BIG BANG MACHINE A presentation of the PBS Nova episode "BIG BANG MACHINE" which chronicles the discovery of the Higgs Boson at the Large Hadron Collider.
Potentially biogenic carbon preserved in a 4.1 billion year old zirconAlthough our planet is approximately 4.5 billion years old (Ga), Earth's fossil record extends only to 3.5 Ga, the chemofossil record arguably to 3.8 Ga, and the rock record to 4.0 Ga. However, detrital zircons from Jack Hills, Western Australia range in age up to nearly 4.4 Ga. From a ...
Sufficient, healthy wetlands, marshes and tidal areas are essential to protecting the region's many homes and workplaces from future flooding, but our local baylands have been significantly diminished and are threatened by future sea level rise. A new report developed by hundreds of scientists, and led by the California Coastal ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, Free for members
Robots once were a dream of the future, but they now creep into all aspects of our lives, whether it be vacuuming our house or exploring distant planets. Rehabilitation and mobility are no different. Exoskeletons can provide the motion and support that a user cannot, supplementing or replacing their muscles ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Creative Collisions: Meetup FairIntroducing a made-for-all one-of-a-kind event: the Meetup Fair, a gathering of meetup groups from across the Bay Area. Meetup Fair is an event of Creative Collisions, an evening series at The Tech generously sponsored by the Swanson Family. We'll have crafts and Quidditch. Singers and drummers. Business and art and ...
Where: San JoseCost: $15
Fremont in the Ice AgeThe Ice Age is defined in North American from the fossils found in Irvington. New fossils found in the Warm Springs district bring more information of how the large mammals in Fremont disappeared. Activities will include making headbands, footprints, and more.
Earth Under WaterNational Geographic explores the potential effects of sea level rise on our civilization over the next few centuries. "Earth Under Water" explains the science behind the prediction of sea level rise and shows what will happen if the levels rise with increasing speed. Then, we fast forward to the 23rd ...
Join anthropologist David Puts as we explore the origins of human sexuality by looking at the evolution of sexual differences in the human voice. The roar of the male lion may indeed scare away his rivals, but it might also attract female lions looking for a dominant mate. This is sexual ...
Throughout the entire history of life on Earth, we have been at the mercy of the deadly impacts by rocks from space. Just ask the dinosaurs! On multiple occasions, devastating impacts from Near Earth Objects (NEOs) have probably wiped out life on Earth, requiring life here to start over again. ...
Speaker: Scott Mauvais is the Director, Technology & Civic Innovation at Microsoft and works with government and civic leaders, and the citizens they serve, to tackle urban challenges.
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: The Last DoublingIs growth always good? The biggest threat to our existence on planet Earth isn't asteroids-it's us. Why can't our population continue to grow? Learn about the exponential function and the conclusions we can draw from it.Talks at 1:00 and 3:00
Will Facebook play a decisive role in the 2016 presidential primaries? Should Twitter be blamed for the rise of the Islamic State? Has the Chinese government successfully marginalized political dissent by controlling the companies that run Chinaâs Internet? The fast-evolving power relationships â and clashes â among governments, corporations, and ...
Fungal Philosophies - Mythbuster, or Fungal Fables DebunkedDanny Miller, our guest speaker from the Pacific Northwest will talk to us about an entertaining look at common mushroom myths and the truth about them.Editor's Note: This event was originally listed at an incorrect venue.
Pacific Institute President Peter Gleick will lead an engaging discussion of our region's most pressing water questions, issues, and solutions. Dr. Gleick is a renowned water expert whose research and writing address the critical connections between water and human health, the hydrologic impacts of climate change, sustainable water use, privatization ...
Where: SunnyvaleCost: $10 General, Free for members
Nerd Nite #69: Sutro Baths, Psychedelic Data Science, and Blowing Up Bridges!Remember the legendary PSA with the egg and the frying pan? We'll find out what our brains REALLY look like when they're on drugs, and we'll also swim back in time to the saltwater pools of the Sutro Baths and thrill to some Texan bridge demolition porn. This is your ...
Where: San FranciscoCost:
Thursday, 02/18/16
Compact Object Mergers Binary compact object mergers are among the primary gravitational wave sources expected to be observed by the next generation of ground-based gravitational wave detectors. Mergers where one or both compact objects are neutron stars will further produce electromagnetic emission, and coincident observation of this together with gravitational wave emission could ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Coastal Paleontology Monitoring at Point ReyesSpeaker: Lillian Pearson, Geological Society of America Intern, Point Reyes National Seashore Association Intern, UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology
California is home to extraordinary biological diversity. Over 7,000 species of plants, birds, mammals, and reptiles inhabit the state's diverse regions, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. California also has a long history of human modification. The Central Valley has been radically changed from its natural state into ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: TBA
How and Why We Control Invasives in the ParkJoin Liz Ponzini (Manager, Tennessee Valley Nursery), for this informative and interesting class on something we should all be aware of: the threats posed to the parks by invasive plants. Learn results of research within the park showing negative effects to habitat value when non-native invasive plants are introduced; as ...
