For more than a decade, Olin College of Engineering has been exploring three questions with regard to engineering education:Are we attracting the right people into engineering? Are we teaching them the right material? Are we using the most effective teaching methods? This talk will present an overview of lessons learned in each ...
To understand how we control motion, we need to understand the physical mechanism being moved. Emerging theories of vertebrate physiology are overturning the traditional bone-centric model of the body in favor of a "tensegrity" model, in which the primary load paths are in the continuous tension network of the soft ...
How Can Telomeres Cause Age-Related Disease?Carol Greider is internationally renowned for her important contributions to the field of molecular biology. She was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology of Medicine along with Elizabeth Blackburn and Jack W. Szostak for their discovery that genetic sequences known as telomeres are protected from progressive shortening by the ...
Professor Sir Michael Berry, Melville Wills Professor of Physics (Emeritus), University of Bristol, will give the Applied Physics/Physics colloquium
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Wild and Scenic Film Festival PreviewJoin us for a first look at the film line-up for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour coming to Oakland this April. Join host Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment for happy hour drinks (no host bar), appetizers, and a first look at the inspiring, empowering films ...
Major League Baseball Advanced Media's Robert A. BowmanBob Bowman serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of MLB Advanced Media, a position he has held since 2000. Following Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig's recommendation in January 2000, professional baseball owners voted to centralize their collective internet and interactive media operations under one roof by building ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost:
Night Sky Series, Class #3ROBERT FERGUSON OBSERVATORY - NIGHT SKY SERIESThe Milky Way; Spiral Arms, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Leo MinorPlease join us and instructor Jack Welch as we learn about our seasonal night skys through a very informative lecture, and then hands on stargazing with the Observatory's telescopes. You will be able to ...
Where: KenwoodCost: $23.00
Wednesday, 03/05/14
Free Days at Bay Area Discovery MuseumPlease join us for free on the first Wednesday of each month for a full day of creative and fun experiences for all.F
Learning and Longevity: Applying the Insights of NeuroscienceIn this presentation, we will quickly review scientific terms such as neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, cognitive reserve, and cognitive uncertainty as well as the myths about aging and cognitive fitness. We will delve into the strengths of the older learner in the context of age-related realities and propose an integrated health model ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $10 General, Free for students, staff and faculty
The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is a global acoustic telemetry infrastructure to document the movements and survival of aquatic animals, and link them to environmental conditions. Headquartered at Dalhousie University, and funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, OTN began ...
Telomeres and Telomerase: Past, Present, and FutureCarol Greider will present the Hitchcock lectures on March 4 and March 5, 2014. The second lecture is entitled "Telomeres and Telomerase: Past, Present, and Future." The lecture is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. About Carol Greider: Carol Greider is internationally renowned for her important ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Inventing a New Internet: Learning from IcarusFrom a future historical perspective, are we descendants of Icarus? Is our Internet like Icarus' wings? Are our protocols, ciphers and codes, brilliant capabilities built on immature engineering, which like Icarus' wax and feathers, are capable of taking us to great heights, but systematically flawed? For a brief historical moment, ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Saving the PumaMountain Lions are in crisis, facing increased conservation issues each year as humans encroach further into their habitat. Working with landowners and state agencies, BAPP scientists are using custom GPS-accelerometer collars to track and record pumas and their activities on a continual basis. This research will enable us to develop ...
Where: OaklandCost: $12-20 General, $10-20 Members
'Autism Breakthrough: The Groudbreaking Method that has Helped Families All Over the World'Mr. Raun Kaufman is former CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America and currently Director of Global Education. He is hoping to spread his amazing story of overcoming autism, which he was diagnosed with as a child. His book recounts how his parents devised a treatment that has helped ...
Over the past 50 years, agriculture has become increasingly reliant on pollinator-dependent crops: 75% all crop species depend to some extent on animal pollinators in order to produce fruits or seeds, and animal-pollinated crops supply a large proportion of essential nutrients to the human diet. However, honey bees, managed extensively ...
Where: AlbanyCost: Free
Thursday, 03/06/14
Pan-Optics: Perspectives on Digital Privacy and SurveillanceAdvances in drone aircraft, networked cameras, and recent disclosures about the NSA's international and domestic surveillance activities have stimulated public protests, outrage from activists, and new policy discussions among elected leaders. This symposium will highlight emerging perspectives on visual privacy and consider the state of the art from a variety ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $20 General, $10 Faculty and Staff, $5 Students
Institutions and Environmental Politics: Or Why the Keystone XL Pipeline Is So ControversialColloquium lunch followed by talk at approximately 12:30. RSVP. This paper explores the politics surrounding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada to the US Gulf Coast. It highlights the importance of political institutions and the failure of those institutions to include environmental opponents to oil/tar sands exploitation in ...
