3rd Annual Wine Country Optics & Nature FestivalSonoma Birding will host another festive day long event featuring most of the major binoculars and scopes companies in the USA along with extraordinary nature organizations along with distinguished nature artists and authors from Northern California.
Where: SonomaCost: Free
Marine Mamal Sunday: Orcas and SharksThe size, strength and skills of the ocean's top predators are simply one of a kind. This month we celebrate National Wildlife Day with those animals that rule the ocean in Top Predators: Orcas and Sharks! Come learn more at Marine Science Sunday - fun educational programs for kids and adults! ...
Our Hawk Talks and Banding Demonstrations occur every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2pm (weather permitting – heavy fog or rain cancels) during September and October. The Hawk Talk begins at noon, when a GGRO volunteer speaks about hawk migration and identification, and what we do here at the ...
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FORECASTINGDr. Robert Van Buskirk of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will discuss the formulation of a "Moore's Law" for green energy (and other) technologies
Where: Rohnert ParkCost: Free
Tuesday, 09/16/14
Mars: Periglacial morphology and ice stabilityAt the Mars Phoenix landing site and in much of the martian northern plains, there is ice-cemented ground beneath a layer of dry permafrost. Unlike most permafrost on Earth, though, this ice is not liquid at anytime of year. However, in past epochs at higher obliquity the surface conditions during ...
Go Wild! 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 very own wild ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Forest Fire and Fungi: losers, winners, and strategies in the postfire environmentFire is a natural part of most western forest ecosystems, and while plant strategies for surviving or recolonizing after fire are well known, much less is known about how fungi deal with this common disturbance. This talk will review some of the details that are known about how saprobic and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Growing Up OhloneThe Native American in the Fremont area were able to survive on the native trees and animals. Learn about tule plants by making a doll and explore the seeds that they were able to eat. Look at some of the arrowheads that they used nature to survive.
Where: FremontCost: Free
Drew Endy presents The iGEM RevolutioniGEM stands for "International Genetically Engineered Machine."Thousands of student bioengineers from all over the world create new life forms and race them every year at the iGEM Jamboree in Boston. It has been going on for ten years (2,500 competitors this year, from 32 countries) and gives a peerless window ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15, free for Long Now members
Explore our local wildlife and how they have adapted to their environment by examining various animal pelts and skulls with Ranger Michelle. Discover various clues animals leave behind that tell us interesting stories about the amazing animals that make Muir Woods their home. This is a family friendly, two-mile walk ...
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Free w/reservation
Digital Agenda for EuropeThe European Commission launched in March 2010 the Europe 2020 Strategy to exit the crisis and prepare the EU economy for the challenges of the next decade. Europe 2020 sets out a vision to achieve high levels of employment, a low carbon economy, productivity and social cohesion, to be implemented ...
The provision of water in large metropolitan areas is often considered to be best governed by a centralized authority, capable of providing standardized services across an otherwise-varied landscape - what Graham and Marvin refer to as the "modern infrastructural ideal." Yet, in many cases, this ideal has not been fully achieved. ...
Poet, essayist, and naturalist, Diane Ackerman is the author of two dozen highly acclaimed works of nonfiction and poetry, including The Zookeeper's Wife and A Natural History of the Senses ― books beloved by millions of readers all over the world. In prose so rich and evocative that one can ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 members
Black Widow Pulsars: Vengeful Star CorpsesNASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed a violent high-energy universe full of stellar explosions, black hole jets, and pulsing stars. These cosmic objects are often faint when observed with visible light, but glow bright with gamma rays. Dr. Romani will describe the quest to discover the true nature of ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Nerd Nite SF #52: Infantapulting, Dragonflies, and the BodyMy, oh my, the things we will see! Infantapulting, dragonflies, and the body! Come learn the "science" behind launching a baby, the real science of dragonflies and their ecology, and the things you don't want to know (but should!) about human biology. So come and drink beer, and laugh till ...
