Join us for Pi Day, the mathematical holiday founded at the Exploratorium and celebrated by number lovers around the world, when we open our doors to the public for free.Note: Entry is subject to capacity; admission is not guaranteed. We don't accept group or field trip reservations; group entry is discouraged ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Evidence for the kSZ effect with ACTPol and BOSS: probing baryon physics in galaxy groups and clusters Through the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (kSZ) effect, the baryon momentum field is imprinted on the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Current small-scale high-sensitivity CMB experiments make this effect measurable, providing a unique handle on peculiar velocities and baryon physics. I will report significant evidence for the kSZ effect, obtained by combining CMB ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Mathematical Reasoning from an Eye-Tracker's PerspectiveRelational reasoning supports learning in many domains of knowledge, as integrating sets of relations allows one to make new inferences and understand broader conceptual systems. In the domain of fractions, the traditional notation is inherently relational, and comparing fractions is especially so, requiring the evaluation of relations both within and ...
Earth Under WaterNational Geographic explores the potential effects of sea level rise on our civilization over the next few centuries. "Earth Under Water" explains the science behind the prediction of sea level rise and shows what will happen if the levels rise with increasing speed. Then, we fast forward to the 23rd ...
Today, we stand at the very edge of a vast, uncharted digital landscape, where our collective memory is stored in ephemeral bits and bytes and lives in air-conditioned server rooms. What sources will historians turn to in 100, let alone 1,000 years to understand our own time if all of ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Ask a Scientist's PI DAY Puzzle Party Trying 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 ...
7:00-7:25: Jenn Smith(Mills College) on "Family Matters in Wild Mammals"Cooperation is common in mammalian societies...Read more7:25-7:50: Philip Sabes(UCSF/ Neuroscience) on "Brain-Machine Interfaces"Abstract forthcoming...Read more7:50-8:10: BREAK. Before or after the break, anyone in the audience currently working within the intersections of art and science will have 30 seconds ...
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. David Baker, Energy Reporter, The San Francisco Chronicle Jessica Lovering, Director of Energy, The Breakthrough InstituteWith many of America's first nuclear power plants nearing the ends of their expected lifespans, should they be shut down or given a new lease on life? In recent years ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Members, $7 Students
From microbes to landscapes: Managing the rhizosphere for productive, resilient, and healthy agroecosystemsSpeaker: Dr. Timothy Bowles. I am an agroecologist motivated to help make our agricultural systems restorative and resilient by increasing reliance on biodiversity and ecological processes. My research centers on how plant-soil-microbial interactions underpin sustainable resource use in agroecosystems and lies at the intersection of plant ecophysiology, soil biogeochemistry, and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $12 General, Free Students, Staff, Faculty
Performance-based Seismic Design of Tall BuildingsProfessor Jack Moehle is a renowned expert in the area of design and analysis of structural systems, with an emphasis on earthquake engineering, reinforced concrete construction, new and existing buildings and infrastructure, and development of professional design guidance.
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Being Human: The Primates Who Tell StoriesJoin cognitive psychologist Tania Lombrozo for an evening exploring humans' unique storytelling ability. Learn how these stories, or explanations, are central to our sense of understanding the world around us. We humans are curious creatures. When we don't understand, we ask questions. Why is the sky blue? How do birds ...
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope was launched into space in June 2008. The main instrument is the Large Area Telescope (LAT). Dr. Furniss will present the Fermi- LAT instrument and highlight its most interesting results after more than seven years of operation.Gamma-ray observations open a new window into the universe, ...
Physical processes influence organisms and their ecology in innumerable and intriguing ways. I will discuss three examples from the marine realm where environmental physics play a potentially important role in the performance and success of shoreline species. Ocean acidification, a global-scale perturbation to the chemistry of seawater, alters predator-prey interactions ...
Auto use is growing globally, along with the environmental and societal problems it generates, climate change most notably. A recent slowdown in the growth in vehicle-miles-traveled in the U.S. and Europe, however, has raised hopes that some parts of the world may have reached "peak driving." What is behind this ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Under pressure: Climate Change, Upwelling, and Eastern Boundary Upwelling EcosystemsUnderstanding how upwelling is impacted by natural and anthropogenic climate change is a vital step in maintaining a productive and healthy ecosystem in the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems (EBUE) of the world. In this seminar we will talk about two aspects of an interdisciplinary project that investigates the past, present ...
Where: TiburonCost: Free
Mega-DroughtTrends indicate that a major drought event is looming in the not-too-distant future. In as few as three decades we could experience conditions that would make the Dust Bowl of the 1930s seem like an oasis. Efforts to conserve, while admirable and desperately necessary, may already be too late. This ...
A few magic moments have occurred during my approximately 30 years of computer science research and 20 years of teaching. On the research side, I'll recount some specific challenges, and I'll explain a set of principles that have become career-long basic tenets of my approach to research. On the education ...
