YouSolar: Solar Simplified, Power AmplifiedYouSolar has designed a stand-alone solar+battery system that works in areas with unreliable grids or no grid at all. The system is high-power and can replace diesel generators widely used in these situations. The system is plug-and-play and so fast to assemble that it can go from box to power in one ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $8 Members, Free for students
Is the Universe lop-sided?Since the standard cosmological model is such a good fit to the cosmic microwave background anisotropy data, a great deal of attention has focused on hints of "physics beyond the standard model". One particular large-scale "anomaly" that has been noted is that there appears to be more power on one ...
The kitchen can be a haven - for you and, if you’re not careful, for microbes that can be hazardous to your health. However, finding best practices for kitchen safety isn’t always easy. Is it better to wash or microwave your sponges? Are wooden cutting boards safer than plastic, or ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $17.95 adv, $19.95 door, free with A.D. membership
Friday, 05/11/18
Electronic Interfaces for Bacteria-Based BiosensingIn this talk, I will present our work to co-opt the natural detection capabilities of bacteria for hybrid biosensing platforms. We will cover the following techniques: (i) embedding current-producing bacteria inside a conductive polymer matrix to enhance current generation in a microbial electrochemical system; (ii) observing large numbers of chemotactic ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
California TypewriterCalifornia Typewriter is a documentary portrait of artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse, featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, Sam Shepard, and others. It also movingly documents the struggles of California Typewriter, one of the last standing repair shops ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost:
Hardcore Natural History: From Chautauqua to SteinbeckThis is a story of immigration of people to America seeking a better life and a place to call home. It is a story about John Steinbeck’s maternal ancestors, the Hamilton family; his grandfather Samuel, great aunt Mary and great uncle Robert Hamilton, the three of whom emigrated from Ireland ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $10 General, $5 Member, $15 all at door
Green Friday: Tales of BeesCalifornia is home to many species of native bees as well as introduced species such as the European honey bee. They are amazing creatures and important pollinators in natural, agricultural and urban landscapes. Dr. Hafernik will introduce the natural history of bee species in the Bay Area and discuss threats ...
Experience the beauty and rich natural history of this 535-acre preserve. Our half-day guided nature walks are on Saturdays throughout fall and spring. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie volunteer to explore the mixed evergreen forest, flower-carpeted oak woodland and rugged chaparral. Guided Nature Walks ...
Where: Glen EllenCost: $20 General, $15 Members
Girls Day @ The Tech: Science SafariBring the whole family to Girls Day @ The Tech: Science Safari, an event devoted to providing girls with opportunity, inspiration and fun with STEM learning. We’ll offer special hands-on animal-themed activities designed to empower girls along with their siblings and parents. You’ll engineer a device to help move Pandas ...
Where: San JoseCost: free with the purchase of general admission ticket
Trekking the ModelJoin a Ranger or docent on a guided tour of the Bay Model, a 1.5-acre hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Discover the stories of the two major operations that took place at this location between 1942 - 2000.Â
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Celebrating Stephen Hawking: Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi Discusses His Life and WorkScientists and science enthusiasts are mourning the passing of Stephen Hawking, one of the great minds and spirits of our time. In this introductory, non-technical talk, Bay Area public astronomer Andrew Fraknoi will briefly summarize Hawking’s life, and talk about the importance of his scientific work. No background in science ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Sunday, 05/13/18
Marine Science Sunday: Back from the Brink - Saving SpeciesThis month we celebrate the work taking place to help save endangered and threatened marine mammals found along the California coast and Pacific Ocean, including the threatened Guadalupe fur seals, Southern sea otter, the rarest seal in the United States, the Hawaiian monk seal. Docent-led tours will take you around the ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Monday, 05/14/18
Cool Clean TechDecoupling economic growth from carbon emissions will require new technologies to get the job done. Some of that innovation will come from established corporations, but much of it will come from creative entrepreneurs building new products and fresh ways to power our economy. Some of those inventions are cool. Others ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Members, $7 Students
Salt formations are ideal regions for geologic storage. Their extremely low permeability, ease of mining, and propensity for creep means that they can be relatively quickly developed, used for storage of all types of media (solid, liquid, and gas) and are generally self-sealing to imposed damage in relatively short geologic ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
What Is Quantum Cognition?In this talk I will provide a review of Quantum Cognition which is an approach to construct cognitive models based on the mathematics of quantum probability theory rather than classical probability theory based on Boolean algebra.Despite the success of traditional cognitive models based on the laws of classical probability theory, ...
