Birds and BotanyHike the forests, meadows and hills around Pine Flat and up Redhill with ACR Volunteer Patrick Woodworth & ACR Resource Ecologist Dave Self. We’ll be watching (and listening) for birds on the hike out. After lunch, we'll botanize as we consider the seasonal interplay between bird foods, habitat history and current activity ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: Free
Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Computational Optimization of Solar Thermal and Natural Gas Power SystemsIn order to facilitate the rapid adoption of renewable energy, it is necessary to identify low cost renewable-based systems to compete with fossil-based electricity generation. In this dissertation, computational optimization is used to explore the integration of solar thermal energy into new or existing fossil energy systems through combined optimization of system design and operations. Two distinct systems ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Biomaterials and biotechnologyFrom the discovery of the first angiogenesis inhibitors to the development of controlled drug delivery systems and the foundation of tissue engineering.Advanced drug delivery systems are having an enormous impact on human health. We start by discussing our early research on developing the first controlled release systems for macromolecules and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Science Expeditions to Planetary-like environments and the search for life in the Solar SystemThe Astrobiology-driven search for Life in the Solar System and beyond begins here on Earth.  In connection with this search, the NASA vision for Space Exploration involves robotic missions to prepare for humans living, working on the surface of Mars, and exploring it for finding indicators of life.  The near future search ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Mars Trek: Powerful Online Tools for Exploring MarsNASA's Mars Trek web portal provides a powerful new way to visualize and analyze datareturned from Mars by a range of instruments aboard a number of spacecraft. Mars Trek's wealthof data, advanced capabilities, and easy to use interface make it useful for the general public andstudents, as well as for ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Saturday, 12/03/16
Nature Walk by the BayTake a gentle walk around the Marina’s flat dirt trails and enjoy the local weather and bayside wildlife. We’ll keep the pace slow for all ages and abilities. Meet in the parking lot near the restroom. Questions? (408) 355-2240
Where: AlvisoCost: Free
Marshlands of DreamsJoin Paul Mueller on a 1-mile walk of the LaRiviere Marsh Trail to find traces of the past. Prior to marsh restoration, learn how Californians utilized the area for farming, quarrying, salt production, and transportation.  There will opportunities for bird watching as well.
Where: FremontCost: Free
Exploring Nature in Your BackyardIn this workshop, you and your child will make close observations of small creatures that live in the garden and under rocks, such as snails, worms, and pill bugs. You will construct a terrarium to take home, adding items to make it a place that can temporarily house visiting ...
Where: BerkeleyCost:
SF City Star PartyCome join us for our monthly San Francisco City Star Party. SFAA members provide telescopes for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to check the SFAA website for the latest updates…bad weather or overcast skies will cancel!
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Sunday, 12/04/16
MSSF Annual Fungus FairIn the San Francisco Bay Area, when the first rains tease up the chanterelles and porcini, fungus lovers head to the Fungus Fair: A Celebration of Wild Mushrooms.We have many educational tables on varied subjects such as: - Identification table - bring your specimens to find out what you found! ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, $8 Students/Seniors, $5 6-12 y/o's
The Sea Forager's Tour GuideEmbark on a coastal adventure with Sea Forager tour guide, sustainable fishmonger, and author of The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast, Kirk Lombard. Learn all about the sustainable delicacies waiting to be hooked and harvested at your local beach. Lombard will also sign copies of his book ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $5 General, Free for members
Monday, 12/05/16
Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Processors for the Data Center and Cloud of the FutureCurrent-day data centers and IaaS clouds (e.g. Amazon EC2, MS Azure, Google GCE) use microprocessors that are very similar to or the same as those used in small servers and desktops. This work rethinks the design of microprocessors specifically for data center use along with how microprocessors are affected by ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Engineering TouchI will describe recent work in my lab on haptics, soft electronics, and interactive systems. A longstanding goal in engineering has been to design technologies that are able to reflect the amazing perceptual and motor capabilities of biological systems for touch, including the human hand. This objective turns out to ...
The Future of Clean Energy in CitiesOur cities face tough energy problems, but local innovators are attempting to tackle these challenges in new ways. Come hear about the energy problems present in our urban areas and how new, innovative technology is working to address and surmount these challenges and expand the current regulatory environment. Co-presented by Tumml.+ Robert ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, Free for members
Truth and Beauty in Astronomy VisualizationIn the development of astronomy imagery for the public, the�scientific emphasis on fidelity can often seem at cross-purposes to artistic expression. As an astrophysicist who�creates visualizations, Dr. Summers not only confronts this�dichotomy daily, but also delights in the challenge of�combining accuracy and aesthetics. This talk will showcase�compelling visuals and describe ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members & Seniors
Tuesday, 12/06/16
Crucible of Worlds: A System for Space Synthetic Biology ExperimentsAaron Berliner is the Science PI on a recently funded NASA Ames SIF project to investigate Mars habitability. He will talk about the development of the "extreme conditions" Crucible environmental chamber. The project is a collaboration between NASA Ames Research Center, UC Berkeley, and Autodesk to build a system that will ...
