It’s there for us year round, lighting our days and providing energy for our lives, so maybe it’s time to give it a closer look. Join SJAA for amazing and detailed views of the Sun, and be assured that we’ll be using special telescopes that will keep your eyeballs perfectly ...
From quantum hard drive to foliated manifoldOne major open problem in quantum information theory is how to build a quantum hard drive, i.e. a quantum system that can store quantum information reliably for a long time without active error correction. No completely satisfying solution to this problem has been found, but in the search a whole ...
I fell in love with foundation models because they radically improved data systems that I had been trying to build for a decade. Motivated by this experience, the bulk of the talk focuses on efficient building blocks for foundation models. The first line of work describes fundamental trends in hardware ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
From Astronomical Research to Communicating AstronomyAstronomy, sometimes considered a gateway science, can stir great curiosity and inspire students to pursue a STEM-related career. I was trained as an astronomer specialized in spectroscopy of distant galaxies, before deciding to change my focus from galaxies to people. In this talk, I’ll share what is intriguing about those ...
Mercedes Burns is an evolutionary biologist and arachnologist. She is currently an assistant professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, since 2017. Her research primarily focuses on the evolution of sexual reproduction and attendant sexual conflict, which occurs between males and females due to their differing ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Testing relativity on a tabletop with a miniature network of optical lattice atomic clocksThe remarkable precision of optical atomic clocks offers sensitivity to new and exotic physics through tests of relativity, searches for dark matter, gravitational wave detection, and probes for beyond Standard Model particles. While much of optical clock research has focused on improving their absolute accuracy, many searches for new physics ...
This presentation will introduce the concept of virtual power plants (VPPs), describe their potential for facilitating affordable decarbonization of the power sector, and address barriers to deploying VPPs at scale.Speaker: Ryan Hledik, BrattleAttend in person or online
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Fukushima nuclear waste release: Is it safe? Hear from scientists &. healthThe public will hear from scientists, environmental experts, and health professionals as the world faces, for the first time ever, the planned release of 31,000 tons of contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean by March, 2025, and then more releases over the next 40 years. This is an in-person event. ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Tuesday, 11/07/23
Future Cities TrendsFuture Cities Trends is the opening session of our program and will provide a comprehensive outlook on the evolving landscape of urban development in Switzerland and the US, focusing on three sectors: construction, energy, and digital transformation. The 15 selected Swiss project will present their work followed by keynotes from ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20
AI, Medicine, and the Limits of the Human Mind - Livestream“Will we still have doctors in 20 years?†is a common question. The answer is yes. But medicine, along with both the doctor and patient roles, will be fundamentally transformed by AI. Rather than simply automating tasks that doctors already do, AI will open up transformative new possibilities - along ...
Where: Cost: Free
Roundtable: Sustainable Urban Future in San FranciscoJoin us for a roundtable discussion on Urban Policy in collaboration with SPUR, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, a nonprofit public policy organization.This panel will delve into the future of sustainable urban development in San Francisco, with a focus on infill projects, green buildings and ...
Quantum information science seeks to exploit the collective behavior of a large quantum system to enable tasks that are impossible (or less possible!) with classical resources alone. This burgeoning field encompasses a variety of directions, ranging from metrology to computing. While distinguished in objective, all of these directions rely on ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Open House: Guided Tour of Metropolis Exhibitions + Utopian Cities: From Current Solutions to Future RealitiesAs part of our 20th anniversary programming Metropolis, we are featuring several exhibitions on display in our space at Pier 17.Discover the U.F.O.G.O. Exhibition from ECAL (Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne), Urban Futures Stories with Your 2040, and our Swiss projects selected for the anniversary program.All exhibitions will let you ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Ask me Anything (AMA) on Big Data Technologies and Applications - LivestreamRaghavendra K. Chunduri submitted his PhD Dissertation in Scalable Machine learning in School of Information Technology and Engineering, at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. He received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in computer science and engineering from JNTU University, India. Currently Raghavendra is working as a Senior Engineer, Software Engineering ...
