Exploring Complex, High-Dimensional Data For Hidden StructureHow does one search for a needle in a multi-dimensional haystack not knowing what a needle is and not being sure there is one in the haystack? Solving this sort of problem might seem to be impossible, yet this is exactly what Dynamic Quantum Clustering (DQC) manages to do. Several ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
FREE Educators' Open House and Resource FairEnergize your teaching for the new school year by attending the free Educators' Open House at Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Explore and learn about our new exhibits - The Burrow and Hive Alive. Learn about Lindsay Wildlife Museum's school programs, which can be scheduled at the museum, at your school site, or ...
Where: Walnut CreekCost: FREE
Hydrodynamics and Topological Defects in 'Living Liquid CrystalsActive matter is a distinct category of nonequilibrium matter where energy injected at the scale of microscopic constituents is converted into organized motion and function at the macroscopic scale. Examples are bacterial suspensions, epithelial cell layers, the cytoskeleton of living cells, and self-propelled colloids. In this talk I will describe ...
When biologist Aaron Hirsh leads twelve college students to a remote fishing village on the Sea of Cortez, they come upon a bay of dazzling beauty and richness. As the group pursues various threads of investigation-ecological and evolutionary studies of the sea, the desert, and their various species of animals ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Don't Fade Away: Saving the Vivid Yellows of Matisse and Van GoghThe masterpieces of Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat and many of their contemporaries are currently undergoing catastrophic changes, including paint discoloration and loss. This damage, which threatens many works of art of our cultural heritage, is associated with three specific yellow pigments: cadmium yellow, chrome yellow, and zinc ...
Fighting an Environmental Trigger for ALS, Alzheimer's and other Tangle DiseasesIn a remarkable scientific detective story, Cox and his colleagues journeyed to small islands in the Pacific, high lakes in the Andes, remote villages in Japan and markets in western China in search of an elusive killer. Their studies of tribes with the highest known rates of the "tangle" diseases ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students
Robotic Surgery - Engineering from a Surgeon's PerspectiveRobotic surgery has made considerable strides in the last 15 years. FDA-approved robotic systems have revolutionized surgery by giving surgeons better visualization and precision. However, even with the most sophisticated systems, the limitations of surgical robotics are clear to the surgeons who use them. Technologies that are new or greatly ...
Drawing allows the designer to directly reach an audience. In the digital age, however, the tool has seen profound changes in a relatively short amount of time, altering not just how we draw but how we design. Four experts share their thoughts on the communicative power of drawing.Panel:+ John Kriken ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, Free for Members
Following the discovery of methane trapped in naturally-occurring gas hydrates (NGH), their energy potential has led to increased research. Being largely (>99%) methane, the energy contained is the cleanest possible from a fossil fuel source. For countries with limited energy resources, such as Japan and India, methane trapped in NGH ...
Extreme Weather in a Changing ClimateExtreme weather and climate events can have serious impacts on human and ecological systems. Changes in the magnitude and frequency of extreme weather associated with changes in the average climate are likely the most serious consequence of human induced global warming. Understanding what the future portends is vital if society ...
Computer Virus-antivirus Co-evolutionOver the past twenty-five years, computer malware (viruses, worms, targeted attacks, etc.) and anti-malware software have engaged in a complex dance - a co-evolution - with the black-hats inventing ever more creative infection and evasion techniques, and the white-hats responding in-kind with ever-more innovative defenses. In this talk, Professor Nachenberg will provide a fascinating ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
How the Universe Went from Smooth to Lumpy: The Modern Origins StoryThe talk will provide an overview of the modern understanding of our origins in astrophysics. The story begins in the infant universe, which we now know was remarkably smooth compared to what we see around us today, with only tiny differences in its properties from one part to another. By ...
Distinguished actor and writer Peter Coyote, a passionate advocate for wildlife and wild nature, will be joined by Camilla Fox, Project Coyote Executive Director, and Bob Crabtree, Project Coyote Science Advisory Board Member and Yellowstone Ecological Research Center's Chief Scientist, in a rare Bay Area event! Peter, Camilla, and Bob will share their ...
Acupuncture has an undeserved reputation as one of few effective SCAMs (Supplements, Complementary and Alternative Medicine). Discover what THEY don't want you to know: acupuncture is based on fantasy, is not effective, and cannot be effective.Speaker Mark Crislip, M.D., has been a practicing Infectious Disease physician in Portland Oregon since 1990. He ...
Join the Climate Change and Health IdeaLab (CHIL) for a conversation with Kristin Aunan, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research-Oslo (CICERO), about her work on climate mitigation and human health in China.Dr. Aunan's research focuses on the co-benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation (benefits to ...