Nerd Nite SF #70: Stem Cell Types, Architectural History, and California Prisons!Is all the rain making you feel like a prisoner in your own historically notable home? Well, March 16th is the first day of the bacchanalia, so why dontcha make like Bacchus and get all ecstatic and inebriated at our celebration of smarts, obsession, and the surprising complexity of our ...
Taught by the skilled Naomi LeBeau (Park Stewardship Restoration Specialist), this class will provide an introduction to terminology commonly used in identification of plants with a focus on leaf and flower parts. Illustrated examples and hands-on experience will be emphasized. This is a chance to develop and build upon your ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Donations encouraged
How Early Nutrition Can Shape Gut Microbiota and Its Implications in the Autoimmunity EpidemicsThe gut microbiome consists of more than 100 trillion microorganisms, most of which are bacteria. It has been just recently recognized that there is a close bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiome and our immune system. Increased hygiene and a lack of exposure to various microorganisms have been held responsible ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $8 Members, $7 Student
Agricultural Landscapes: the last battleground for sustainability?Speaker: Fabrice DeClerck is a research scientist at Bioversity International where he leads the program on Biodiversity for Landscape Management and Restoration. His work focuses on the conservation and use of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and their contribution to global sustainability goals and human well-being. While founded in ecology, his ...
Put a scientific spin on St. Patrick's Day inside of the greenest museum on the planet!SCHEDULE OF EVENTSFancy a green-hued libation? Sip on green beer, Irish coffee, and Irish whiskey at bars around the museum.Lucky Crafts (Swamp) 6:00 - 10:00 pm, Try your luck making lucky charm crafts using recycled resources ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
Science in Law, Sci-Fi Scores, and MagnesiumIn the Balance: Bringing Science to Justice, Cinema Arts: The Sci-Fi Scores of Louis and Bebe Barron, Everything Matters: Magnesium Reinvent your Thursday nights at After Dark. Experience a fascinating array of unique, adult-only programs and events that change each week. Grab dinner by the Bay, play with hundreds of hands-on exhibits, crawl ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General; $10 Members; Free for Lab Members
The tallest owl in North America, the Great Gray remains elusive, mysterious, and a highly-prized sighting among birders. Learn about this bird's actual breeding range (which is different from the maps in field guides), its annual life cycle, and the challenges it faces with climate change.Speaker: Harry Fuller, Author
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Amanita phalloides (Death Cap Mushroom)Cat will explain how scientists determined the death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides, was an invasive species, and why we should care. She'll then tell you about 10 years of research at Pt Reyes National Seashore examining how Amanita phalloides spreads. Lastly, Cat will outline her ongoing work to determine the ecological role ...
Where: Santa RosaCost: Free
Friday, 03/18/16
Spring FlowersNative flowers can be found throughtout California. See of the native flowers that can be found at Tule Ponds.
STEAM at CuriOdysseyFor one night only, we'll fill CuriOdyssey to the brim with activities celebrating science, technology, engineering, art, and math! Dance with digital fire and rain by Kinetech Arts, contribute to an artful dream catcher installation by Bay Area artist Joyce Nojima, meld science and art with Museum of Craft + ...
Wolves, Bears, Bobcats, & Coyotes - oh my! Project Coyote Founder & Executive Director Camilla Fox will talk about why native carnivores matter, and how they keep ecosystems healthy. America's war against predators is costly, brutal, and ineffective. Learn about national programs aimed at stopping the mistreatment and mismanagement of ...
Where: OaklandCost: $12-$20
'The Universe of Galaxies and STEM Research Opportunities for Young People'The talk will be about how the basic elements of life on Earth were created inside the stars, the Science Internship Program, the Global SPHERE Network, and the importance of engaging young people in real STEM research projects outside the traditional classroom.Speaker: Raja Guha Thakurta, UC Santa Cruz Enjoy a ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Planetary Defense at LLNL: How to Protect Earth from Hazardous AsteroidsAsteroids headed for a collision with the Earth, if found early enough, can be acted upon to prevent the potentially devastating consequences of an impact. One technique to divert an asteroid, called kinetic impact, uses a spacecraft to crash into the body at high speeds. This approach delivers the momentum ...
Where: LivermoreCost: Free
MISSION: MARS - Toward the First Human Journey to the Red PlanetThe first human mission to Mars will be humanity's greatest adventure in space exploration in the 21st century. As with all expeditions, its success will depend on planning. The first steps are already under way, as we achieve longer spaceflight missions, plan for deep space journeys to Near-Earth Asteroids, and ...
Where: OaklandCost: $15
Saturday, 03/19/16
Solar Energy Training: Free Workshop on How to Install Rooftop PV SystemsJoin others who are interested in helping save the environment one rooftop at a time. This free, 3-hr. training workshop will teach you the basics of rooftop solar energy and how to install rooftop photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. The workshop is offered by SunWork (SunWork.org), a Bay-Area nonprofit that installs ...
