Interstellar dust grains - small sub-micron-sized particles that pollute the space between the stars - play an important role in the chemistry of the galaxy as well as the star and planet formation process. We glean most information about dust composition in the interstellar medium from infrared spectroscopy. The vibration ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Inflationary B-modes and BICEP/Keck ExperimentsProf. Chao-Lin Kuo holds a joint faculty apptmt. with the Dept. of Physics at Stanford University and the Particle & Astrophysics Dept. of SLAC. Kuo will give the Mar. 11, 2014 Applied Physics/Physics colloquium
Nicole Crane will focus on a unique approach to conservation and management in the Ulithi Atoll in the remote outer islands of Micronesia. As part of a diverse team of marine biologists, Crane works with communities to activate them to implement needed changes by sharing the ecological knowledge the team ...
The 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 with early substrate-handling robots, the speaker ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Conversations on Science: Pandemic! A Plan for the PlanetArmed with high-tech tools and a small army of fieldworkers, Nathan Wolfe hopes to re-invent pandemic control and reveal hidden secrets of the planet's dominant lifeform: the virus. Wolfe has spent his life studying deadly viruses to detect worldwide disease pandemics before they kill millions. He is founder and executive ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $27 General, $25 Members
Where the Wild Genes AreIn 1998, the Human Genome Project sought to represent humanity in general. In contrast, a few years earlier, NIH promoted the study of race in the human genome. This talk discusses the impact of the two events on genomic science in Biopolis, a biomedical hub in Singapore. Professor Ong examines ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Dancing with Symmetry to Harness the Power of Complexity: Subjective Programming in ContextAt any instant when you are programming, some details rise to the foreground and others recede into the background context. The manner in which the programming language supports context profoundly affects the ease of evolution and reuse. We propose a language paradigm that amplifies the power of object-oriented programming by ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Science for YouthScience for Youth promotes the love of science through exciting demos, interesting videos, and thought-provoking hands-on activities. Past topics include: Chemical Bonding, Weather and Natural Events, Genetics and DNA, Renewable Energy, Newtonian Motion, and the Solar System. (Most appropriate for youth, ages 8-12)
Where: San JoseCost: Free
'Science Denialism' a public talk by Dr. Eugenie ScottThe Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and Berkeley City College will host a free public talk on "Science Denialism," by Dr. Eugenie Scott. Dr. Scott's presentation will discuss how both evolution and global warming are "controversial issues" in education, but are not controversial in the world of science. Rhetoric and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free & tickets required
Brewing Biodiversity: Food webs and ecosystem services in the coffee agroecosystemCoffee evolved under the forest canopy, and has been traditionally grown under the shade of trees. Yet over the past decades, coffee production systems have been intensified leading to a reduction or removal of the shade canopy, and higher levels of chemical inputs. The negative impacts of coffee management intensification ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Computational Mathematics Gives You WingsI'm a computational mathematician. My colleagues and I develop mathematical models for engineering or science applications, and write computational algorithms to simulate the models on high performance computers.We use our algorithms to model fluid flow around airplanes or sails, in oil and gas reservoirs, in the ocean and atmosphere, or to optimize ...
Where: BelmontCost: Free
Learning Astronomy at the Santa Rosa Junior College.Our own Laura Sparks; SCAS Membership Director, and Keith Waxman are astronomy instructors with the Santa Rosa Junior College. Keith holds class at the Santa Rosa campus, while Laura does the same at the Petaluma campus. They will share what astronomy courses are available at both SRJC Campuses, along with ...
California is currently experiencing the deepest drought in 500 years, yet its effects are more severe in some parts of the state than others. Learn how bad it is for the Bay Area and what's being done to stretch water supplies until the next wet year.+ Paula Kehoe / SFPUC + Mike ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, Free for members
Get Your Goose On! Nature Program for KidsEver wonder about the San Francisco Bay wetlands and the wildlife in your very own backyard? Join us for an adventure here at your local library. You'll get up close and personal with real feet and beaks of birds while you play bird games and create your own wild craft. ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
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
SUPERBUGS AND DRUG-DESIGNHave you ever wondered how scientists discover the antibiotics that we take to fight bacteria? It might surprise you to know that when our grandparents were young, there really was no such thing as an antibiotic, when diseases like tuberculosis were invariably deadly. Two fortuitous occurrences in the middle of ...
Speaker: Michael Weisberg, Univ. of PennsylvaniaRoom 107
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Climate Change and a Shifting Sense of PlaceJoin the Institute at the Golden Gate for an engaging conversation on how biodiversity loss and climate change is already affecting how we engage with parks and open spaces. To make progress towards combating and adapting to climate change, and halting the loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems, it ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Chronic SinusitisNasal and sinus problems are among the most common health conditions for which patients seek medical attention. Rhinosinusitis is the number one self-reported chronic health condition in the United States, affecting between 30 and 40 million people each year. This talk will explore current evidence based updates on the medical ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Unleashing Your Creativity SOLD OUT: Watch the live stream SOLD OUT: Watch the live stream at www.jccsf.org/live.As founder of IDEO, David Kelley built the company that created many icons of the digital age-the first Apple mouse, the first Palm Treo and the thumbs up/thumbs down button on your TiVo's remote control, to name a few. But what really intrigues ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $22.50 Members
Global and Local Negotiations on Climate MitigationDeputy Director General at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Mr. Meijenfeldt was also special Envoy for Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2013 and chaired the Dutch participation in the global diplomatic activities to reach a climate agreement.Speaker: Hugo von Meijenfeldt
All of us know that tobacco advertisers prey on people. We even know that "light" cigarettes are a total joke. Tonight we'll hear the history of cigarette advertising targeting women and see how women are still so important to the tobacco industry. Bogus health claims abound even now in advertising, ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: FREE
Friday, 03/14/14
Explore the Exploratorium for Free! Pi DayJoin us for Pi Day, the mathematical holiday founded at the Exploratorium and celebrated by number lovers around the world. To honor the never-ending number 3.14159... (and Einstein's birthday), we'll serve up pi-themed activities, rituals, antics, and plenty of pie. Find out what's so special about this famous mathematical constant, ...