Since Fall 2002, the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering has hosted the Silicon Valley Leaders Symposium (SVLS). The Symposium hosts industry and technology leaders to talk about business and technology trends. It also features prominent leaders who discuss broader societal and political issues that shape our life and society.Speaker: Raji ...
In this talk, Dr. Whitney Phillips (Communication Studies, Humboldt State University) will discuss her forthcoming book This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Mapping the Relationship between Online Trolling and Mainstream Culture (MIT Press 2015). Unlike most popular accounts of trolling, which place the problem of antagonistic online behavior ...
Over the past decade, slow but steady progress has been made in the field of autonomous chemical sensors for the CO2 system. My group has been involved in the use of ISFET pH sensor technology in particular. This seminar will provide an overview of the emerging data from the pH ...
PREDICTING STRONG EARTHQUAKE SHAKING USING OCEAN WAVES Predicting strong ground motion, as the strong shaking in earthquakes is called, from future earthquakes is among the most important research topics in seismology. Typically, seismologists do this through ground motion prediction equations that express relationships between earthquake characteristics and ground motion intensity. There is relatively little data to constrain ...
AI and Robotics at an Inflection Point Google, IBM, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Baidu, Foxconn, and others have recently made multi-billion dollar investments in artificial intelligence and robotics. Some of these investments are aimed at increasing productivity and enhancing coordination and cooperation. Others are aimed at creating strategic gains in competitive interactions. This is creating "arms races" in ...
"Plastic Planet" will dive deeply into the issue of marine debris and plastic pollution, and will highlight the work of our partners at the 5 Gyres Institute and the Sea Doc Society. 5 Gyres Executive Director Anna Cummins and 5 Gyres Research Director Marcus Ericsen, via satellite communication from the ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10
Genetic Rescue for Extinct and Endangered WildlifeStewart Brand and Ryan Phelan seek to restore extinct species to their former homes in the wild. Their organization Revive & Restore's flagship project The Great Passenger Pigeon Comeback is underway to bring the iconic passenger pigeon back from extinction using the genome of the band-tailed pigeon and genomic technology. ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Member
Ruth S. DeFries: The Big Ratchet – How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural CrisisRuth S. DeFries, Denning Family Professor of Sustainable Development and Chair, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University; Author, The Big RatchetThe Big Ratchet is the story of how in the 20th century a range of technologies – from fossil fuels to scientific plant breeding to nitrogen fertilizers – combined ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students
'How We Learn'What if almost everything we know about learning was wrong? With our brain sensitive to mood, timing, location, and environment, hear the truth about how we absorb and retain information. Find out if repetition is necessary, why sleeping and daydreaming are important to the learning process, and the best techniques ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: $12-$20
Demonically-possessed CatsDr. Paul Koudounaris--author of Empire of Death and Heavenly Bodies--is returning to the Bone Room Presents. He will provide a lecture on the history of demonically-possessed cats. Felines were once considered by theologians to be easy prey for demons, who could enter their bodies and wreck incredible havoc on mankind. ...
Ever heard of Ardipithecus kadabba, Australopithecus anamensis, Paranthropus aethiopicus, Homo rhodesiensis? Oh my! Do you know how these early "humans" differ from each other? Does the large array of named species help us understand our evolutionary history, or just confuse matters? What IS a hominid species, anyway? Who decides how ...