Where: MilpitasCost: free
Guided Walk at Ano NuevoEvery year the largest haul out of Northern Elephant Seals on the west coast takes place on the southern San Mateo shorelines. Northern elephant seals come ashore to give birth and mate from early December through March. A memorable experience awaits as we walk along a two mile guided exploration ...
Where: PescaderoCost: $20
Arbor Day Green Connection BioBlitzJoin the California Academy of Sciences, the SF Department of the Environment, the Department of Public Works, the SF Planning Department, Nature in the City,and Friends of the Urban Forest as we document all the plants and animals we can over the course of San Francisco's Green Connection #1.The Green ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
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
Lichens on Mt. Diablo!Come learn about these charismatic farmers of the fungal kingdom with Ken-ichi Ueda, naturalist and (extremely) amateur lichen aficionado. We'll learn some basics of lichen biology, what microhabitats lichens can be found in, and how to identify a few species.We'll meet by the bathrooms at the lower summit parking lot ...
Where: Walnut CreekCost: $10 parking
Science Bites: Discover Bay Predators (River Otters)Take a bite out of science and discover Bay predators at Aquarium of the Bay. Find out what's on the menu as we explore three of the Bay's top predators; from unassuming sea stars, keen river otters, and awe-inspiring sharks, these predators rule their ecosystems. We'll be having fun with ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Aquarium admission
Since before seismic instrumentation was developed, ordinary people made valuable contributions to seismology by describing their experiences in earthquakes and the they saw – these reports are still used today to determine approximate magnitudes for past events. Similar reports are still collected, for example in the USGS "Did you feel it" web pages. In the ...
Human exploration of Mars isn't only about learning to live on the Red Planet…. it is about surviving the trip there! What does it take to travel to Mars? Join us to learn more about the journey to the Red Planet. Watch science demonstrations that highlight the challenges, participate in ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free with admission
Aquarium of the Bay and BayMobile Aquarium of the Bay has teamed up with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bay Model Visitor Center to create the Bay Model Alliance, a not-for-profit organization that benefits the Bay Model and its educational programs by bringing the Bay, its animals, and their habitats to you! Join us at ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Who are our Top Predators?San Francisco Bay is one of the most unique and truly beautiful places to live in the world. Part of what makes the Bay so special are the top predators that help keep our unique ecosystems in balance! Join us for this special event to discover who these top predators ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Water DetectivesIn Matamoros, Mexico, a severe water shortage led to a one-of-a-kind solution: The city put local children in charge of changing adults' attitudes and habits. Thousands of schoolchildren were enlisted as "water detectives." Educated about resource conservation, they were encouraged to discuss proper water usage with adults and were authorized ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
The Fight for WaterThis historical documentary, set during the 2009 California Water Crisis, follows the stories of two Central Valley farmers. They discuss how water restrictions and environmental regulations have threatened their way of life, their American dream and their community. The crisis point was an environmental ruling to protect an endangered fish ...
Where: San JoseCost:
Animal tracking for families at Lake MerrittDo you want to get closer to the lives of animals and become a nature detective? Do you want to read the secret stories written all around you? Learning how to track is like learning how to read, it opens up whole worlds of new learning. If you want to ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
'Language Making Nature'Today we find ourselves in urgent need of new ways to treat each other and the world around us, but few people realize that new relationships, new values, and new ideals cannot take shape until we learn how to create words that can serve as vessels to hold these ideas.Join ...
Where: OaklandCost: $5 - $10 donation requested
Sunday, 03/20/16
Science Bites: Discover Bay Predators (River Otters)Take a bite out of science and discover Bay predators at Aquarium of the Bay. Find out what's on the menu as we explore three of the Bay's top predators; from unassuming sea stars, keen river otters, and awe-inspiring sharks, these predators rule their ecosystems. We'll be having fun with ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Aquarium admission
At the basic level, all organisms need a few things to survive-food, water, and protection from predators. For a population to persist, they also need to reproduce. Animal reproduction comes in as many bizarre forms as do animal bodies. Dr. Allison Gong has spent her career studying life cycles and larval development of ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
Birding for BeginnersMillions of people around the world enjoy bird watching, but it can be intimidating if you're a rookie! Naturalist Tony Iwane will lead beginners through the basics of bird identification. The restored wetland of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is a beautiful backdrop for observing the antics of avian visitors as ...
Where: OaklandCost: $10
Conversations About Landscape: Delving into Bay Area History through Archives and RadarInvestigating California's hidden past requires delving into archives of old maps and records, and using high-tech equipment to search for artifacts in the field. Hear how two researchers are using these approaches, and what they've learned about the Bay Area's early history.Science Across Centuries Archaeologist Scott Byram will present some ...