Celebrate Pi DayCome celebrate the never ending number! Play games, make up Pi poems and songs and discover the fun of launching pies at far off targets using giant sling shots! While the Sun is shining, bake a delicious solar oven pie and be a judge in our pie tasting contest.
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
Celebrate Pi DayCome celebrate the never ending number! Play games, make up Pi poems and songs and discover the fun of launching pies at far off targets using giant sling shots! While the Sun is shining, bake a delicious solar oven pie and be a judge in our pie tasting contest.
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
Mind Matters: Mapping the Human Mind Through Neuroscience: Meet the CollaboratorsMind Matters is an interactive, visual and educational art exhibit to promote public information and general education about neuro-scientific discoveries. An interdisciplinary exhibit at the intersection of arts, technology and science, it is the fruit of collaboration of small groups of artists and scientists, working together and stimulating each other's ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Pi in the Sky Moonlight HikeThe brightness of the Gibbous moon guides our exploration of the redwoods on this easy 2-3 mile hike. After the hike, stay and view the night sky through our telescopes (weather permitting) or tour our Telescope Makers Workshop. Hike will take place rain or shine.
Where: OaklandCost: $17
Ask a Scientist's PI DAY Puzzle PartyTrying to decide how you're going to celebrate Pi Day (3.14) this year? Avoid the congested airports and typical math holiday madness, and join us instead for Ask a Scientist's Pi Day Puzzle Party - a boisterous math and logic puzzle competition, hosted by the inimitable Wes Carroll. You can compete ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Green Friday: Fracking in California: Can We Still Be a Climate Leader!The Sierra Club "Don't Frack California" team will explain what "fracking and acidizing" is and why the oil industry's attempt to greatly expand its efforts in California poses major risks to the water we drink, the air we breathe, our climate, and our future, driving California backwards instead of forwards as ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Suggested donation $3
STEM: Inventing Future EntrepreneursThe U.S. is ranked 52nd in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) education. With a continual decline in Americans pursuing advanced education in STEM fields (> 67% of engineers receiving Ph.D.'s in the U.S. are not U.S. citizens), there is an undeniable need to foster and culture 'home-grown' innovators. The ...
Where: Los Altos HillsCost: $8 General, $5 Students (includes parking)
Snacking, Gorging, and Cannibalizing: The Feeding Habits of Black HolesA new generation of telescopes is coming online. Operating at wavelengths from radio, through optical, to gamma ray, they are particularly well-suited to time-domain survey science: essentially, making large-format movies of the sky. These telescopes will have the capability to tell us about how black holes grow: through cannibalizing each ...
Where: Los Altos HillsCost: Free ($3 parking charge)
Saturday, 03/15/14
Eye-Opening Science: The Changing Oceans: Ocean AcidificationIn addition to global climate change, one of the consequences of increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is that this gas is dissolving into the world's oceans, creating ever more acidic conditions. Many organisms that use calcium carbonate minerals to build skeletons and shells are vulnerable to ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $35 General, $25 Members and Seniors
Presidio Birdlife Come see what birds hang around the Presidio in March and learn about our diverse birdlife on a moderate 2-mile walk. Meet ranger Will Elder in front of the Beach Hut located on East Beach on Crissy Field. Reservations required; call (415) 561-4323.
Where: San FranciscoCost:
Ocean BiodiversityLearn about our ocean's biodiversity from two great presenters!David McGuire-Swimming with Sharks: Cal Academy's ocean adventurer will show videos and tell stores about our local sharks and explain the importance of saving them.Greg Cotten-Local Harbors to the Arctic: Underwater photographer and marine biologist will share photos and stories from his field ...
Marine Science Institute loves sharks! This special Shark Day invites one and all to learn about these amazing creatures, from the great whites that swim just off these ocean shores, to the gentle leopard sharks that are common in the Bay. You will be feeding and touching local leopard sharks ...
Mechanical engineers often try to understand how changing a machine's design affects its performance. After a hundred years of designing internal combustion engines, for example, we now have the ability to optimize parameters such as fuel efficiency and horsepower. Far removed from the macroscopic world with which we are all ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
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?
The Albatrosses of Midway: Ecology and Conservation of Pacific Ocean WanderersAlbatrosses travel thousands of miles across ocean basins, returning to land only to nest. Midway Atoll, a tiny island in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian chain, is one of the world's largest albatross colonies, hosting more than a million birds. Sharing his experiences from 20 years at Midway, Breck will tell ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
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
Advances in Early Detection Science: Finding Infant Markers of AutismThis talk will focus on early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants and young toddlers, summarizing existing research and describing new results from an ongoing prospective study. Developmental challenges beyond ASD that may occur in siblings will also be discussed. The talk will conclude with recurrence risk of ...
The theoretical concept of 'supersymmetry' (SUSY) remains the focus of many theoretical, and experimental particle physicists. This presentation discusses unexpected evidence buried deep in its mathematical structure that suggests it may have links to a concept in genetics.Speaker: Sylvester Gates, Univ. of Maryland
