Dark Energy from the Largest Galaxy MapsDark energy is a phenomena causing the Universe to expand more rapidly than can be explained by Einstein's laws of gravity. Its discovery merited the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.The effects of dark energy imprint on large galaxy maps. The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) on the Sloan Telescope has ...
Though threatened by pollution and development, San Francisco Bay is also home to the largest habitat restoration effort on the West Coast. Come hear how an ambitious new effort will offer voters an opportunity to establish steady funding to restore the bay's health for people and wildlife, while improving its ...
Where: San JoseCost: $10 General, Free for members
People, Palm Trees, and SurvivalHumans rely heavily on palm trees for food and fiber. Tarek Milleron focuses on wild palm fruit harvests in northern South America, where long traditions of climbing have given way to cutting down whole trees, wiping out the resource in local areas.Speaker: Tarek Milleron, UC Berkeley
Science and Society Undergraduate Research Symposium: fractured natures: disrupting the divides between 'Science' and 'Society'Scientific work is often understood to be something separate from social, artistic, or cultural influence. Increasingly, interdisciplinary inquiry pushes us to reconsider these perceived divisions. The 2014 Science & Society Undergraduate Research Symposium focuses on the social, the political, and the "scientific" (medical, technological, and beyond), proposing that these disciplinary ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
How Can We Protect the Internet Against Surveillance?In this talk, EFF's Technology Projects Director Peter Eckersley will survey they state of Internet security and surveillance in the wake of Edward Snowden's revelations. It is unlikely that we can protect most Internet users against sophisticated, targeted attacks by their own and other governments, but there is more reason ...
The answer to that question can't be found in a concrete tank. If you want to know why dolphins are smart, you must ask: What is happening in the dolphins' natural environment? Why does a dolphin need to be smart?Please join us for a presentation by science writer Pamela Turner, author of ...
Telehealth Challenges in the FutureWhat are the challenges for deployment of telehealth in the future? This lecture will focus on giving an overview of the evidence base of telehealth within the last 20 years. What can we learn from recent studies and implementation of telehealth at scale? Telehealth has been predicted to be a ...
Legitimizing governance with rigorous science is becoming more accepted in on-the-ground negotiations, but we have more work to do to bring resource managers, researchers, resource users, and environmentalists together to achieve our shared goals. In seeking common ground among these sometimes allied/sometimes at-odds groups, there is no substitute for strong ...
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
Saving the California CondorThe California Condor is a unique species with an inspiring conservation story and difficult current conservation challenges. Join Joe Burnett, Senior Biologist, Ventana Wildlife Society and Dr. Andrea Goodnight of Oakland Zoo as we learn how the joint efforts of U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Ventana Wildlife Society, Pinnacles National Park, ...
Where: OaklandCost: $12-20 General, $10-20 Members
The Wilds of San Francisco and You San Francisco has 32 pockets of undeveloped land set aside for the preservation of the natural world. These pockets hold the last remnants of wildness once found across the lands where we now live, but do we have room in our parks and our hearts for nature in this city? ...
Cutting Terrors Out of Fogs: History and Archaeology of the Point Reyes Naval Radio Compass Station NLG Established in 1920 along the southern stretch of Point Reyes Beach, the Point Reyes Naval Radio Compass Station represents a revolutionary development in maritime navigational technology. As part of the San Francisco Bay Entrance Group of radio compass stations, it protected sailors in the San Francisco sea lanes from the ...
Where: Point Reyes StationCost: Free
Diagnosing and Treating CataractsCataract, a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision, is one of the most common disorders of the eye. Most cataracts are related to aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. This talk will focus on the diagnosis ...
After Dark: CarnavalExperience life After Dark, an evening series exclusively for adults that mixes cocktails, conversation, and playful, innovative science and art events.Not a theater, cabaret, or gallery, After Dark contains aspects of all three. Each evening showcases a different topic-from music to sex to electricity- but all include a cash bar ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General; $10 Members; Free for Lab 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
Exploring the Future of ReproductionAs technology marches on and prospective parents have endless options for procreation, what are the medical and ethical ramifications for individuals, for families, and for society?Join swissnex San Francisco in collaboration with the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and an esteemed panel of experts to discuss and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 (free for students with ID)
For the past twenty years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agriculture, gardens, drugs and architecture. An "ethical-eating guru" and fierce advocate of sustainable agriculture and living, Pollan is one of the most compelling voices on subjects ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $27
Friday, 05/02/14
Ocean Science ExplorationDiscover the ocean with activities designed by UC Berkeley students. Learn about marine organisms and the adaptations that help them to survive in the ocean and take a deeper look at currents and waves and what makes ocean water move around the planet. Activities for all ages let everyone explore ...
