The Public Policy Program has put together an outstanding panel of speakers who will discuss this topic from a wide range of perspectives: Lauren Gelman, Jonathan Mayer, Joanne McNabb, and Charles Belle.
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Annual CES Download - Part 2This is Part 2 of our more popular meeting topics - a look at some of the latest and greatest, and sometimes weirdest new products shown at the Consumer Electronics Show. Additionally, there are a number of related events that are held just before and after CES that will be ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: $10 General, $Members free advance, $5 at door
There's one chance to save the Southern Resident killer whales from extinction and that moment is right now.Blaine residents and documentary filmmakers Rick Wood and Shari Macy teamed-up with Orca Network to create a groundbreaking documentary film about the resident orcas, Chinook salmon and the environment they live in.The film ...
Where: SausalitoCost: $5 Donation
Lecture and Q&A with Pandora CTO, Christ MartinJoin us for a lively discussion with Chris Martin, chief technology officer at Pandora. Chris joined Pandora in late 2004 just before the company began to transition the business into redefining radio. Since joining the company, he has managed the engineering function at Pandora. Today, Chris oversees a growing team ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Mars and Life - CANCELEDWhile the Curiosity mission to Mars is not designed to test for life past or present, it is very much involved in determining whether Mars could have once supported life. And the answer coming back from Gale Crater is an unequivocal "yes." The Curiosity team determined that at Yellowknife Bay, ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Astronomy Lecture February 24th, With Speaker – Dr. Jill Tarter, SETIPlease join Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society for the February 24th general meeting. Our monthly meetings begin with a short "What's Up" presented by one of our members, followed by a speaker.This month's speaker is Dr. Jill Tarter. The topic will be about looking for techno-signatures and describe some future SETI ...
Sustainability advocates have long had conflicted reactions to technology. On one hand, many individuals going back to 19th century Luddites and 1960s and 70s "appropriate technology" pioneers have questioned whether many forms of technology are desirable or sustainable. On the other hand, other technologies such as those related to renewable ...
Sustainable agricultural intensification in sub-Saharan AfricaSustainable agricultural intensification in sub-Saharan Africa is needed for poverty alleviation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and in order to meet other growing 21st century pressures. Yet dissemination of agricultural technologies remains a challenge in the region. I report the results of a randomized controlled trial in rural Western Kenya on adoption and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Informing Management of the World's Largest Groundwater Systems with Simply-Structured Model AnalysisDuring the 50 years since its development, groundwater flow modeling has become the tool of choice that, when used wisely, provides deep insight into the functioning of aquifer systems that can become a foundation of effective water-resources management. This presentation reviews typical difficulties in characterizing aquifer systems (due to heterogeneity ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Oracle v. Google: Are Java APIs Copyrightable?For the past 20 years, it has been widely believed that application program interfaces (APIs) were not protectable by copyright law because they were necessary to enable interoperability among programs, a kind of functionality that copyright law does not protect. In the Oracle v Google case, a trial judge ruled ...
There are important shortcomings in the means available to researchers to define and classify human group difference in past, as well as contemporary populations, along the loose concept of 'ethnicity'. Personal naming conventions usually adhere to unwritten social norms and customs that with time end up producing distinctive cultural, ethnic, ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Tending Your Inner Ecosystem: Nutrition for your Digestive SystemLearn how our invisible residents shape our lives from birth to old age. In this 1-hour class, we will discuss the importance of our "inner ecosystem" to our health and longevity. We will explore how modern lifestyle and dietary habits (such as readily available, highly processed foods) have altered our ...
Where: StanfordCost: $30
Lessons from the rim Fire: What it MeansWith California drought conditions building, 2013 and 2014 saw some of the worst fires in Yosemite and Sierra history. The Rim Fire and subsequent fires affected incredible amounts of acreage and economies in both the U.S. national forests and California's forests and parks. The recovery efforts and lessons learned involve ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: TBA
Current Advances in the Treatment of Common Shoulder DisordersThe scope of this talk will cover rotator cuff injuries, impingement, frozen shoulder, instability, and arthritis.Speaker: John G. Costouros, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center
Is it possible to restore tropical forests?Dr. Karen Holl will draw on her two decades of experience studying tropical forest restoration in Latin America to discuss what we know about the ability of tropical forests to recover from human disturbance. She will summarize the results of her long-term research in Costa Rica and offer examples of ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Science and Reason with Skeptics in the Pub, West BayIf ye value critical thinking, and if ye scorn the flim-flam man, join us, your friends. Skeptics in the Pub is a group of like-minded people informally discussing the latest in science or pseudoscience over good eats & ale.Skeptics in the Pub is a monthly meeting for discussion of topics ...
