BioBlitz at Coyote Creek Visitor CenterA BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and ...
Human minds love to discover patterns, to find intuitive explanations, and, most of all, to be certain. Yet our world is complicated and filled with randomness. Statistical thinking provides us with practical tools for making sense of an uncertain world. It can lead us to make surprising conclusions from the ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Perils of Plastic Foodware and the Path to Healthier MaterialsCome join us for an eye-opening event with Sue Chiang! Learn about the dangers of plastics in our foodware and discover the journey towards healthier materials. Sue Chiang will share valuable insights and tips on how to make better choices for your health and the environment. Don't miss out on ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Twilight Tales at the RefugeJoin us on a summer evening at the refuge in Alviso to hear tales of rails, tales of tails, and tales of gold, silver, and … garbage. You’ll learn why the refuge was created and why it is so important to all of us. Then as the sun sets, you’ll ...
Where: AlvisoCost: 0
City Public Star PartyCome join the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers for free public stargazing of the Moon, planets, globular clusters and more!The event will take place in Tunnel Tops National Park, parking is located adjacent to Picnic Place (210 Lincoln Blvd for GPS) with the telescopes setup in the East Meadow.Dress warmly as conditions ...
Each year Lick Observatory brings world-renown musicians and astronomers to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember.The event activities include:ConcertAstronomy talk by world-renowned scientistsViewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescopeViewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescopeAstronomy discussions with amateur astronomers and viewing through small ...
Where: Mt. HamiltonCost: $60 General, $99 Preferred, $129 Preferred+
Foothills Family Nature WalkEnvironmental Volunteers’ Family Nature Walks program is designed to help community members get to know our local open space areas. Small groups will be guided by a knowledgeable environmental educator during an exploration of a local open space. These small groups will be introduced to fun nature-based activities, and a ...
Where: Los AltosCost: Free
Sunday, 07/14/24
Volunteer Opportunity: Trail Maintenance Work Day at the EECHelp us with some trail maintenance around the Environmental Education Center! Activities may include weeding, litter pickup, or spreading gravel. All gloves and tools will be provided, so just make sure to dress comfortably and bring a can-do attitude. Please arrive promptly at 9:20am to allow time for check-in before ...
Where: AlvisoCost: Free
The Lawrence CarnivalStep right up to our pop-up boardwalk for a science carnival! Ooh and ahh as acrobats from Oakland’s own Les Aerielles soar through the air in a trapeze arts performance. Then, try your hand at a series of carnival games and win prizes. Finally, learn the science behind your favorite ...
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 ...
Coral reefs are diverse, productive and valuable but highly threatened by global change stressors. My research group seeks creative ways to leverage microbial symbionts and trophic interactions to improve coral and reef health. This talk will describe these efforts and associated challenges, with a particular focus on the roles and ...
Alzheimer’s is a global health problem, with nearly 7 million people living with the disease in the United States alone. Tremendous gains have been made in the understanding of the science and basic biology underlying Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These advances are leading to great strides in strategies for prevention, ...
Program (the order of the speakers might change): Patricia Alessandrini (Stanford) on "Ada's Song: Artistic Research in Robotics from a (Cyber)Feminist Perspective" Alessandrini will speak about her work as a composer/sound artist, from the design of interfaces and instruments for inclusive performance to the development of the Piano ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Tuesday, 07/16/24
Enhancing In-Situ Denitrification - Batch and Column Tests to Pilot Barriers - LivestreamJoin us as Dick Raymond and Dr. Michael Lee speak on Enhancing In- Situ Denitrification. Nitrate levels in groundwater and surface water are elevated in many areas of the world because of anthropogenic sources of nitrogen to groundwater, notably discharge from septic systems and nitrogen-containing fertilizers from agriculture. Discharge of ...
Where: Cost: Free
Using Virtual Reality for Well-being, Social Connections, and Meaningful ExperiencesThis lecture delves into the past, present, and future of research on XR technology, which encompasses augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR, VR, and MR). We will cover what the technology is, how it works, and its various applications in education, socializing, healthcare, and beyond. We examine how various factors ...
The widespread adoption of large language models (LLMs) has sparked a revolution in the development of innovative solutions, with inference expected to account for 90% of the costs associated with LLM applications, compared to only 10% for training. This cost disparity, along with the environmental impact of inference and data ...
The afterglow of the Big Bang, known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB), is the oldest light in the Universe, emitted when the Universe was only 0.003% of its current age. This ancient light has traveled across space for nearly 14 billion years, carrying with it vital information about the ...
Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these three Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:Stanford ecologist Chinmay Sonawane on How Scavenging Animals Protect Human Health - Wildlife is rapidly disappearing globally. But why should ...
Addiction and substance abuse are complex issues that sit at the intersection of psychology, policy, public safety, and public health. Cities across the US grapple with how to manage the need to treat those suffering while cutting off access to illegal and dangerous drugs. Writing good drug policy from the ...
Appendicularians are wondrous creatures found everywhere in the world’s oceans. They build complex houses they use as a safe home, as a filtration device to capture food, and as their marine Winnebago. Using these houses, the animals can remove tiniest particles down to the size of viruses from the water ...
Coral reefs are beautiful, valuable ecosystems that are being degraded by human activities. Microorganisms play key roles in coral health and disease. This talk shows how predators spread key coral microorganisms and explores how this might support reef resilience to warming seas.Speaker: Adrienne Correa is an associate professor in the ...
Where: Bodega BayCost: Free
Nerd Nite SF #144: Virtual Sex, Psychedelic Drugs, and the Philosophy of War It’s Hot Nerd Summer and we’re playing the hits! We’re bringing the traditional trifecta of “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll†into the modern age with sexuality in video games, re-matriation of psychedelics, and the real life inspiration behind the darkly comedic film “The Men Who Stare at Goats.†It’s ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 Advance, $15 at door
One of the things we love most about birds is their wild array of plumage colors and patterns. Where does all that color come from? In this presentation, you’ll learn how pigments and microscopic structures in feathers create the kaleidoscope of beauty we find in the avian world. We’ll cover ...
Where: Cost: Free
Thursday, 07/18/24
Coastal Walk at Pillar Point BluffJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a beautiful walk at Pillar Point Bluff just north of Half Moon Bay! You will be guided by POST ambassadors who will share details about the area’s interesting natural history, from the coastal scrub habitat to the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve which hosts tide pools ...
Where: Moss BeachCost: Free
SETI Live: Accidental Astronomy: How Random Discoveries Shape the Science of Space - LivestreamScientific discovery relies on luck sometimes, and nowhere is that more true than in astronomy. Supernova aren't predictable. New comets are discovered every month. Asteroids enter our atmosphere shortly after being found. So many of these discoveries rely on being or looking in the right place at the right time. ...
Where: Cost: Free
Lunch Break Science - LivestreamLunch Break Science is a dynamic live web series featuring fascinating short talks, engaging interviews, and lively Q&A with Leakey Foundation scientists. Each episode digs deeper into the latest human origins discoveries, with topics like Neanderthals, chimpanzee behavior, and more! Even better, you can interact with researchers during the show ...
Where: Cost: Free
Can small be the next big thing? Plasma Accelerator R&D at DESY In laser- or particle beam-powered plasma-based accelerators, electrons surf on waves and can reach multi-GeV energy levels in a few 10’s of cm. If one relies on conventional methods, this would require machines that are multiple football fields long. Although many challenges remain, this new technology is at the brink ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Lessons from Texas, COVID-19, and the 737 Max: Effeciency vs ResilianceIn both computer science and economics, efficiency is a cherished property. The field of algorithms is almost solely focused on their efficiency. The goal of AI research is to increase efficiency by reducing human labor. In economics, the main advantage of the free market is that it promises “economic efficiency.†...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
History on Tap: Stories of Point PinosPoint Pinos is one of the most popular attractions in Pacific Grove, and like many local institutions, has a long and storied history to go along with it. While the rocky coast and rolling sand dunes at the southern entrance to Monterey Bay has long enchanted locals and visitors, the ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $20 General, $15 Members, Free for Students
After Dark: ExtraOrdinaryStep into the world of ExtraOrdinary! and let the stunning artworks transform you! Discover what happens when artists assemble objects not ordinarily used in art: shoes become faces, saxophones take flight, and cardboard whispers. And don’t miss Crochet Jam with local artist Ramekon O’Arwisters and a talk about Recology’s Artist ...
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 ...
Human’s fascination with owls was first documented in the cave paintings at Chauvet in southern France. With their forward gaze and quiet flight, owls are often a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and foresight. But what does an owl really know? And what do we really know about owls? Some 260 ...
Where: Cost: Free
Friday, 07/19/24
Sunset Walk at Bair IslandJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a walking tour at the Bair Island Unit of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge! 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 ...
The first ever Global Skeptics in the Pub will be held on July 19Global Skeptics in the Pub will begin at 7pm local time in New Zealand on Friday, July 19, will go around the world, and end at 9pm local time in Hawai’i (24 hours later on the same calendar day)Note ...
