Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Global energy-economic models, such as MESSAGE with which I work at IIASA, have proven valuable for assessing long-term energy transitions and their environmental implications under a range of policy and technology scenarios. However, the broad geographic and temporal scope of these models has required a trade-off in terms of spatial ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
SOLVING BIG PROBLEMS WITH SMALL ACCELERATORS: FROM COLLIDERS TO MEDICAL DEVICES BASED ON LASER PLASMA ACCELERATORS Dr. Wim Leemans of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will discuss the progress on building laser powered, plasma based particle accelerators where electrons surf on waves and can reach energy levels in a few inches that would conventionally require machines multiple football fields long. Although many challenges remain, this new technology ...
Energy is used in every part of the global economy�"powering our homes, businesses, factories, and cars. Meeting our country’s (and indeed, the world’s) climate commitments therefore means reducing emissions from every sector. Smart energy policy can drive down greenhouse gas emissions quickly and affordably, while stimulating innovation and economic growth. Alternatively, ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Nerd Night East Bay 48: Stoicism, Dark Energy, HealthEase out of post-Thanksgiving torpor with Nerd Nite East Bay. An evening of drinks and education begins with Seamus O'Donnell's exploration of stoicism. Virtue is based on knowledge, so we continue with Astronomy on Tap's Jeffrey Silverman's discussion of dark energy, We conclude the evening with alumnerd Sharon Osterweil's dive ...
Where: OaklandCost: $8 advance, $10 at door if available
Tuesday, 11/29/16
Robust Emergence of diverse planetary systemsRecent observations indicate that super Earths are common whereas gas giants are relatively rare. Based on the sequential core accretion scenario, Dr. Lin will discuss how various physical effects which may lead to the prolific production of super Earths, independent of the mass and metallicity of their host stars, and the marginal occurrence ...
Natural History of Lake MerrittDive into Lake Merritt's past with this easy walk near the water's edge. We'll talk about the past and present ecology of the area, and how Lake Merritt has changed over the years.Â
The Trump Administration: Implications for Energy and Climate - A Bipartisan DiscussionWhat will U.S. energy policy look like under a Trump administration - and a Republican congress? And what are the implications for U.S. and international efforts to address climate change?Speakers:Jeremy Carl, Hoover InstitutionArun Majumdar, Precourt InstituteMichael Wara, Stanford Law SchoolKatharine Mach, Stanford Woods InstituteDan Reicher, Stanford Steyer-Taylor CenterRoom 190Â
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Better End-of-Life Care: Using Video and Story to Aid DecisionsWhy do so many Americans die in ways they say they don't want, suffering and tethered to machines? When Harvard physician Dr. Angelo Volandes had trouble explaining to his dying patient the possible consequences of her treatment options, he walked her down to the ICU. She immediately understood where her ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: see weblink
Trees of Lake MerrittWhat's that tree? Do you know the difference between a giant sequoia and a coast redwood? How about a turkey oak and a valley oak? Join us for this introduction to the trees around the Rotary Nature Center and Lakeside Park. We'll talk about trees native to Oakland as ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Dark Matter: Detecting Gravity’s Hidden HandDark matter is one of the most mysterious components of the universe. Yet it makes up 23 percent of the mass of the universe â€" six times the mass of ordinary, atomic matter. Physicists have never observed dark matter particles directly, but we see their influence throughout astronomy. The gravitational pull of ...
Speaker: Susan Walters, California Emerging Technology Fund
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Discover Marine Life at Lake Merritt!Did you know that organisms from all over the world make their home in Lake Merritt?Naturalists from the Rotary Nature Center will guide you through a hands-on experience with marine invertebrates that live on the boat docks. Come learn about sea squirts, sponges, flatworms, bubble snails, and more! We'll talk ...
The common wild species in citiesâ€"pigeons, dandelions, snailsâ€"are at best unloved. But writer Nathanael Johnson and artist Mona Caron ask us to give our attention to the urban wilderness. Learning to truly see our nonhuman neighbors can make life richer, and might just be the first step in more complex ...
Are owls really wise? The seductive blink of their eyes and slow turn of their heads certainly suggest deliberation and purpose. Wisdom, however, is hardly an attribute of these efficient killing machines. Rather, an owl is an incredible composite of exquisitely tuned sensors, combined with great muscular strength and an ...