The James Webb Space Telescope: Science Potential and Project StatusThe unprecedented sensitivity and resolution of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will significantly advance a broad variety of astrophysics soon after it is launched in 2018. Its large (6.5-m diameter) primary mirror and infrared instruments will allow it to see some of the very first luminous objects that formed ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Saturday, 05/03/14
California Cognitive Science ConferenceThe Cognitive Science Student Association is pleased to host the sixth annual California Cognitive Science Conference (CCSC). The theme for CCSC 2014 is "Creativity: The Inspired Mind" and we will be exploring this exciting topic through the lenses of psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, computer science, philosophy of mind and more.The ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $25 General, $20 Student
Consequences of Current Population TrendsThe world's population has passed the 7 billion mark and is still growing. Why should humanists care? Will we, or have we already, surpassed the carrying capacity of the earth? Will poverty and disease increase in the developing world? What will be the consequences of population aging and stabilization in ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: free
Public Open House at Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and CosmologyKIPAC Public Open House Astrophysics and cosmology talks, 3D Movies of the Universe, Planetarium Dome, Stargazing, Ask an Astronomer, and much more!Visitors will also enjoy free hotdogs, snacks and beverages, and a raffle drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the California Academy of Sciences or a telescope.Event is ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: free but pre-registration is mandatory
Apollo DreamsOne of the best dividends of a robust space program: the leftover ideas and hardware. Look back at some of these leftover concepts that have given birth to unexpected achievements. NASA's Apollo program was a great success. Because of Apollo's stellar achievements, its creators believed that the fruit of their ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
Public Stargazing at the Muir Heritage Land Trust's Fernandez RanchFree Public Stargazing at the Muir Heritage Land Trust's Fernandez Ranch with the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society. MDAS members will setup telescopes to view the Planet Jupiter, Saturn, our moon, and other objects. If it's too cloudy we'll reschedule this event for May 17th.Bring kids, binoculars, warm clothes (temperature can ...
Where: MartinezCost: 0
Searching for Planets in OphiuchusSearchers for extrasolar planets are using two techniques, radial velocity and a new strategy for finding a new category of planets that do not orbit any star, the so-called "free-floating" planetsSpeaker: Dr. Chris McCarthy, San Francisco State University
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Free
Sunday, 05/04/14
Free First SundayFirst Sundays of the month are free at the Oakland Museum of California. Pick up a treat for yourself or a loved one in the OMCA Store, or enjoy a lunch or snack in Blue Oak café. Take your pick and join an OMCA Docent for the Architecture Tour at ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
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
Counter Culture Labs Presents: The Science of Sound - RESCHEDULED"I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992. My instructor was Mr. Langley, and he taught me to sing a song. If you'd like to hear it I can sing it for you." - HAL 9000, 2001- A Space Odyssey.Is there a ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
DECODING ANNIE PARKER - film screening + discussionHelen Hunt, Samantha Morton and Aaron Paul star in this heartwarming story based on true events. Annie Parker (Morton) has a personal relationship with breast cancer. Her mother and sister died of the disease and ultimately she is dealing with her own diagnosis. Mean- while UC Berkeley geneticist Mary-Claire King ...
Where: San RafaelCost: $12; $9 CFI Members
Monday, 05/05/14
Drop-based microfluidics: Biology a picoliter at a timeThis talk will describe the use of microfluidic technology to control and manipulate drops whose volume is about one picoliter. These can serve as reaction vessels for biological assays. These drops can be manipulated with very high precision using an inert carrier oil to control the fluidics, ensuring the samples ...
PARC and design and innovation consultancy Smart Design's IxD Lab have developed a design vision for a wearable medical patch that illustrates how PARC's printed electronics technologies could change product design and development. Together we explored a variety of applications of printed electronics across a number of industries (transportation, wearables, structural monitoring, and more) where this type of technology could ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
East Bay Mountain Lions and MoreIn more than 40 years as a wildlife biologist and naturalist, Dr. James Hale has tramped the wildlands of the East Bay, studied our local wildlife, and become expert in how Native Americans used the land and its resources. In addition to consulting work, he leads interpretive walks, gives talks, ...
Where: AlbanyCost: Free
The Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark MatterThe ordinary atoms that make up the known universe, from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars, constitute only 5% of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The remaining 95% is made up of a recipe of 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $8 Members, $10 Seniors