Where: Cost: Free
Unmasking the Future of AITo many of us, it might seem like recent developments in artificial intelligence emerged out of nowhere to pose unprecedented threats to humanity. But to Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a trailblazer in AI research, this moment has been a long time in the making. Dr. Buolamwini has spent decades pondering the ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $30 General, $20 Mbrs in person, $10/Free online
 Next Scientist is a new Wonderfest series of online presentations. Every Next Scientist Zoom consists of two 30-minute presentations (including 10 minutes of Q&A), each featuring a young researcher describing next-level science:Creepy or Captivating: A Spider Scientist's PerspectiveHow have recent discoveries about spiders changed beliefs that have been passed down ...
Special LASER: Russia's Media Art Scene - LivestreamSpeakers:Nina Czegledy, Ontario College of Art University, TorontoAnna Frants, Cyland, St. PetersburgElena Gubanova, Media Artist, St. PetersburgNatalia Kolodzei, Russian Academy of ArtsOlga Sishko, Pushkin State Museum of Art History, MoscowRegister at weblinkÂ
The Digital is a Ruin: Digital Space, Geography and the End of the WorldUsing the case study of urban and ruin imaginaries in the virtual worlds of digital spatial media, this presentation examines the potentiality of digital space as both a conceptual term and increasingly prevalent shorthand for the perceived hybridity of digital and material experience. The focus on urban ruin engenders questions ...
Join us for this engaging discussion which will offer participants specific advocacy lessons learned from a newly released study of “the Golden Era†of environmental policymaking 1962-1975, lessons from California battles won in Congress that are directly applicable to the challenges of the 21stcentury. The environmental policy challenges ahead - ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Automating Illusions: Behind the Hype of Generative AIImage and text-generating tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT have created both anxiety and hope in the world of design and creativity. Join us for a thought-provoking talk that aims to untangle the hype surrounding generative AI tools. By critically reviewing their history, analyzing media portrayals, and exploring ethical dimensions, we ...
The penetration of anthropogenic transient tracers, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6), into the oceans represents an opportunity to trace intermediate-to-abyssal water masses as they leave the surface mixed layer and estimate the ventilation rate of the global ocean since 1940. I will present analyses based on four decades ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Generative AI: Race, Art, and PowerFrom ChatGPT, DALL-E, Bard, and Midjourney, the use of AI as a creative tool has increased dramatically both from technological breakthroughs and a flood of new users. Users and researchers have offered both praise and criticism - about the veracity of AI-generated art, race and gender bias engrained in these ...
 SThe importance of groundwater as a resilient water supply has increased in recent years, and efforts are underway to achieve groundwater sustainability and reduce overdrafts in aquifers. However, understanding climate-groundwater feedbacks in coupled natural-human systems are complex given the groundwater response time to environmental drivers and challenges in quantifying recharge. ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
The Future of Food: A Benefit Event for Hungry MindsJoin us at The Lawrence for an immersive evening for hungry minds exploring the future of food. This celebratory benefit event will include tastings inspired by food innovators, interactive experiences, a seated dinner, and a thought-provoking talk from our featured speaker, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli.
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free with museum admission
Science on Tap: Brews and EthnobotanyScience on Tap is our new series that mixes the best parts of learning about science with some of the best brews on the central coast! Each event will feature a happy half-hour highlighting beverages from our partners at local breweries followed by a panel discussion from experts about the ...
Where: SeasideCost: $15 General, $10 members, Free for Students
After Dark: Tinker, Touch, PlayUncap your markers and unleash your creativity at tonight’s After Dark with the Drawing Board. Choose your own design and use a giant pendulum to create mesmerizing artworks that you get to take home with you - available at every After Dark. Want to create more art? Conjure unexpected figures ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
NightLifeCalling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. With live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and nearly 60,000 live animals (including familiar faces like Claude, our alligator with albinism), the night is sure to be wild.Venture into our latest ...
The Milky Way’s hot stars generally form in open clusters within the thin disk. However, there are a small number of early-type stars that are observed at high altitudes above the disk and were likely ejected from their birth clusters within the past few million years. My student Brandon Schweers ...
This talk introduces a collection of studies recently published in Science and Nature about the effects of algorithms and virality on political attitudes and behavior in the 2020 US election campaign. The findings are among the first published studies stemming from the most comprehensive research project to date examining the role ...
