One of the most pressing issues in ecology is determining the drivers of ecosystem functioning and stability. Researchers and managers of ecosystems and populations of concern are often faced with determining the relative effects of top down forces (top predators and lower level consumers), and bottom up forces (nutrient loading ...
Where: Moss LandingCost: 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.
Summer Permaculture Incoming!The Urban Permaculture Institute of San Francsico offers a place-based permaculture design course focusing on urban strategies that work in the city or anywhere you may go. Through a mix of classroom time and hands-on activities, we will explore methods of designing and establishing regenerative communities and economies. We visit ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $850, payment plans and work-trade available
An Evening with Peter Norvig and 'Her', Movie Screening & TalkIt's a great pleasure of modern life to watch a wonderful movie, and then to discuss it with a smart friend. Even better when the movie is Her, Spike Jonze's 2013 sci-fi-rom-comabout a man who falls in love with a female-voiced operating system (think Siri) - and the smart friend is Peter ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15
Nucleosome dynamics in the cell cycleHeterochromatin, or packaging of DNA, is a way to control gene expression. Gene expression is a fundamental question on which lies the basis of all cell-based life. Mammalian studies are time consuming, difficult to handle, and lack the ancestral, conserved mechanism which is not understood. Drosophila embryo exist during early development as ...
Where: OaklandCost: 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 ...
Where: MillbraeCost: Free
Solving Real World Problems with Computer Simulations and Statistical ModelsMany modern problems involve computer simulations of physical or social processes, such as rocket science, groundwater contamination remediation, and health care policy. These simulators are typically very complex and expensive to run. Statistical models provide a fast approximation to the simulator, as well as a range of tools to help with design, analysis, prediction, ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Thursday, 06/25/15
Ford's Future: An Automaker and Mobility CompanyToday's global megatrends including population growth, expanding middle class, environmental concerns and gridlock in cities are challenging our current transportation model and limiting personal mobility, in both urban and rural areas. As consumer and commuting behavior is shifting around the world, companies are looking at new solutions and services, such ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free, register online
How to Clone a Mammoth--The Science of De-ExtinctionCould extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? The science says yes. Beth Shapiro, evolutionary biologist and pioneer in "ancient DNA" research, will discuss the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction. From deciding which species should be restored, to sequencing their genomes, to anticipating how ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $8 Members, $7 Students
Human Anatomy Drawing NightThis Thursday, explore the inner lineaments of the human body using pencil, paper, and actual anatomical specimens on loan from the Daly Ralston Resource Center at UCSF.Anatomical illustration is applied to medicine, forensic studies, evolutionary biology, and other scientific fields of research. Experience different ways of seeing and understanding the ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admiaaion
Pride NightlifeGet into the groove for this celebration of equality, self-expression, and SF Pride!Join drag queen extraordinaire Heklina, host of the weekly "Mother" party at new SF nightclub The Oasis, for a drag show of fabulously unparalleled proportions.Marvel at the acrobatic prowess and learn a tumble or two during a performance ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, $10 Members
Postponed: Date TBA Lessons Linking Wetlands to Water to WildlifeThe USGS Evening Public Lecture ("Mercury and Rice in the California Delta") scheduled for Thursday, June 25, has been POSTPONED due to an unexpected conflict. A future date for this presentation has not yet been determined.Please join us for our next public lecture on July 30, when USGS geologist Brian Atwater will talk about "The Cascadia Tsunami ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: FireworksCome ooooo and ahhhh at the science behind these big booms! Where do fireworks come from? Who invented them? What causes their beautiful colors, and how do the bursting shells create such different patterns? Join us for some real illumination, and learn the difference between a jerb and a lance.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission
Friday, 06/26/15
June 26th. Stargazing At Larkey Park with the Lindsay Wildlife MuseumFree Public Stargazing at Larkey Park with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Astronomy activities will be setup in front of Lindsay or in Larkey Park.Bring kids, binoculars, snacks, water. No need for a flashlight but if you must bring one cover it in red plastic. Astronomy program is weather dependent. Check ...
Where: Walnut CreekCost: Free
Evening with the Stars - SOLD OUTLick Observatory hosts the Evenings with the Stars, inviting the public to observe through both the 36-inch Great Lick Refractor and Nickel 40-inch Reflecting Telescope. Each evening also features two "star" astronomer speakers, who present programs even if clouds or fog prohibit viewing.Lick astronomers present multimedia lectures on their ...
Where: Mt. HamiltonCost: $20 General
Saturday, 06/27/15
Hayward Fault Walking TourOver the last million years, the natural beauty of Fremont has been shaped by the Hayward Fault. Instructors will be leading these 'ground breaking' tours and exposing the science and beauty of the Hayward Fault. This fault is one of several active faults in the world actually creeping at 5 ...