Audubon scientists recently completed a comprehensive analysis modeling the winter and summer ranges of 588 North American bird species in response to future climate change. Using extensive citizen science data and detailed climate layers, these models characterize the relationship between the distribution of each species and climate through the end ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $5 General, Free for members
SFPUC HQ as a Wastewater Treatment SystemThe SFPUC built a new building very recently. John Scarpulla will tell us about how the new HQ building functions as a wastewater treatment system using an internal artificial swamp. The building is impressive in a lot of ways: consuming 32% less energy, 60% less water, and a 50% smaller ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Friday, 09/19/14
Blending Science Engineering and DesignHigh-Impact Research strategies could help large and small projects to deepen human understanding of the natural and made worlds, so as to promote sustainable use of natural resources and improve quality of life for individuals, organizations, communities, and nations. The raised expectations are that by addressing basic and applied research ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
The Haze Clears: The Checkered Past & Brilliant Future of Medical Marijuana in CaliforniaTwo decades after Prop 215, the state legislature remains unable to regulate medical marijuana despite recent law enforcement support. Join Backes and Hecht as they dissect California's attempts to regulate, supporess and understand medical marijuana. They say that nearly everything Californians believe about marijuana is wrong, skewed by a century ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $7 to $20
Maximizing Human Potential Using Machine Learning-Driven ApplicationsThe elusive quest to identify and place skilled professionals has become an obsession in the talent wars of the tech industry (not to mention in schools from K though Postdoc). Respected companies such as Google have applied enormous resources to predicting the best developers and managers, and yet they also ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Go Wild! 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 very own wild ...
California Coastal Cleanup Day - MarinState to make a difference on Saturday, September 20th. With over 35 sites in Marin County, check the Bay Model website for a volunteer opportunity near you. http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/BayModelVisitorCenter/CCCD.aspx
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Coastal Cleanup - FremontJoin thousands of people around the world for International Coastal Clean-Up Day. Bring a hat, sturdy shoes, water, sunscreen, and gloves and a refillable water bottle if you have them. Children under 18 must have parental approval. Speed up the registration process by downloading and completing the Volunteer Agreement Form (pdf) and bring it to the event. For more ...
Where: FremontCost: Free
Coastal Cleanup - MontaraEvery year, on the third Saturday in September, people join together at sites all over California to take part in the State's largest volunteer event, California Coastal Cleanup Day. This year MSI will be cleaning up a brand new site in Montara, Grey Whale Cove! Join us and thousands of ...
Take an easy two-mile walk with Ranger Lou around an ecological restoration site to learn how the needs of salmon and frogs can inspire people to create habitat for endangered and threatened species during a time of climate change, and still meet the recreational needs of visitors at this popular ...
Where: Muir BeachCost: Free w/reservation
Hayward Fault Walking TourOver the last million years, the natural beauty of Fremont has been shaped by the Hayward Fault. Instructors will be leading these 'ground breaking' tours and exposing the science and beauty of the Hayward Fault. This fault is one of several active faults in the world actually creeping at 5 ...
Where: FremontCost: $15
Coastal Cleanup - AlvisoCome help out as we join others around the world in an effort to keep our coastal areas clean! Together with other courageous Californians, we'll pick up trash and tidy up the wetland areas near the refuge. Come with a hat, sunscreen, a great attitude, and we'll provide the rest! ...
Where: AlvisoCost: Free
Coastal Cleanup on Cerrito CreekJoin F5C and El Cerrito Green Teams picking up trash along the creek and in surrounding areas, where it will wash to the creek when rains start. Meet at El Cerrito's Creekside Park, south end of Belmont Street.
Where: El CerritoCost: Free
Big Engineering DayBig Engineering Day highlights the importance of everyday engineering and the tools we use to bring big ideas to fruition. How do thoughts become things? From brainstorming - think blue prints, computer rendering and sketches - to being - think, machinery, construction and computers. Engage your creativity and structural sensibilities ...
Our Hawk Talks and Banding Demonstrations occur every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2pm (weather permitting – heavy fog or rain cancels) during September and October. The Hawk Talk begins at noon, when a GGRO volunteer speaks about hawk migration and identification, and what we do here at the ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
The Electrifying UniverseKen Miller will open up his mechanical treasures and delight you with his electrical magic. Ken, an electrical engineers loves to teach young minds the wonder of science through electricity and looking at the stars in the star dome that he created for the museum. Great opportunity for students to ...
Where: FremontCost: $5 General, $3 Member child, free member adults