Where: Cost: Free
Friday, 11/10/23
Bair Island Walking TourJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a walking tour at Bair Island! You’ll be guided by POST ambassadors who will share the history of this beautiful protected space, information about the species that live there, and what you can do to contribute.This easy 1 mile walk with little to no ...
Where: Redwood CityCost: Free
Dive Into The Marine Mammal Center - LivestreamAre you new to The Marine Mammal Center? Do you want to learn more about how we care for seals, sea lions and otters? Are you intrigued by our work on climate change, ocean trash and whale conservation? If you want to know more about The Marine Mammal Center and ...
These tours are led by our wonderful crew of ocean-loving docents, and visitors will learn about ongoing marine and coastal science research at Bodega Marine Laboratory and its history on the Sonoma Coast. Plus, you'll get to meet a variety of colorful and diverse ocean creatures.The front gates will be ...
Where: Bodega BayCost: Donations suggested
Saturday, 11/11/23
Building Enterprise Large Language Model ApplicationsThis workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to building AI applications with large language models. Attendees will learn the foundations of models like GPT-3.5/GPT4 and LLaMa2, including how they work, how to access them, and best practices for fine-tuning and prompting. A key part of the day will involve hands-on work ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Family Nature Adventures: The Amazing World of Insects and Helpful PollinatorsThrough engaging activities, experiments, and stories, children will discover the diverse and extraordinary characteristics of these tiny creatures. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors will guide the participants on a memorable hands-on exploration, encouraging their curiosity and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Lunar Landing Sites, Past and Future - PostponedAs we look back on the discoveries of the Apollo program, now more than fifty years ago, and stand on the verge of a new generation of lunar exploration through the Artemis Program, it is appropriate to reflect upon the sites chosen for lunar exploration. In this talk, we will ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
Free National Parks DayAdmission to most US National Parks is free today, in honor of Veterans Day
Visit our birding station at the Charleston Slough observation deck, where our volunteers will help you identify ducks, shorebirds, and more. No need to sign up - come by anytime we’re there! This event is wheelchair accessible.
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
The Smell of Money: Film Screening and Discussion"Who pays the price for what we want?" A century after her grandfather claimed his freedom from slavery and the family land, Elsie Herring and her North Carolina community fight the world's largest pork corporation for their freedom to enjoy fresh air, clean water, and a life without the stench ...
This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Pierre Agostini, Anne l’Huillier, and Ferenc Krausz, for discoveries that launched attosecond science and technology at the turn of the century, before SLAC ever had an x-ray free electron laser or hosted any ultrafast research. Subsequent advances at LCLS and PULSE ...
Chiara Cirelli received her medical degree and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Pisa, Italy, where she started investigating the molecular correlates of sleep and wake and the role of the noradrenergic system in sleep regulation. She continued this work as Fellow in experimental neuroscience at the Neuroscience ...
In order to limit global warming and avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, we need to (1) drastically reduce emissions and (2) remove large amounts of legacy greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. There are many approaches to CDR (carbon dioxide removal), the process to remove carbon dioxide from ...
The source of about half of the heaviest elements in the Universe has been a mystery for a long time. Although the general picture of element formation is well understood, many questions about the astrophysical details remain to be answered. The key may lie in the collision of neutron stars ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members & Seniors
The ocean's midwaters below 200 m and above the seafloor, formerly thought to be entirely devoid of life, are now thought to be home to a biomass of animals larger than in the rest of the ocean combined. These organisms, many of which vertically migrate between the twilight or midnight ...
Join the Silicon Valley Archies in welcoming Henry Lowood, the Harold C. Hohbach Curator for History of Science & Technology Collections, as he discusses his most recent book, Replayed.Since the early 2000s, Henry Lowood has had a key role in initiatives devoted to the preservation and documentation of virtual worlds, ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Understanding Generative AI and Language: Humans, Animals, and Machines - Livestream“Understanding how AI models learn is the new frontier in machine learning research. In this talk, I argue that we can use human language to better understand how AI learns and, vice versa, use AI to better understand how humans acquire the defining human property: language. I will present an ...