Come learn from world leading scientists as they address the organ donation problem in the United States and discuss tissue engineering and cryopreservation.Snacks and refreshments will be served, and many networking opportunities available.1:00PM Welcome1:25PM A Story of Survival due to Organ Transplantation Charity Tilleman-dick1:50PM Revolutionalizing Transplant Medicine - Organ Banking Dr Sebastian ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Adapting to Rising Tides in Mission Creek - CANCELEDLocated along the eastern waterfront of San Francisco, Mission Creek, one of the city's lowest-lying areas, is vulnerable to flooding from both sea level rise and stormwater runoff. For the past year, SPUR has been a leader in the Mission Creek Project, a public-private partnership to understand vulnerability and propose ...
Where: San FranciscoCost:
Formal Foundations of ClusteringClustering is a central unsupervised learning task with a wide variety of applications. However, in spite of its popularity, it lacks unified formal foundations. Recently, there has been work aimed at developing such foundations. We will discuss this work starting with results on clustering axioms.Speaker: Dr. Margareta Ackerman, Florida State ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Current research in kidney cancer risk and prognosis:: towards a transdisciplinary approachKidney cancer is diagnosed in more than 330,000 people each year worldwide, and accounts for 2.4% of all adult cancers and over 140,000 deaths annually. Incidence rates have been increasing sharply with unexplained variation in different countries and ethnicities. Epidemiological studies have identified several lifestyle and host risk factors, among ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
The Forgotten Epidemic: HIV/AIDS in Women and ChildrenJoin Arthur Ammann, M.D. as he discusses the global impact of HIV/AIDS in women and children. The scientific advances in HIV/AIDS that occurred over the next two decades were remarkable resulting in the near eradication of HIV in infants in the US and transforming an acute and fatal infection in ...
44th Annual Pauling LectureSpeaker: Joseph D. Puglisi, PhD, Stanford Magnetic Resonance LabRoom: Auditorium
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Driving the Future: Advanced Bioenergy Technology Development at the DOE Joint Bioenergy InstituteToday, carbon-rich fossil fuels, primarily oil, coal and natural gas, provide 85% of the energy consumed in the United States. Fossil fuel use increases CO2 emissions, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases and raising the risk of global warming. The high energy content of liquid hydrocarbon fuels makes them the ...
Lunar New Year NightlifeThis week, NightLife gives you a second chance to kick off your (lunar) new year.Catch a powerful performance by the Jing Mo Athletic Association, a Chinatown-based martial arts performance troupe.Plus, behold the mystery and wonder of a traditional Bian Lian Mask performance by Dan Chan.Pay homage to the "Year of ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Members
The Slimy and the Spineless: Portraits of Unsung Ocean HeroesA presenation and student-led discussion celebrating the art of science with authors/photographers Susan Middleton and Josie Iselin.Both Middleton and Iselin want us to appreciate the dazzling and bizarre beauty of algae and marine invertebrates and they want us to learn the science behind what we are seeing. They are also ...
Although officially protected in all of the Snow Leopard range countries, the laws have been rarely enforced due to lack of awareness, insufficient political will to uphold regulations, or a shortage of funds and trained personnel. Those snow leopards living outside protected areas are very vulnerable. Did you know there ...
Where: SonomaCost: $8
From black holes to superconductors (part 1 of 2)The Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics announces the second mini-course by Stanford physics faculty on recent fundamental advances in theoretical physics. The winter quarter's lectures will be by Professor Sean Hartnoll.Black holes have the remarkable property of irreversibility: if you fall into a black hole you can't get out (classically). This ...
Ritchie will discuss how philosophy, physics, games, theology, music, gardens, art & architecture can all be connected through readings of the secret history of diagrams. His recent 18 month residency at the ICA Boston culminated in The Long Count/The Long Game, a museum-spanning, multimedia production featuring diverse musical partners ranging ...