What is Metabolic Syndrome And Why Are Children Getting it?Robert H. Lustig, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF and Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with basic and clinical training relative to hypothalamic development, anatomy, and function and author of NY Times best-seller, Fat Chance.Room 120
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Introduction to the Botany SeriesNew to plant science? This class aims to be a fun introduction to the world of plants, and features short lectures, hands-on activities and educational games. We will survey other classes in the Park Academy botany series, and cover topics such as plant parts, using plant keys, scientific plant names, ...
The South Pole is the driest place on Earth. The lack of water vapor allows astrophysicists to see through the atmosphere in microwave frequencies to study the left-over radiation from the early universe, known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. Dr. Kuo will describe the BICEP/Keck series of experiments, an ...
Symbolic Systems Distinguished SpeakerDouglas Hofstadter, Indiana University
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Svante Pääbo: Neanderthal Man - In Search of Lost GenomesWhat can we learn from the genes of our closest evolutionary relatives? Come hear the story of geneticist Svante Pääbo's mission to answer that question, beginning with the study of DNA in Egyptian mummies in the early 1980s and culminating in his sequencing of the Neanderthal genome in 2009. From ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 non-members, $8 members, $7 students
After Dark: Extended CinemasJoin our cinematic celebration, the passive act of watching films turns active through listening, peering, touching, and interacting throughout the Exploratorium.Play voyeur by immersing yourself in cinema created by artists from near and far, presented on screens big and small.
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Members
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 in Menlo Park at Café Borrone http://www.cafeborrone.com/ between Kepler's Books and the British Banker's Club! Look for someone wearing a CFI (Center for Inquiry) T-Shirt. Café Borrone
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Outdoor Adventure NightLife Wanna get out? This week, NightLife explores the exciting, earthy fun that awaits you in the great outdoors.Learn about BIG cats-and see a live mountain lion and bobcat (rawr!)-from Wild Cat Education and Conservation Fund.View a curated selection of short films from Mountainfilm, a Colorado-based independent film festival. Screenings include ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Members
The water supply is in the tank in more ways than one. Climate change and reckless use of water are conspiring to run us dry. Agricultural practices, corporate disregard for the environment and poor public planning are all part of the problem. Transition Berkeley invites you to join us for ...
Why Dolphins Are SmartRide alongside the author and her scientific team and meet a cast of dolphin characters large enough (and charismatic enough) to rival a Shakespearean play-Puck, Piccolo, Flute, and Dodger among them. Ms. Turner will share her book's story of Georgetown University professor Janet Mann and her research conducted at Western ...
Where: Walnut CreekCost: $15 non-member ($10 member) $5 students with ID
Join us for an encore evening with Doug Fine ("America in the Drug Peace Era," Fall quarter) as he describes his decade-long adventure living off the grid on a remote solar-powered ranch in New Mexico. Ten years ago, Fine says, he rediscovered his "indigenous gene"-the part of every one of ...
Jonathan Franzen's ascent from literary to public acclaim came in 2001, with publication of his novel The Corrections. The book was awarded the National Book Award and endorsed by Oprah's Book Club. In 2010 after publication of his novel Freedom, he was featured on the cover of Time. Freedom rocketed ...
Transmission Constraints in Electricity Markets: Evidence from a Nuclear Power Plant ClosureThe San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) was closed abruptly and permanently in February 2012. During the previous decade, SONGS had produced about 8% of the electricity generated in California, so its closure had a pronounced impact on the wholesale market, requiring large and immediate increases in generation from other ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
For Goodness SnakesThis one-of-a-kind educational experience will introduce children to the fascinating world of snakes and other reptiles. Come enjoy the opportunity to hold and interact with the docile animals of For Goodness Snakes.
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Health Care Reform Update: Progress and ChallengesThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal health reform law was passed four years ago. What has the ACA accomplished, what progress has been made, and what health reform challenges lay ahead? This public lecture provides an overview of what every health professional and consumer needs to know.
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
5 Outstanding Women Of Aviation Come and become inspired by 5 outstanding Women Of Aviation at the Hiller Aviation MuseumA panel free to attend and opened to Q &AIn addition to participating to this event, you may also submit entries in the Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week's art contest and photo contest to win more prizes.Would you ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
Free Stargazing of the Moon, Jupiter, Orion Nebula Star Nursery March 7th San RamonThis Friday, March 7th, the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society and San Ramon Parks are holding a free public event at Old Ranch Park from 7 PM to 9 PM, many fine telescopes will be setup to observe craters on the Moon, the giant planet Jupiter and a few of its ...