US-China relations constitute the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world today, and science and technology are at the heart of these troubled ties. Yet, the prevalent discourse routinely falls into false binaries: China versus the US, authoritarianism versus democracy, open science versus national security. This reductionist frame bolsters techno-nationalism ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Adapting Food Systems to Climate ChangeGlobal food insecurity is rising, due in part to the impact of climate change on weather patterns. In South Asia, where 25% of the world’s hungry and 40% of the world’s malnourished children and women live, increasing climatic risks such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and heat waves pose a tremendous ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
An Overview of Shark Research in Hawaii - LivestreamPlease join us for “An Overview of Shark Research in Hawaiiâ€. We are honored to have as our guide Dr. Kim Holland of the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Marine Biology. Dr. Holland will present a broad-strokes overview of past and current research at Hawaii’s Institute of Marine Biology and ...
Where: Cost: $10 suggested donation
Chronodiversity: Thinking about Time with TreesBig trees, old trees, and especially big old trees have always been objects of reverence. From Athena’s sacred olive on the Acropolis to the unmistakable ginkgo leaf prevalent in Japanese art and fashion during the Edo period, our profound admiration for slow plants spans time and place as well as ...
In 1940 John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts climbed aboard the Western Flyer and embarked on an epic journey of science, discovery and friendship to the Sea of Cortez. The boat itself, sometimes called "the most famous fishing vessel ever " sank in Puget Sound 70 years later, but has recently ...
One of the defining features of all mammals is, surprisingly, the set of bones that form the hearing system. Those bones evolved from jaw components in our mammalian ancestors. In the evolutionary process of repurposing them for hearing, mammals came to possess a jaw configuration different from all other jawed ...
The Merlin Bird ID app integrates Merlin Sound ID, a sophisticated system designed for real-time classification of bird vocalizations on mobile devices. With a global user base numbering in the millions, we’re not only achieving our initial goal of connecting people with their neighborhood birds but also extending the utility ...
Besides biological essentials, humans thrive on materials and derive comfort from objects. This entangles people, materials, and things. At dividual and individual levels, making, mending, and consuming things creates and lubricates social relationships and obligations. Peering into the deep past, humans and their ancestors initially worked materials such as stone ...
Youth Talk: The Influence of Environmental Activism on Gen Z Voting“The Impact of Environmental Activism on Gen Z Voting†unites four environmental leaders from a variety of backgrounds for a thought-provoking discussion about environmental activism and civic engagement. Representing the voices of student activists as well as professional environmentalists, our speakers will explore the movement’s impact on voting and youth ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
After APEC: What's China's Role in California's Green Transition?As government officials, diplomats and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific converge in San Francisco for APEC 2023 Leaders Week, the question on everyone’s lips is: What next for the U.S.-China relationship? Amid the climate crisis, which necessitates urgent energy transition, how do the two largest economies work together against ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $15 Members
Home2Headwaters: Where Does Your Water Come From?In July 2022, Nina Gordon-Kirsch walked more than 240 miles, tracing the Mokelumne River - the river that provides tap water to the East Bay.She left her home on Lisjan Ohlone land (so called Oakland) and 33 days later she arrived on Washoe land, at the headwaters of the Mokelumne ...
An evolutionary biologist tells the story of nature’s toxins and why we are attracted - and addicted - to them, in this “magisterial, fascinating, and gripping tour de force†(Neil Shubin).A deadly secret lurks within our spice racks, medicine cabinets, backyard gardens, and private stashes. Scratch beneath the surface ...
Nonfungible Tokens (NFTs): Transformative Potential and Risk ManagementNonfungible Tokens (NFTs): Transformative Potential and Risk Management - Emergence, tokens, blockchain technology, applications, workflows, challenges, strategies. - By Dr. Andrew Park, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) have recently drawn considerable attention. The foundations of NFT technology date back to advances in computer science in the late ...
Some 40 million miles of roadways encircle the earth, yet we tend to regard them only as infrastructure for human convenience. While roads are so ubiquitous they’re practically invisible to us, wild animals experience them as alien forces of death and disruption. More than a million animals are killed by ...
Water is everywhere. Its atoms, hydrogen and oxygen, are the first and fifth most abundant elements in the universe. Water is found in abundance in many environments; it finds its way into planets of all shapes and sizes, where it modifies the properties of everything it touches. Water is crucial ...
