and Policy
Calling all citizen scientists! Join National Geographic, the National Park Service, the Parks Conservancy, and The Presidio Trust for BioBlitz 2014 in the Golden Gate National Parks. BioBlitz is a 24-hour event in which scientist-led inventory teams work together to find, identify and document as many species of plants, animals, ...
Where: Cost: Free
Eye-Opening Science: The Changing Oceans: California's Changing OceansThroughout evolutionary history, California's oceans have undergone tremendous changes in temperature and in the biotas-and food webs-they support. With the increasing density of human populations, other changes have been occurring that impact the dynamics of our local ecosystems. What changes have we seen historically? What are the biggest changes brought ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $35 General, $20 Members and Seniors
Back in Time18,000 years ago there was no SF Bay Estuary and the delta was in a whole different location. More recently, the last 160 years ago has dramatically changed these formations again. Join Ranger Linda and watch the Bay Model fill. Watch an accelerated time lapse and see how one of ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
For Goodness SnakesThis one-of-a-kind educational experience will introduce children to the fascinating world of snakes and other reptiles. Come enjoy the opportunity to hold and interact with the docile animals of For Goodness Snakes.
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Robert Ferguson Observatory-Public Solar ObservingCome up and join us for at the Robert Ferguson Observatory for a wonderful time of Solar Observing. Here is a safe opportunity to both 'see and hear' our closest star, the Sun. Our experienced Docents will be at your side to assist and answer any questions you may have.Each ...
Where: KenwoodCost: $8.00
Save The Frogs! Education Center Grand OpeningOur frog-filled extravaganza will commence at high noon with a two hour frogging expedition to find and photograph native amphibians in the Berkeley hills. All afternoon at the Education Center we will have presentations about California's native amphibians, local and global conservation issues, and the history and future of SAVE ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: free
Saturday Cinema: Bodies in MotionFrom a rare 19th century chronophotography experiment by Lucien Bull and Étienne-Jules Marey to a transfixing thrill ride of a car roaring through Paris, these action-packed short films reveal movement that eludes the naked eye.
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19-$25
Techtorials: Design an Interactive GameJoin us at the Lawrence Hall of Science for our first Techtorials workshop! Learn how to use Scratch, an entry-level programming language, to make big ideas into quick prototypes. Exercise your imagination to turn everyday objects into control pads with the weird and wonderful MaKey MaKey. The Lawrence Hall of ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $30
For Goodness SnakesThis one-of-a-kind educational experience will introduce children to the fascinating world of snakes and other reptiles. Come enjoy the opportunity to hold and interact with the docile animals of For Goodness Snakes.
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Sunday, 03/30/14
Wildflower Hike at Olompali State Historic Park The Olompali People board member Clint Kellner will lead us on a moderate 2.3 mile hike of the Miwok Loop trail where we will look for coral root orchids, serviceberry, and other spring blooming plants. We will also see the rare Napa false indigo shrub and a pristine example of ...
Where: NovatoCost: $8 per car for parking
Junior Academy: Naturalist Know-howCalifornia Academy of SciencesSundays at 2pm – 2:45pm (sign-up at 1:30pm) Naturalist Center / Lab (Level 3 across from the Planetarium exit)This program is designed for youth ages 8 to 11. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20 youth with attending adults. Onsite registration is ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Academy admission
Light-pulse atom interferometry enables precision tests of gravity, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics, as well as practical applications in inertial navigation, geodesy, and timekeeping. In our 10-meter atomic fountain, designed for a precision test of the weak equivalence principle, we have demonstrated an acceleration sensitivity of 6.7 x 10^{-12} g, the ...
Critical, imminent changes in the world energy portfolio have amplified pressure on development of advanced energy storage technology, for the grid, automotive and consumer electronics sectors. Technology advances are not only required to enable the largest entry of people to the middle classes in human history, but also to avert ...
The detection of over 3000 new exoplanets by the NASA Kepler mission has opened up the possibility to infer the occurrence rate of planets in the habitable zones of stars in our galaxy. However, both the characteristics of the detected planets and their occurrence rates crucially depend on our understanding ...
California is currently experiencing the deepest drought in 500 years, yet its effects are more severe in some parts of the state than others. Learn how bad it is for the Bay Area and what's being done to stretch water supplies until the next wet year.
Where: San JoseCost: $10 General, Free for members
Night Sky Series, Class #5ROBERT FERGUSON OBSERVATORY - NIGHT SKY SERIESThe Seasonal Skies: Arcturus and Spica, Leo, Boötes, Canes Venatici, The planet MarsPlease join us and instructor Jack Welch as we learn about our seasonal night skys through a very informative lecture, and then hands on stargazing with the Observatory's telescopes. You will be able ...
Where: KenwoodCost: $23.00
Wednesday, 04/02/14
Free Days at Bay Area Discovery MuseumPlease join us for free on the first Wednesday of each month for a full day of creative and fun experiences for all.F
7:00-7:25: Jim Crutchfield(UC Davis/ Chaos Scientist) on "Hidden Fragility"Abstract...Read more7:25-7:50: Johanna Drucker(UCLA/ Digital Humanities) on ""Abstract...Read more7:50-8:10: BREAK. Before or after the break, anyone in the audience currently working within the intersections of art and science will have 30 seconds to share their work. Please present your work ...
As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management presents journalist Chris Mooney as the 2014 Hans Jenny Memorial Lecturer. Mooney is author of Unscientific America and The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality (among others), and has contributed ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
'Mad Cows, Cannibals, Neurodegeneration and Why It's So Damn Difficult to Cure Alzheimer's Disease'Proteins - little machines in our bodies - are essential for life. However, at times, proteins can change shape, with disastrous consequences. I will give a brief history of prion diseases, such as mad cow disease, and the links to more general neurodegenerative syndromes. I will then discuss new findings ...