When Drugs Kill: Cognitive Structures in the Production of EvidencePrescription drugs reduce pain and save lives, but they also kill and injure hundreds of thousands of patients each year. The drugs responsible for killing and injuring most patients have typically been on the market for many years before being pulled off. This paper develops and tests a theory that ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
The Future of Neurotechnology: Human Intelligence + Artificial IntelligenceHow will we incorporate advances in neuroscience with those of AI? What are the promises and perils of marrying our biology and our technology? Join David Eagleman (neuroscientist) and tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson (Kernel.co) for an invigorating open discussion on the future of our field. We'll explore new technologies in ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Natural History of Lake MerrittDive into Lake Merritt's past with this easy walk near the water's edge. We'll talk about the past and present ecology of the area, and how Lake Merritt has changed over the years.Â
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
From Gentrification to Geomorphology: Geography in the Golden StateCalifornia is a geographic wonderland and physical geographers have long shown how forces from faulting and fires to food have forged the Golden State. Likewise, cultural geographers have uncovered how the landscape of the Beautiful and the Dam(m/n)ed exposes The Lie of the Land and renders hollow Agrarian Dreams. Following ...
Where: NewarkCost: Free
Trees of Lake MerrittWhat's that tree? Do you know the difference between a giant sequoia and a coast redwood? How about a turkey oak and a valley oak? Join us for this introduction to the trees around the Rotary Nature Center and Lakeside Park. We'll talk about trees native to Oakland as ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Science at the Library: Physics of Toys There are 4 activities at each presentation after a show presentation. Parents work with their children to learn about science. Recommended for elementary age children. Families are encouraged to attend. Limited seating. Funding provided by Lam Research Foundation and free.Register at weblink
River Otter Snow Days at Aquarium of the BayThere’s snow in the forecast at Aquarium of the Bay! Join the Aquarium each Wednesday throughout December as biologists add over 1,000 pounds of snow to the river otter habitat, and experience the merriment first-hand as Shasta, Baxter, and Ryer romp and roll in this fun and festive addition of ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission
3D reconstruction and video analytics for subsea explorationHumans are inherently visual creatures. Despite the limitations of underwater vision, video remains a critical modality for observing and interacting with the deep ocean. This talk will cover two major research themes: The first theme will present progress towards robust reconstruction of 3D environments from monocular and stereo cameras. I ...
Where: Moss LandingCost: Free
What Happens When the Things We Design Wake Up?Mickey McManus is a research fellow at Autodesk in the Office of the CTO, and Principal & Chairman of the board at MAYA Design, a design consultancy and innovation lab. He's a pioneer in the fields of pervasive computing, collaborative innovation, human-centered design and education. In Mickey’s current research ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
A Bayesian Framework for Quantifying Fault Network Uncertainty Using a Marked Point Process ModelIncomplete observations of subsurface fault networks lead to uncertainty pertaining to location, geometry and existence of faults. In practice, gaps in incomplete fault network observations are filled based on tectonic knowledge and structural interpreter’s intuition pertaining to fault relationships. In this dissertation, a rigorous approach to quantifying fault network uncertainty ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Discover Marine Life at Lake Merritt!Did you know that organisms from all over the world make their home in Lake Merritt?Naturalists from the Rotary Nature Center will guide you through a hands-on experience with marine invertebrates that live on the boat docks. Come learn about sea squirts, sponges, flatworms, bubble snails, and more! We'll talk ...
San Francisco Green Film Festival Encore Series: Not Without UsJoin Green Film Fest to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the COP21 Paris Agreement with a free, encore screening of "Not Without Us".The film's director, Mark Decena, will be on stage to introduce the film.Free event, no ticket required. This event is sponsored by the Green Stacks program of SF ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Origins of Silicon Valley: How It Happened & Predictions for the Upcoming YearsWhy did Silicon Valley come into being, why is it successful, and where is it going? The story goes back to local Hams (amateur radio operators) trying to break RCA's tube patents, early Stanford engineers, the sinking of the Titanic, early "angel" investments, Fred Terman and Stanford, local invention of ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: Free
2016: From Paris to TrumpTop energy stories this year range from speedy ratification of the Paris climate deal to the large number of reservations for Tesla’s mid-priced sedan. Recent headlines also include PG&E’s surprise announcement that it will close the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant and the surprise bankruptcy of SunEdison, once a darling ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Member, $7 Students
What (the order of the speakers might change):7:00-7:25: Philip Sabes(UCSF/ Neuroscience) on "Brain-Machine Interfaces"Brain-Machine Interfaces offer the promise of helping disabled patients...Read more7:25-7:50: Fyodor Urnov(UC Berkeley/ Genomics) on "Genetics and Society"Abstract forthcoming...Read moreBREAK. Before or after the break, anyone in the audience currently working within the intersections of ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
East Bay Science Cafe: This is your brain on stressStress is an inevitable part of our life, and understanding the biology of the stress response is relevant to each of us. In this month’s Cafe, Daniela will talk about the biology of the stress response, and discuss when is the stress response beneficial, when is it detrimental and what ...
Holiday Bazaar NightLife‘Tis the season to stuff those stockings and shop locally! This week, NightLife’s annual holiday bazaar returns, featuring a merry marketplace of gift-worthy treasures from dozens of local makers and merchants, all curated by SF Bazaar.Find a little something for every person on your list (naughty or nice!) at this ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
7:00-7:25: Cheryl Leonard(Composer) on "Music from High Latitudes"Making music out of sounds, objects and experiences from the polar regions.Read more7:25-7:50: Mark Nelson(Co-director, Stanford Peace Innovation Initiative) on "Technology for Peace"The Peace Innovation Lab is an initiative from Stanford's Persuasive Tech Lab...Read morehigh-tech world through interactive digital art that ...
Entanglement phenomena are the closest thing we have to reproducible magic, and even physicists can't agree as to what’s really going on. Is it spooky action at a distance, or retrocausality, or conspiracies that govern our choices? And what is a good skeptic to do when every explanatory option seems ...