North Ridge Trail Hike at Purisima Creek RedwoodsJoin POST for a beautiful and strenuous but rewarding 4.5-mile hike through the redwoods at Purisima Creek Redwoods!This out-and-back hike is moderately strenuous, with several inclines and declines. The hike itself will be roughly 4.5 + miles in totality, with about 1400 ft. elevation gain throughout the hike. We will enjoy the ...
Indoor air quality - the air quality within and around homes, buildings, and other structures - affects our health and comfort just as outdoor air quality does. In this month’s Midday Science Cafe, we bring you two experts who are studying the impacts of indoor air pollution from two different ...
Join us for an open dialogue and Q&A with Professor of Energy Resources Engineering, Emerita, Margot Gerritsen. Her talk will center on Sustainable Energy Systems with the theme of Energy Equity incorporated throughout. Leading with case studies, join us to explore the unintended consequences of certain policy decisions, political pressures ...
Speaker: Kelsey Jack, UC Santa BarbaraRoom 325Editor's Note: This talk is no longer listed on UC Berkeley's website, so we assume it has been canceled.
Distributed amplifiers (DA) are critical components in various applications such as electronic measurement instruments, high-speed wireless systems, RADAR, and optical networks. In this lecture an introduction to distributed amplifiers and their applications will be presented. After this a feedforward intermodulation design technique to improve linearization will be discussed. Finally, a ...
Where: Rohnert ParkCost: Free
Storytelling with Cafe OhloneHave you ever wondered about the indigenous traditions of Berkeley and the East Bay? Join us to hear Ohlone storytellers sharing their culture! Bring a blanket and a snack to our Outdoor Nature Lab and hear Cafe Ohlone co-founders Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino tell Ohlone stories while taking in ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free with museum admission ($20 for guests 3+)
Besides biological essentials, humans thrive on materials and derive comfort from objects. This entangles people, materials, and things. At dividual and individual levels, making, mending, and consuming things creates and lubricates social relationships and obligations. Peering into the deep past, humans and their ancestors initially worked materials such as stone ...
Bay Area birders often visit the Australian Garden in the UCSC Arboretum to see the hummingbirds. A glance at the plants, however, quickly reveals that Australian plants the hummingbirds visit are distinct and, in some cases, even bizarre compared to what we are used to in our own flora. What ...
Where: Cost: Free
After Dark: Glow OpeningBe the first to find your bliss at the Exploratorium this winter! Join us tonight for the opening of Glow, our luminous seasonal exhibition exploring the beauty and science of light. Get cozy and curious among radiant artworks, some of them being shown in the US for the first time.Come ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
Attention bookworms: Cue the nostalgia, because we’re bringing a good old-fashioned book fair to NightLife!
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
Astronomy on Tap Santa Cruz: The United States of… WaterOn Earth, water naturally occurs in 3 states: liquid, solid, and vapor; all of which you can find in your kitchen.But have you ever wondered what would happen if your microwave could heat a cup of water to temperatures greater than the surface of the Sun? What would happen if ...
Tiana Williams-Claussen, Director of the Yurok Tribe Wildlife Department, will join us and provide an update on the newly released population of California condor in Yurok country in far northern California, after conclusion of the first year of initial releases. She will also discuss biology of the birds, their cultural ...
Where: Cost: Free
Equalizing EquityIs it possible to create wealth AND foster social justice? Can investing in startups that close opportunity gaps for communities of color and low-income groups also be good business? Is it possible for venture capital to truly focus on a double bottom line? Renowned venture capitalists and social activists Freada Kapor ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Fungal and Animal InteractionsTodd Elliott grew up in the Southern Appalachians, and his passion for the natural world has led him to work as a naturalist, biologist, and photographer on six continents. His collaborations and publications from this research include the naming of more than 100 fungal species and five genera, and he ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Friday, 11/17/23
Morning Hike at Rancho Cañada del OroJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for an excursion where you’ll explore the Mayfair Ranch - Longwall Canyon trails of Rancho Cañada del Oro! You will be guided by POST Ambassadors who will share with you the history of the preserve, the region, and the importance of conservation in the area.The ...
Using new and published marine fossil radiocarbon ( C/C) measurements, a tracer uniquely sensitive to circulation and air-sea gas exchange, we establish several benchmarks for Atlantic, Southern, and Pacific deep-sea circula- tion and ventilation since the last ice age. We find the most 14C-depleted water in glacial Pacific bottom depths, ...