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Donation encouraged
Bleeding Edge FPGA and Digital Design: New Challenges At High Gigabit RatesToday's ASICs and FPGAs include multi-gigabit data transceivers that operate at 28 Gigabits per second. Future 56 Gigabit per second links are being designed and will arrive soon. Problems have been encountered in making these new data links eliable. The physics of PC Board signal transmission at these rates is ...
Where: Rohnert ParkCost: Free
Water DetectivesIn Matamoros, Mexico, a severe water shortage led to a one-of-a-kind solution: The city put local children in charge of changing adults' attitudes and habits. Thousands of schoolchildren were enlisted as "water detectives." Educated about resource conservation, they were encouraged to discuss proper water usage with adults and were authorized ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Bio-Inspired Sensors for Wearable Electronics and Prosthetics Electronics have become increasingly integrated in our daily lives through the invention of devices such as cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, and wearable fitness trackers. As this trend continues and electronics are integrated on the body or in the body, the mechanical properties of electronics become a central issue. This talk ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Noise Pop NightlifeKick off Noise Pop 2016with sound inspired science and live performances by indie rockers Gardens & Villa and opening act Charlie Hilton (of the band Blouse).The Vinyl Room (African Hall) 6:00 - 10:00pm, Take vinyl safari through crates of vintage records and take a peek at some great album and poster art in Amoeba Music's mobile ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
The 49ers Champion Levi's® Stadium: The First LEED Gold New Stadium and Venue - POSTPONEDAchieving the LEED gold certification for the 49ers new home field is the first such championship achievement for a new stadium. Its builders hope it will serve as a model for sports leadership in environmental design and construction worldwide. Join us to learn about the sustainable management, design, function and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $8 Members, $7 Students
Watching the Universe Grow Up: Snapshots Through Time Using Radio WavesHow did the first generation of stars and galaxies form in our Universe? Astronomers don't know, but they have ideas-which are hard to confirm.Join Adrian Liu for a "sneak preview" of what will come in the next few years, as a new technique known as "21cm cosmology" revolutionizes our understanding ...
Thousands of migrating ducks, grebes, coots, and loons arrive in California each winter. While they seem plentiful, nearly one-third of waterbird populations are declining, including Surf Scoters and Lesser Scaups. Audubon California recently launched a Waterbird Program at its Richardson Bay center in Tiburon. Learn how Audubon is using Richardson ...
At the forefront of the current biodiversity crisis, amphibian populations are undergoing unprecedented declines and extinctions. Notably, two chytrid fungi species have been found to infect a wide variety of amphibian hosts causing the disease chytridiomycosis. Since its first association with mass mortalities in Australian and Central American frogs in ...
Where: Santa RosaCost: Free
The Fight for WaterThis historical documentary, set during the 2009 California Water Crisis, follows the stories of two Central Valley farmers. They discuss how water restrictions and environmental regulations have threatened their way of life, their American dream and their community. The crisis point was an environmental ruling to protect an endangered fish ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost:
Fungal Philosophies - Mythbusters, or Fungal Fables DebunkedFebruary's speaker is Danny Miller. His enlightening and entertaining presentation is titled, "Mushroom Mythbusters - Fungal Fables Debunked." Danny, with his sharp wit and keen sense of humor, will share his insights, delights, and observations with you and correct some of the misconceptions about fungi that you may have.Danny first ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Everything Matters: SodiumCome be in your elements with Exploratorium host and scientific raconteur Ron Hipshman. Follow tales of intrigue and invention, join in dynamic demonstrations, and uncover fascinating connections between individual elements and our collective human experience.Part of "After Dark" (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Members
Searching for the First Stars Through Nuclear ReactionsOver the years, the interplay between nuclear physics, computational astrophysics, and observational astronomy has been critical to our understanding of the cosmos. Nuclear data and astrophysical models continue to provide key input to help explain and guide astronomical observations. Once recent example involves the search for the first generation of ...
Landform evolution modelling has become an important tool in interpreting the landscapes of the icy satellites of the solar system. In this talk, I will discuss the methods that are applied to this purpose and describe its application to several interesting icy satellite bodies, including Titan, Triton, Callisto and Helene. ...
Where: Los Altos HillsCost: Free ($3 parking)
ClimateMusic Project Concert Join us in the Planetarium for a performance by The ClimateMusic Project, a science & arts collaborative that uses music to teach people about climate change in a fresh and engaging way. The collaborative is made up of leading climate scientists and versatile artists who pull from terabytes of climate ...