Speaker: Paul Markovich, Blue Shield of California
Where: San JoseCost: Free
After Dark: GlowTonight, excite your atoms at Glow, our annual festival of ebullient lights and subtle glows celebrating the close of the year. Bask in the mesmerizing gleams of special installations and kinetic sculptures, take a shine to illuminating exhibits, and show your sparkle with scintillating activities.Age 18+PRESENTATIONSGliss Glass By Krys ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $10 Members
Cafe InquiryMeet up with rationalists, skeptics, and freethinkers south of San Francisco
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Feel the Force NightLifeChannel your inner Jedi during an evening of galactic entertainment inspired by a galaxy far, far away.Geek out like never before while exploring the Academy from an entirely new perspective. Wander around among droids, pose for photos with local costume clubs Endor Base, The 501st, and Mandalorian Mercs and come ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
Resilience is an amazing story of research, understanding and hope for our children's futures and for ourselves. People hope that every child lives in an safe and healthy environment. Most people know that neglect, abuse and unhealthy environments are damaging to children. The new documentary Resilience is about dedicated people ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $8 Members, Free for students
Dr. Craig Packer, the world’s leading expert on lion conservation, has sparred with angry trophy hunters, taken on corrupt politicians and fended off death threats. Two years ago, he was accused of “tarnishing the image of the Government of Tanzania†by making derogatory statements about the trophy hunting industry and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $28 - $38 General, -10% members
Friday, 12/02/16
Birds and BotanyHike the forests, meadows and hills around Pine Flat and up Redhill with ACR Volunteer Patrick Woodworth & ACR Resource Ecologist Dave Self. We’ll be watching (and listening) for birds on the hike out. After lunch, we'll botanize as we consider the seasonal interplay between bird foods, habitat history and current activity ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: Free
Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Computational Optimization of Solar Thermal and Natural Gas Power SystemsIn order to facilitate the rapid adoption of renewable energy, it is necessary to identify low cost renewable-based systems to compete with fossil-based electricity generation. In this dissertation, computational optimization is used to explore the integration of solar thermal energy into new or existing fossil energy systems through combined optimization of system design and operations. Two distinct systems ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Biomaterials and biotechnologyFrom the discovery of the first angiogenesis inhibitors to the development of controlled drug delivery systems and the foundation of tissue engineering.Advanced drug delivery systems are having an enormous impact on human health. We start by discussing our early research on developing the first controlled release systems for macromolecules and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Science Expeditions to Planetary-like environments and the search for life in the Solar SystemThe Astrobiology-driven search for Life in the Solar System and beyond begins here on Earth.  In connection with this search, the NASA vision for Space Exploration involves robotic missions to prepare for humans living, working on the surface of Mars, and exploring it for finding indicators of life.  The near future search ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Mars Trek: Powerful Online Tools for Exploring MarsNASA's Mars Trek web portal provides a powerful new way to visualize and analyze datareturned from Mars by a range of instruments aboard a number of spacecraft. Mars Trek's wealthof data, advanced capabilities, and easy to use interface make it useful for the general public andstudents, as well as for ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Saturday, 12/03/16
Nature Walk by the BayTake a gentle walk around the Marina’s flat dirt trails and enjoy the local weather and bayside wildlife. We’ll keep the pace slow for all ages and abilities. Meet in the parking lot near the restroom. Questions? (408) 355-2240
Where: AlvisoCost: Free
Marshlands of DreamsJoin Paul Mueller on a 1-mile walk of the LaRiviere Marsh Trail to find traces of the past. Prior to marsh restoration, learn how Californians utilized the area for farming, quarrying, salt production, and transportation.  There will opportunities for bird watching as well.
Where: FremontCost: Free
Exploring Nature in Your BackyardIn this workshop, you and your child will make close observations of small creatures that live in the garden and under rocks, such as snails, worms, and pill bugs. You will construct a terrarium to take home, adding items to make it a place that can temporarily house visiting ...
Where: BerkeleyCost:
SF City Star PartyCome join us for our monthly San Francisco City Star Party. SFAA members provide telescopes for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to check the SFAA website for the latest updates…bad weather or overcast skies will cancel!
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Sunday, 12/04/16
MSSF Annual Fungus FairIn the San Francisco Bay Area, when the first rains tease up the chanterelles and porcini, fungus lovers head to the Fungus Fair: A Celebration of Wild Mushrooms.We have many educational tables on varied subjects such as: - Identification table - bring your specimens to find out what you found! ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, $8 Students/Seniors, $5 6-12 y/o's
The Sea Forager's Tour GuideEmbark on a coastal adventure with Sea Forager tour guide, sustainable fishmonger, and author of The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast, Kirk Lombard. Learn all about the sustainable delicacies waiting to be hooked and harvested at your local beach. Lombard will also sign copies of his book ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $5 General, Free for members