These tours are led by our wonderful crew of ocean-loving docents, and visitors will learn about ongoing marine and coastal science research at Bodega Marine Laboratory and its history on the Sonoma Coast. Plus, you'll get to meet a variety of colorful and diverse ocean creatures.The front gates will be ...
Where: Bodega BayCost: Donations suggested
Saturday, 11/18/23
Go On A Lichen Hike V2This hike was originally scheduled for Sept 23 (as part of Mt Tamalpais State Park Science Quest Day), but had to be cancelled. Folks who RSVP'd to the original hike will be given early access to sign up. Then Friends of Mt Tam Members and then the general public.Come learn ...
Where: Stinson BeachCost: Free
Holiday Mineral and Gem SaleSanta Cruz Mineral and Gem Society annual holiday sale by members of the club. Come and see wonderful gifts of nature and art - gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals, and lapidary arts. Browse the bargains and pick up some great gifts for the holidays.The sale supports the mineral and gem society ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
The Times They Are(n't) a-Changin' - LivestreamBack and forth we go. Are you tired (literally tired) of switching your clocks one hour back every Fall and one hour forward every Spring? Why do we go to all the trouble? Do we have any good alternatives? What’s been tried before, or tried elsewhere?Polls show that the public ...
Where: Cost: Free
Jazz Under the StarsJazz Under the Stars is a FREE monthly public stargazing event! Occurring on the Saturday nearest the 1st quarter moon (check our Events Page), join us on the 4th floor observatory for a night of smooth jazz, bright stars, and a lot of fun! We play our jazz from CSM's own ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
City Public Star PartyCome join the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers for an evening of stargazing at Land’s End! We meet at the USS San Francisco Memorial at El Camino del Mar parking lotTelescopes will be set up to show you the craters and mountains of the Moon, planets, bright and colorful double stars, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Sunday, 11/19/23
Holiday Mineral and Gem SaleSanta Cruz Mineral and Gem Society annual holiday sale by members of the club. Come and see wonderful gifts of nature and art - gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals, and lapidary arts. Browse the bargains and pick up some great gifts for the holidays.The sale supports the mineral and gem society ...
How nonlinearity distorts the evidence for photoinduced superconductivity Over a decade of research has suggested that some metallic compounds can be transformed into superconductors by illuminating them with intense beams of laser light. Recently, we have shown that the experimental evidence for this effect could literally be an optical illusion produced by the high-intensity laser illumination. By examining ...
Join Dr. Christopher Hobbs author of the ground-breaking book Medicinal Mushrooms (first edition, 1989), for a lively-discussion on all things fungal and healthy!A thorough and practical review of the science and traditional use of the most widely-researched medicinal mushrooms (especially turkey tails, shiitake, cordyceps, maitake, and chaga), based on many ...
Let’s celebrate the return of Pacific Grove's monarch butterfly population during Science Saturday: Monarch Madness. Get an up-close view of butterflies, follow their migration, and learn about other pollinators. We encourage you to come dressed like your favorite butterfly!
Jack Driscoll-Natale is a 12th-grade student at Pacific Collegiate School. He invented H20 Monitoring For All, an affordable water quality monitoring system that makes continuous water quality monitoring accessible to local communities for environmental stewardship, ecological monitoring, and more! Jack’s invention received international recognition at STEM competitions. Now, he is ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
Family Astronomy: The Moon and TidesKick off the holiday season with a family workshop all about the Moon. Join us on an exciting and educational adventure as we delve into the captivating relationship between the Moon and tides. Discover how these celestial bodies influence the ebb and flow of our planet’s oceans in this interactive ...
Quantum Textures of the Many-Body Wavefunctions in Magic-Angle GrapheneInteractions among electrons create novel many-body quantum phases of matter with wavefunctions that reflect electronic correlation effects, broken symmetries, and collective excitations. Many quantum phases have been discovered in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG), including correlated insulating, unconventional superconducting, and magnetic topological phases. The lack of microscopic information of possible ...