Where: FremontCost: $15
Plankton Soup WorkshopSometimes it is the little things that count... like Plankton! Spend the morning learning about, collecting, and viewing live plankton! Participants will enjoy a short presentation, deploy a plankton net to gather a concentrated sample of plankton from our dock, and take a closer look on our 10' projector screen ...
Join us for our Summer Maker Series. Come make, share and learn with hands-on activities. Bring your creativity and ideas, we'll supply enough projects to keep you busy making things all summer. This free, family-friendly series for all ages is hosted by Bon Air Center and Marin Maker Mobile.
Where: GreenbraeCost: Free
The Buzz about BeesFrom the White House to our local communities, there is a growing concern for the health and well-being of our honey bee populations, which pollinate one-third of the crops we depend on. Learn tips and techniques that will help you transform your garden into a safe oasis for honeybees, native ...
Come get that whole left-brain/right-brain in a twist! Join fellow bio-artists and makers for an afternoon of co-creating. Let's generate and exchange ideas as we begin to create a bio-art community in the East Bay. Bring materials and snacks for yourself and/or to share. Check out the fun we had last time ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
Jazz under the StarsCome meet our new astronomy lab technician Justin Stevick.See the first quarter moon, moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and more thru our telescopes, while listening to KCSM Jazz 91 FM. Dress warmly and come by anytime between 8:00 & 10:00 pm. Free parking in Marie Curie Lot 5. Directions here.
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Music of the Spheres concert and astronomy lecture - SOLD OUTOur Music of the Spheres Concert series is held annually in the summer. Join us and observe through the Great Lick Refractor and the Nickel Reflector.Performers: Aaron Lington, San Jose JazzSpeaker: Peter Jenniskens, NASA AmesTickets on sale starting April 17.
Where: Mt. HamiltonCost: $40 General (see website for other options)
Sunday, 06/28/15
Free Community Day at The Tech Museum of InnovationThis spring The Tech won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor a U.S. museum can achieve. To thank Silicon Valley for its many years of support, we are opening our doors to all - for free!Join us that day and explore our new exhibit, Cyber ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: FireworksCome ooooo and ahhhh at the science behind these big booms! Where do fireworks come from? Who invented them? What causes their beautiful colors, and how do the bursting shells create such different patterns? Join us for some real illumination, and learn the difference between a jerb and a lance.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission
Marine Sanctuary Expansion CelebrationCELEBRATE the newly protected ocean waters along our coast - the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries now include waters off the Sonoma and Mendocino counties!ENJOY Science station and art activities, research updates, sea life printing, seabird games, shipwreck expert, live music, and food vendors. Help ...
At June's Nerd Nite East Bay: Vanessa Knutson will discuss sex, slugs, and rock & roll. Chabot's Gerald McKeegan will tell us why relatively small asteroids may pose a threat to us. Finally, JGI's Esther Singer will share what we know about the microbes that surround us.Be there and be square.This event is 21+. Monday 6/29/2015
Sex, Slugs and Rock ...
Where: OaklandCost: $8 in advance; $10 at the door
Something that has been missing from San Francisco Bay since World War II appears to be making a comeback: Harbor porpoises are showing up in growing numbers, and researchers are trying to understand why they're returning. After the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, the bay's water quality began ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $12 General, Free for Members, $10 Seniors
Tuesday, 06/30/15
Asteroid Day Special EventTo celebrate 'Astreoid Day', the SETI Institute is holding a special event where two SETI asteroid scientists will give short presentations on the latest thinking on how to handle the Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) problem and the goals of NASA's Asteroid Return Mission (ARM). Michael Busch will give a talk ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Almonds and LawnsWith the severity of California's drought starting to sink in, urban and agricultural users are sparring over who should do more to step up. Lawns are getting killed. Should almond trees be next? Alfalfa or cotton? Is Governor Brown's plan a good one? Is he playing favorites?A discussion about a ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Member, $7 Student
Creative Collisions: Space +Art +YouThe second Creative Collisions event will bring together artists and space explorers. Meet Ariel Waldman, art school grad, adviser to the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program, and creator of Spacehack.org, a directory of ways you - you! - can participate in space exploration. Pick up a brush and help paint ...
Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were known to frequent San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) historically, but WWII activities in the 1940s caused them to retreat to coastal waters outside of the Golden Gate. Harbor porpoises remained absent from SF Bay for over 65 years, until 2008, when they began their return. ...
By definition, drugs are a medicine or other substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. Drugs are chemicals that alter, block, or mimic chemical reactions in the brain. They may be taken for medicinal purposes, as part of our daily routine such as ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $27 General, $24 Members
Marine Mammal Science: A Review of Collaborative Research at The Marine Mammal Center, SausalitoThe Marine Mammal Center has been rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals in northern California for 40 years. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation, The Marine Mammal Center conducts cutting edge science research through collaborations all over the world. The Center was the first to discover domoic acid in California sea ...