Where: OaklandCost: $15
Saturday, 02/20/16
Birding for Beginners at Middle Harbor Shoreline ParkMillions of people around the world enjoy bird watching, but it can be intimidating if you're a rookie! Naturalist Tony Iwane will lead beginners through the basics of bird identification. The restored wetland of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is a beautiful backdrop for observing the antics of avian visitors as ...
Where: OaklandCost: $10
Heart Month Community TalksHow well do you know your heart? Meet our East Bay cardiologists from Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group and learn the latest in preventing heart disease, common risk factors, and choosing options for treatment. Join us at this free event and get heart smart!A Guide to Atrial Fibrillation: What to Know and Do ...
Where: LafayetteCost: Free
A Rare Ecosystem: Livermore's Alkali HabitatLivermore is home to a rare ecosystem, an alkali wetland. Only two other places on Earth have a similar soil composition. Rare and endanged flora and fauna are found here, including the Livermore tarplant (Deinandra bacigalupii). Learn about the geology behind the alkaki sink, the plants and animals supported by ...
Where: LivermoreCost:
Tour of water purification systemJoin the Santa Clara Valley Water District for a free public tour of the largest advanced water purification center in Northern California. See how treated wastewater is purified to produce water that is safe enough to meet California's strict water quality standards using advanced technologies of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ...
Where: San JoseCost:
WWII in the Shadow of Mt. TamFrom 1942–1945 Sausalito was home to a bustling wartime shipyard called Marinship. Innovations, ingenuity and inspiration all played a part in the day to day routine. Join Ranger Joanne on a 2-mile walking tour of the area surrounding the Bay Model to experience what life in the shipyards was like. ...
The standard model of particle physics has been enormously successful, yet unable to account for dark matter and dark energy – mysterious stuff whose gravity holds galaxies together and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe, respectively. Physicists have long assumed that the dark sector would at least partially consist ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Aquarium of the Bay and BayMobile Aquarium of the Bay has teamed up with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bay Model Visitor Center to create the Bay Model Alliance, a not-for-profit organization that benefits the Bay Model and its educational programs by bringing the Bay, its animals, and their habitats to you!Join us at ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
SCIENCE: And Our ClimateWe hear about it all the time: climate change. But what is it and what does it really do? Aquarium of the Bay will collaborate with the staff of Bay Model to show the science behind the headlines. You'll be able to explore with us through hands-on experiments as you ...
Come learn about the native foothill yellow-legged frogs, Rana boylii, and western pond turtles, Actinemys marmorata, that call the Mt Tamalpais watershed home. March through June is the best time to see these creatures and to learn about wildlife biology and conservation.Educating the public about the threats to the native species, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Low Tide WalkJoin us for a series of coastal adventures. We will be taking advantage of the multiple low tides this season with a sequence of Low Tide Walks. We will return to a few of our favorite stomps as well as venturing to some new spots. When the tide is low ...
Where: PescadaroCost: $20
Sunday, 02/21/16
'Bug-ology'-themed Free Family Fun DayJoin YSI on a journey of discovery and investigate the science of entomology (the study of bugs)! Spend the afternoon doing experiments, crafts, meeting bugs and other critters, and exploring nature.
Come and hear "tails" of adventure from under the waves! Dr. Jessie Sanders, of Aquatic Veterinary Services of Northern California, will share some of the excitement of her career as an aquatic veterinarian. From electric eel shocks, to giving a sand tiger shark a physical, to getting a piranha to hold still ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
Movie screening and discussion on artificial intelligenceJoin us for a free screening of a PG-13 movie about the friendship between a robot caretaker and an aging, cantankerous ex-cat burglar named Frank. For more information about the film, call 925-373-5505. Refreshments will be served. After the movie, join us for a fascinating presentation and discussion about A.I. (artificial intelligence) with local startup ...
Where: LivermoreCost: FREE
The West Without Water: A History of Droughts and Floods in CaliforniaIn this illustrated talk authors Dr. Lynn Ingram, Professor in the Departments of Earth and Planetary Science and Geography at U.C. Berkeley, and Frances Malamud-Roam, Senior Environmental Planner-Natural Sciences Caltrans District 4, will present evidence for "megafloods" and "megadroughts" that recurred over the past several thousand years. These extreme events ...
Where: CupertinoCost: Free
Mushroom Mysteries: A Guide to What We Don't Know about FungiRain at last! And that means mushrooms are appearing in numbers not seen for the past several years. Enjoy an afternoon inside to learn about what you might find popping up outside. Explaining some of mysteries of mushrooms will be speaker Christian Schwarz. He is "Minister of Science" and taxonomic ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $5 General, Free for members