Dr Adrienne Fairhall is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and adjunct in the Departments of Physics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington in Seattle. She obtained her Honors degree in theoretical physics from the Australian National University and a PhD in statistical physics from ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Swimming Smarter, not Harder: An Exploration of the Relationship between Locomotion and Energetics in FishesFishes exhibit extraordinary locomotor abilities, a key factor in their evolutionary success. My research integrates detailed movement and energetics analyses of swimming with robotics to explore how fishes undertake large-scale migrations, execute rapid maneuvers, and conserve energy by interacting with structures and selecting abiotic gradients in their environment. During my ...
Join us to hear Sally Benson, Professor of Energy Science & Engineering, discuss what she learned about policy making during her time as Deputy Director for Energy and Chief Strategist for the Energy Transition in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy.Attend in person or online (see weblink)
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Tuesday, 11/28/23
Devices, DMs and D**k Pics: Youth Experiences of Cyberflashing and Missing Safety Nets - LivestreamAdolescence is a period of increasing autonomy, identity exploration, and desires for physical and emotional intimacy. It is also when almost all youth have access to both a personal mobile device and social media accounts. One way such digital connectivity intersects with adolescent development is the high use of digital ...
Speaker: Katie Cederberg, Stanford UniversitySee weblink for streaming information
Where: Cost: Free
X-ray measurements to understand the science of fire spread by ember transport - LivestreamThe severity and frequency of large wildfires have increased significantly in the past two decades, which is largely attributed to poor forest management and climate change but also to growing population and human activities in the wildland-urban interface. The main mechanisms for the spread of wildfires are direct flame impingement, ...
The characteristic excitation of a metal is its plasmon, which is a quantized sound wave in its valence electron density. In 1965, David Pines predicted that a distinct type of plasmon, which he named a "demon," could exist in multiband metals that contain more than one species of charge carrier. ...
Plan for PlanetThe inaugural Shimizu Distinguished Lecture will be held on November 28th, 4-6pm at Clark Auditorium. We are thrilled to host Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Bjarke is a visionary leader in architecture, transforming our industry and working toward a better world for current and ...
 In astronomy, the redder a galaxy appears, the faster it is fleeing, and the older a tale its light can tell. Such "redshifts" in the spectra of galaxies (symbolized with the letter "z") allow compelling insights. The recently-launched James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has allowed astronomers to study the properties ...
The whole goal of physics is to explain what we observe. For centuries, physicists believed that observations yielded faithful representations of what is out there. But when they began to study the subatomic realm, they found that observation often interferes with what is being observed―that the act of seeing changes ...
Remarkable recent advances in deep neural networks are rapidly changing science and society. Never before had a technology been deployed so widely and so quickly with so little understanding of its fundamentals. I will argue that developing a fundamental mathematical theory of deep learning is necessary for a successful AI ...
The characteristic excitation of a metal is its plasmon, which is a quantized sound wave in its valence electron density. In 1965, David Pines predicted that a distinct type of plasmon, which he named a "demon," could exist in multiband metals that contain more than one species of charge carrier. ...
Extreme weather in the wake of climate change, causing wildfires, drought and flooding, threatens to turn the American West into a region hostile to human habitation - a “Great American Desert†as early U.S. explorers once mislabeled it. Bruce Cain suggests that the unique complex of politics, technology and logistics ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $10 Members
Science Uncorked: Bodega Head's Northbound Geologic JourneyPairing delicious wines with delicious ideas, this series features talks by scientists from UC Davis' Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute and Bodega Marine LaboratorySpeaker: Nicole Myers
Where: Bodega BayCost: Free
Science on Tap: Fast Radio Bursts: New Transient Mysteries and How We Understand Them Supernovae! Neutron Star Mergers! What do these have in common? They are what’s known as…transients! Short, dramatic, energetic, events that occur on human timescales. Many things in the Universe take millions or billions of years to change and evolve. Transients, however, can change over seconds or years, and illuminate deep ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
51st Annual Fungus FairThe Mycological Society of San Francisco Fungus Fair includes the latest collection of expertly identified fungi collected in various locations in the Bay Area. These annual collections constitute a 50-year record of the early winter fungal diversity in our area. This historical information may become an important contribution to science ...