High Frequency Design On PCBSonoma State Engineering Science Lecture SeriesSpeaker: Mr. Tamir Moran, Principal Hardware Engineer
Where: Rohnert ParkCost: Free
Lawrence Hall of Science Educator NightJoin us for this special after-hours event. Explore the Lawrence Hall of Science and the resources we offer to help you get the most out of your school year, from field trips to curriculum to professional development. Enjoy wine, beer, and snacks while you do hands-on science activities and connect ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free for Educators
Cafe InquiryMeet up with rationalists, skeptics, and freethinkers south of San FranciscoCafe Inquiry is a social event hosted by the Center for Inquiry|San Francisco. We'll meet at Café Borrone http://www.cafeborrone.com/ between Kepler's Books and the British Banker's Club! Look for the black balloon.For more information or if you have questions please ...
Fog is the stuff of legends, extolled by writers, expounded upon by filmmakers, and studied by meteorologists across the globe. Swirling, beautiful, and occasionally creepy, fog is a salient part of San Francisco's identity-something we may love, or hate, but which we rarely ignore.After Dark: Fog, the Exploratorium's adults-only (18 ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15; $10 for members
Sharktoberfest NightLifeTake a bite (and a sip) out of NightLife this week as Sharktoberfest returns!Sample local beers from the brew masters at Ale Industries, Almanac Beer Co., Anchor Brewing, Calicraft Beer, Drake's Brewing Company, Mad River Brewing Company, Social Kitchen and Brewery, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, Triple Voodoo Brewing, and others ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Members
Chronic Low Back Pain: Causes and TreatmentsLow back pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain having an astounding impact on the individual, their family, and society as a whole. This talk will review the causes of low back pain with specific attention to both serious causes that need immediate attention, and those ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Electricity: It's AliveRobert Porter will spend a few minutes taking some of the mystery out ofelectricity. Many people find this awesome power to be incomprehensible. It'sinvisible and you cannot taste it. But when you get shocked you know it! Itpowers our Prius and our brains. Porter will talk about the few elements ...
Where: SebastopolCost: $5
Friday, 10/04/13
Field Botany FridaysCome hike with ACR staff. While we hike, we may identify plants, survey for rare plants, photograph wildflowers, discuss ethnobotany or other trailside botany. Takes place the first Friday of every month.Please dress for the weather and bring at least one quart of drinking water. You may also wish to ...
The Importance of Sustainable Forest Management in CaliforniaSandy Dean describes the history of his involvement with Mendocino Redwood Company and Humboldt Redwood Company in California. Hear about changes from traditional industrial forestry to Forest Stewardship Council - certified management, the social challenges of changing forest practices, and recent legislative activity around California forest management policy. There will ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Public Astronomy Nights at Sonoma State: Perseus, Pegasus, & AndromedaTo find the Observatory: Follow the signs from the freeway to the campus. The Observatory is located inside the stadium area at the SE corner of the campus (East Cotati Avenue and Petaluma Hill Road, 2 miles east of U.S. 101 at Cotati). Call before coming if it appears likely ...
Guided Nature WalkExperience the beauty and rich natural history of this 535-acre preserve. Our half-day guided nature walks are on Saturdays throughout fall and spring. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie volunteer to explore the mixed evergreen forest, flower-carpeted oak woodland and rugged chaparral. Guided Nature Walks range ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: Free
Shark Day!MSI loves sharks! Our special Shark Day invites one and all to learn about these amazing creatures, from the Great Whites that swim just off our ocean shores, to the gentle Leopard Sharks that are common in our Bay. For 420 million years, sharks have roamed the world's seas. Join ...
Where: Redwood CityCost: $10 - $20 RSVP online.
Hawk Talk and Banding Demo - CANCELLEDCome to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands and get an up-close view of the fall raptor migration with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), a cooperative program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service.A GGRO docent gives an hour-long talk about hawk monitoring and identification ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Robert Ferguson Observatory-Public Solar ObservingThe Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) is open to the public for Daytime Solar viewing: Solar telescopes are set up so you can safely look at and listen to our favorite star, the Sun.Admission: FREEParking: $8.00 Park Use FeeHandicapped Parking is available at the entrance to the Observatory
Where: KenwoodCost: $8.00
Science Saturday: Frog in the Fog, Part 1Amphibians, the first land vertebrates, contain over 7,100 known species and are the most threatened group of vertebrates today. In just the last two decades an emerging infectious fungal disease has caused declines and extinctions of amphibians on a scale that has never been seen in human history. Vance Vredenburg's ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Trekking the ModelJoin a ranger guided tour of the Bay Model, a 1.5 acre hydraulic model of San Francisco Bay and Delta. Discover the stories of the two major operations that took place at this location between 1942 – 2000.
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Fish Feeding FrenzyHelp Ranger Bill feed the hungry inhabitants of our fresh and saltwater tanks. Watch the different feeding styles of rock cod, sea stars, and steelhead trout.