(check website for updates)For more than nine years, scientists have been doing fieldwork on Mars in the first overland investigation of another planet. Working through programmed robotic laboratories, called the Mars Exploration Rovers, they have a virtual experience of being on Mars. The Spirit and Opportunity teams have driven over 28 ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Saturday, 03/08/14
Botany Series: Basic BotanyHow do plants work? If it's been way too long since that high school biology class, come take a step back with Ely Huerta-Ortiz (Presidio Nursery, Community Programs Manager) and Annette Russell (Marin Headlands Nursery, Seed Collection Specialist). We will learn the basic processes that plants go through in life, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
Chemistry of Plant Fibers and DyesWhat is a dye, and what distinguishes it from a mere pigment? What is typical of plant fibers as compared to animal fibers?This class is a gentle introduction to the chemistry of color and to the special structures of colorful plant substances and those that can be used as dyes ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $25 General, $20 Members
NOVA Making StuffMake stuff wilder, safer, faster, and colder at this series of events inspired by NOVA's MAKING STUFF on PBS. Whether you design a mechanical eagle claw or a cooling device to take on your next tropical vacation, what stuff can you make out of your ideas?
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
Fish Feeding FrenzyWatch Ranger Linda feed the hungry inhabitants of our fresh and salt water tanks. Get familiar with some of our Bay Area aquatic neighbors. Watch the different feeding styles of the rock cod, sea stars, and rainbow trout.
Reading the leaves of an ancient beverageChock full of strange and wonderful compounds, tea is a royal beverage with a tale to tell. We'll venture through Chinatown and beyond to sample flavors, do some study of oxidation and diffusion, and dissect the differences between green, black, and oolong. We'll also happily ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $45 (Schmooze price)
For Goodness SnakesThis one-of-a-kind educational experience will introduce children to the fascinating world of snakes and other reptiles. Come enjoy the opportunity to hold and interact with the docile animals of For Goodness Snakes.
Speaker: Dr. Karl Mathia, President, Zidecs AutomationAbstractThe talk emphasizes the technical challenges with the automation of ultra-clean semiconductor factories, and discusses cleanroom robotics as an example. Topics include cleanliness requirements, design guidelines for cleanroom robots, kinematics and dynamics, as well as the installation and test of cleanroom robotic systems. Beginning ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
The Ultimate Camping TripOne may compare the characteristics of a great outdoors person to those of an astronaut. Both capable and courageous; Both venturing out into the unknown embarking on a quest for great perspective. What does it take to push the boundaries past Earth and journey into space. Join the conversation with ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
Sunday, 03/09/14
BioBlitz: I Spy Marine Mammals!In conjuction with National Geographic's BioBlitz in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this month we celebrate and hihglight how researchers study marine mammals in the wild with BioBlitz: I Spy Marine Mammals in a fun, educational way for both kids and adults. We recommend teaming our free classroom program with a Docent-led tour ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
Junior Academy: Naturalist Know-howCalifornia Academy of SciencesSundays at 2pm – 2:45pm (sign-up at 1:30pm) Naturalist Center / Lab (Level 3 across from the Planetarium exit)This program is designed for youth ages 8 to 11. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20 youth with attending adults. Onsite registration is ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Academy admission
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Senior/Student, $8 Child
Monday, 03/10/14
For Goodness SnakesThis one-of-a-kind educational experience will introduce children to the fascinating world of snakes and other reptiles. Come enjoy the opportunity to hold and interact with the docile animals of For Goodness Snakes.
Where: San JoseCost: Free
LISTENING TO THE SYMPHONY OF SPACETIMEDr. Jocelyn Read from CSU Fullerton will introduce the new field of gravitational-wave astronomy, and talk about how gravitational waves might help us learn about the interiors of neutron stars.
Integrated photonics, already important for classical communication, has numerous other potential applications that are being explored. This talk will describe several research projects in the Large-Scale Integrated Photonics Group at HP Labs related to quantum computing, classical computing, and sensing.First, I will describe our attempts to develop components of an on-chip optical network in diamond to ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Where's Rosie? The State of Personal RoboticsEven before Rosie made her debut on "The Jetsons" in 1962, consumers had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their personal robot. Well, it's now more than 50 years later, and we have vacuum cleaners and thermostats. What's taking so long for general-use, multi-purpose robots to make it into the ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 non-members, MEMBERS FREE, $7 students
Program:6:45pm-7:00pm: Socializing/networking.7:00-7:25: Katherine Worel(Visual Artist) on "Touch Me There"What is the role of plastic art in the digital age?...Read more7:25-7:50: Ellen Fullman(Musician) on "A Compositional Approach Derived from Material and Ephemeral Elements"Acoustics, engineering and musical composition with the Long String Instrument...Read More7:50-8:10: BREAK. Before or after the break, ...