Hear about river response to the largest dam removal in history.Causing disturbance as a means of restoration: how well does it work?Will legendary salmon runs return?Speaker: Amy East, USGS Research Geologist
What's going on inside the nucleus of an atom? Why does it spit out radiation? Did you know that you are exposed to radioactivity every day? Learn the facts about this somewhat controversial topic.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission
Friday, 02/27/15
The Bosch Roadmap for Future Automated VehiclesAdvanced driver assistance systems already help drivers reach their destinations safely and more comfortably. Future systems will evolve from driver assistance over highly automated vehicles to fully automated driving. In this talk we outline the Bosch roadmap for future automated vehicles, assess the key challenges for introduction and give an ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Cheap GasolineThe plunge in gasoline prices is expected to boost economic growth this year and put money in the pockets of American drivers. But it also is causing increased sales of gas-guzzlers and undercutting efforts to move away from fossil fuels to reduce the risk of more severe weather.Gasoline selling for ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, Free for Members, $7 Student
We all want more health care and to pay less for it. Obamacare increased coverage but did little to stem rising costs. What is being done? There is a growing movement to integrate the accountability for treating and financing care. Hospital systems and large medical groups are assuming increasing financial ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $7 Students, Free Members
Saturday, 02/28/15
Threatened Oceans - Damaged Habitat & Plastic PollutionOceans and coastal waters of Central California are in peril because they are recovering from a myriad of historical destructive human actions and also are threatened by modern human actions. Historical threats that have had long-term effects include extirpation of keystone species such as sea otters, development, pollution, and fishing ...
Where: SausalitoCost: $20 advance/$$25 at door, free for members
Free Family Fun Day at YSI - Calling all local Science Agent Recruits!Attention all local Science Agent Recruits! Your presence has been requested for a Youth Science Institute first-ever secret mission. MISSION CODE NAME: Free Family Fun Day 2015 This year's theme: "Secret Science Agents" Your Mission includes: - Having Fun - FREE crafts and experiments, - FREE instructor-led ...
Where: Los GatosCost: FREE!
Science Saturday: Cool CatsCan you leap as far as a bobcat or pull as much weight as a mountain lion? Test your abilities and learn what makes these cats such cool predators. Compare their differences and similarities, examine skulls and real bobcat fur, as well as other activities! Join us for a fun ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: Free
The Dangers of Bridging the Golden GateFind out the dangers for which the bridge engineers had to design and prepare-above and below the sea surface.Meet Ranger Will Elder at the Battery Godfrey parking area off Langdon Court near Merchant Rd. and Lincoln Blvd.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free, reservations required
BayMobile Visits the Bay Model Visitor CenterAquarium of the Bay's BayMobile is coming to the Bay Model! Using our Mobile Bay Lab, visitors will experiment with the science of climate change and meet some of Aquarium of the Bay's animal ambassadors. All Bay Model visitors are welcome to stop by for this hour long program.
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Water you Gonna Do?! Interact with and learn about the three phases of water, explore how rising global temperatures change the water on our planet, and discuss the effects of rising sea level on wild habitats and people.Target audience: 2nd grade and up.
Where: SausalitoCost: 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, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Donation appreciated
It's Ptough to be a Pteropod! Measure and observe changing chemistry in an ocean-like environment, explore the complex food web, and discuss potential solutions to slow that change.Target Audience: 4th grade and up.
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
5 Tools You Can Use to Find the Elusive Gray FoxDo you sometimes see paw prints in mud or scat (poop) on the trails and assume that a dog left it? It could be from something else. Come along with me and I will show you how to distinguish and identify the markings of a gray fox. Gain some insights into the fox's nature and ...
Where: FremontCost: Free
Jazz under the StarsSee the first quarter moon and more thru our telescopes, while listening to KCSM Jazz 91 FM. Dress warmly and come by anytime between 6 & 10 p.m. Free parking in Marie Curie Lot 5. Directions here.
Learn how 3D printers work and why they are so popular. Watch a 3D printing demonstration. Use modeling software to create fun designs. You'll learn some materials science and walk away with a 3D model you can keep!Ages 10 and upRegister here.
Where: BerkeleyCost: $40
Monday, 03/02/15
A Survey of Optical Cluster Surveys Galaxy clusters, as the largest peaks in the cosmic density field, play an important role in astrophysics and cosmology. As the most dramatic features of large-scale structure, the abundance of clusters provides a key opportunity to test our understanding of structure formation and cosmic expansion history. In recent years, observational ...
Speaker: Daniel L. Sanchez is a Ph.D. candidate and a researcher in the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory. He is interested in quantitative analysis to inform public policy, focusing on bioenergy and climate policy. Daniel has previously held positions with the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Green for All, and the California ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Deciphering the Good-Turing Enigma: Estimating Probabilities of Unlikely and Unseen EventsIn their legendary WW-II effort to decipher the enigma code, I.J. Good and Alan Turing derived an equally enigmatic estimator for the probabilities of unlikely and even unseen events. It estimates the probability of events by considering not just the number of times they appeared in the sample, but also ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Large-Scale Solar: TomKat Center Seed Grant ResearchWith the occurrence of extreme weather events increasing and the effects of climate change impacting our food and water resources, the imperative to transform our energy system is self-evident. The TomKat Center Seed Grants fund research from across Stanford University that has the potential to contribute to a sustainable energy ...