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Intel Museum - Free Binary Beading Class Engages KidsWhat are all those 1s and 0s that make up binary code? And for that matter, what's binary code? Students ages 7 and up learn how computers use this 'digital' language to send, process, and receive information. By using beads to represent a switch's on and off states (1 and ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: Free
San Mateo County Astronomical Society Star PartyThe City of San Carlos Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Mateo County Astronomical Society have open Star Parties. These events are held in Crestview Park, San Carlos California. Dates and Sunset times are below. Note that inclement weather (clouds, excessive wind and showers) will cause the event ...
Where: San CarlosCost: Free
A Monkey on Your Back!To date, there is no airplane or helicopter that can carry NASA's Space shuttle as freight inside its cargo bay; enter the Boeing 747 to do the trick. We'll discuss the exceptional skills needed by the crew and the aerodynamic, stability, and vibration challenges that raise the stakes when performing ...
Where: OaklandCost:
An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist With the 2006 publication of The God Delusion, the name Richard Dawkins became a byword for ruthless skepticism and "brilliant, impassioned, articulate, impolite" debate (San Francisco Chronicle). His first book, The Selfish Gene, caused a seismic shift in the study of biology by proffering the gene-centered view of evolution. It ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: $20 General, $20 Perferred
Robert Ferguson Observatory-Public Star PartyStar Parties: Starting at dusk, the Observatory's three main telescopes are open for your viewing. Docents set up additional telescopes in front of the building, while presentations on astronomical topics are given in the classroom throughout the course of the evening. Friendly and knowledgeable docents are available to answer your ...
Where: KenwoodCost: $11.00
Sunday, 10/06/13
Free Day of ScienceFirst Sundays are FREE! OMCA is free all day the first Sunday of every month. Tour the building with members of the Museum's Council on Architecture at 1 pm and enjoy a Docent-led tour of the Gallery of California Art at 2 pm. Grab lunch or a snack at Blue ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
Hawk Talk and Banding Demo -- CANCELLEDCome to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands and get an up-close view of the fall raptor migration with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), a cooperative program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service.A GGRO docent gives an hour-long talk about hawk monitoring and identification ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Junior Academy: Naturalist Know-how Learn how to be a naturalist! Each month a new nature skill will be presented. October's skill is Stones, Spiders and Scum -- Up Close! Explore the hidden side of everyday things by learning to use a microscope. Variations of the monthly skill will be available each week. This program ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Academy admission
Special Performance: The Kepler Story -- SOLD OUTWe are excited to announce our first ever prime-time Sunday evening performance series taking place in the Morrison Planetarium - the world's largest all digital dome. As a one-man performance with dramatic supporting music and full dome visuals, the Morrison Planetarium in collaboration with Motion Institute presents The Kepler Story ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
Richard Dawkins: 'An Appetite for Wonder'The Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics (AHA!) at Stanford will be hosting Professor Richard Dawkins for an interview about his new autobiographical memoir, An Appetite for Wonder, followed by a Q&A and book signing (books will be available for purchase at the event). Richard Dawkins is the former Professor For Public ...
Where: StanfordCost: $15 General, Stanford Students free
Monday, 10/07/13
PHYSICS AND LAW: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND 21ST CENTURY BUSINESSWayne Sobon of Inventergy, Inc, a Cupertino-based investment and licensing company, will be discussing how intellctual property is a modern business asset with ties to science, business, and language. Mr. Sobon will delve into his career path from an undergraduate degree in physics to patent law.
The expression of cancer-specific biomolecules by a tumor is dynamic in time, space, and may depend on the physiological environment the cells are in. Hence, in order to truly study cancer biology at the molecular level, it is important to visualize these biomolecules in living subjects – their most natural ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Rising Power: Cleaning Coal in ChinaChina consumes nearly as much coal as the rest of the world combined, and is leading the world in greenhouse gas emissions. Now, even as China builds more coal-fired power plants, it is working to roll out technologies to burn that coal more cleanly - from anti-smog filters to systems ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Accountability and Outcomes in Addiction Treatment in an Era of Health Care ReformNew standards of accountability are emerging in addiction treatment as a result of recent parity legislation and health care reform that involve the full range of unhealthy use to dependence. Gain an understanding of some of the key outcome and performance measures in the field as accountability becomes more integrated ...
Tumbling down Mt. Tamalpais through Muir Woods to the Pacific,Redwood Creek has enchanted generations, from the elite of San Francisco's Bohemian Grove to Zen meditators and more. But the creek and its critically endangered salmon were loved almost to death.Speaker: John Northmore Roberts, Landscape Architect
Where: AlbanyCost: Free
Earth Matters: 'Fracking'-The Blue Bridge to a Green Future?Fracking"-shorthand for obtaining natural gas through hydraulic fracturing-has become one of the most widely recognized and emotionally charged words in our contemporary energy lexicon. Thanks to abundant supplies, relatively low prices, and cleanburning properties compared to coal, shale gas is booming in the worldwide market. But concerns about the environmental ...