Where: South San FranciscoCost: Varies, see weblink
The ocean's midwaters below 200 m and above the seafloor, formerly thought to be entirely devoid of life, are now thought to be home to a biomass of animals larger than in the rest of the ocean combined. These organisms, many of which vertically migrate between the twilight or midnight ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Can we (yet) predict how fast Greenland is going to melt?The Greenland ice sheet has been losing mass in response to the rapid warming of the Arctic, and is contributing to sea level rise at an increasing rate. Fluctuations in ocean and atmosphere circulations are not only affecting the amount of melting and runoff at the ice sheet surface, they ...
The growing focus on hydrogen as a promising energy carrier has been pivotal in the pursuit of net-zero emissions within integrated energy systems. As part of this endeavor, extensive research has been conducted to delve into the reliability aspects of power-gas integrated energy systems. Additionally, our study looks at optimizing ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Doing a lot with a little: The molecular profile of a single sensory neuron links experience with behavioral plasticityThermosensation is a critical sensory modality for all organisms. C. elegans exhibits the remarkable ability to detect temperature changes of as little as 0.01C across a 10C temperature range, and exhibits experience-dependent thermosensory behaviors. Thermosensation in the innocuous temperature range is mediated primarily by the single AFD sensory neuron pair. ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
The Science Behind Science Fiction: To Boldly GoJoin us for an exciting event where we explore the fascinating connection between science and fiction! Dive into the world of sci-fi as we unravel the mysteries behind "To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights." Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking discussion led by renowned ...
Join the NASA Night Sky Network along with Dr. Travis Fischer from Space Science Telescope Institute, where we will explore the nature of active galaxies, including their energetic processes and the role they play in shaping the universe we see today.Active galaxies are some of the most fascinating objects in ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
NightLifeCalling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. With live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and nearly 60,000 live animals (including familiar faces like Claude, our alligator with albinism), the night is sure to be wild.Step inside the iconic ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
Six Eruptions at Two Volcanoes Over the Past Three Years - LivestreamHow the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors some of Earth’s most active volcanoesby Katie Mulliken, Geologist, Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i and USGS Hawaiian Volcano ObservatoryThe Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is the oldest volcano observatory in the United States, founded decades before Hawaii became a state!Hawaii’s volcanoes erupt frequently; during the ...
Where: Cost: Free
Faster! Catching up to Electrons on the MoveElectrons are tiny particles that hold together the atoms in molecules. When sunlight interacts with a molecule, it first transfers its energy to the electrons. Then, as the electrons move, the molecule changes form, reshaping itself or even breaking apart. We do not fully understand how electrons affect the molecules ...
The Milky Way’s hot stars generally form in open clusters within the thin disk. However, there are a small number of early-type stars that are observed at high altitudes above the disk and were likely ejected from their birth clusters within the past few million years. My student Brandon Schweers ...
These tours are led by our wonderful crew of ocean-loving docents, and visitors will learn about ongoing marine and coastal science research at Bodega Marine Laboratory and its history on the Sonoma Coast. Plus, you'll get to meet a variety of colorful and diverse ocean creatures.The front gates will be ...
Where: Bodega BayCost: Donations suggested
First Friday: Light Up the NightDespite December being the darkest month of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, it is a time to light up the night with a celebration of different cultures. For First Friday: Lights Up the Night, join us at Chabot Space & Science Center for an evening filled with exciting hands-on ...
Where: OaklandCost: $15 General, $10 Kids/Seniors, $5 Members
Getting Started with Astronomical Spectroscopy - CANCELEDAstronomical spectroscopy is the study of the electromagnetic spectrum of stars and other celestial objects through a spectroscope. Spectroscopy is one of the best tools we have for deciphering the chemical and physical properties of the universe, and is the backbone of modern astrophysical research. In fact, about 75% of ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Saturday, 12/02/23
Instrument Petting Zoo at the Lawrence Hall of ScienceGet up close and personal with musical instruments and get inspired by the power of music! UC Berkeley student group The Music Connection will introduce visitors to woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments professional musicians use. Learn about how they work, how to hold them, and even try playing the ...
It’s there for us year round, lighting our days and providing energy for our lives, so maybe it’s time to give it a closer look. Join SJAA for amazing and detailed views of the Sun, and be assured that we’ll be using special telescopes that will keep your eyeballs perfectly ...
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