Reliable qubits are difficult to engineer. What can we do with just a few of them? Here are some ideas:1. Dimension test. An n-qubit system should have 2^n dimensions, but systems with just polynomial(n) dimensions can look like they have n qubits. Is nature really exponential? We give a test ...
This is a strange moment in the history of our planet - its intelligent life has rapidly altered its climate in a way that threatens their welfare, and the state of the earth system that supports them. We will discuss the risk of heat to the health of the habitable ...
Electrochemistry is used widely today, spanning from production of hydrogen and metals such as aluminum and Li-ion batteries. We will discuss current and future opportunities in using electrochemistry to power cars and buildings, and to make chemicals and fuels with energy from the Sun. Research towards establishing design principles in ...
On July 14, 2015, something amazing happened. More than 3 billion miles from Earth, a small NASA spacecraft called New Horizons screamed past Pluto at more than 32,000 miles per hour, focusing its instruments on the long mysterious icy worlds of the Pluto system, and then, just as quickly, continued ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members and Seniors
For thousands of years people have wondered, “Are there planets like Earth?†“Are such planets common?†“Do any have signs of life?†Today astronomers are poised to answer these ancient questions, having recently found thousands of planets that orbit nearby Sun-like stars, called “exoplanetsâ€. Professor Sara Seager will share the ...
Two Astrophysics LecturesNot-so-simple stellar populations in nearby, resolved massive star clustersUntil about a decade ago, star clusters were considered "simple"stellar populations: all stars in a cluster were thought to have similar ages and the same metallicity. Only the individual stellar masses were thought to vary, in essence conforming to a "universal" initial ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Microbial Mat Taphonomy: Modern Insights into One of Earth's Earliest EcosystemsMorphological and geochemical signatures in fossilized microbial mats inform our understanding of early life. These reflect biological processes and environmental conditions at the time of formation, as well as degradation processes that overprint these signatures. Microbial mats from Little Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands, provide a model system for ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Enabling Digital Transformation at the EdgeThe “Edge†is exploding all around us! According to Gartner, the global market for edge computing is expected to grow to $6.7 billion by 2022, up from about $1.5 billion in 2017. This unbridled growth is presenting significant opportunities, and challenges, for enterprises and service providers.Digital Transformation is top-of-mind with ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
CHASING NEW HORIZONS: INSIDE THE EPIC FIRST MISSION TO PLUTOIn July 2015, humanity’s fastest spacecraft, “New Horizons,†flew by Pluto, revealing details of its surprisingly active surface and atmosphere for the first time. Come hear the mission’s Principal Investigator, Alan Stern, and noted planetary scientist and author, David Grinspoon, discuss their unique, insider’s view of how we got to ...
With its 13-year mission at Saturn now complete, Cassini takes its place as the most spectacularly successful interplanetary mission in the history of NASA. In its final 10 months (from December 2016 to September 2017), Cassini has transformed itself into a whole new mission with its Grand Finale, including 20 ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Wednesday, 05/16/18
MÄlama honua: Bridging traditional knowledge and modern science through observationIn June 2017, HÅkÅ«le‘a - a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe - completed a three year voyage around the world sharing the message of mÄlama honua (translated as “to care for island Earthâ€). The voyage bridged traditional knowledge and modern science to communicate the changing conditions of our islands and oceans. ...
Where: Moss LandingCost: Free
The Big One: Earthquake Fact & FictionScientists know, as well as we know the sun will rise tomorrow, that California will experience another large earthquake. But what details do we have? What will this earthquake be like? How accurate is the portrayal we see on television? Earth & planetary scientist William Hawley will answer these questions ...
Fire and Fuel: Founders and FundersHow do a founder and a funder take an idea and build a pioneering company? Before there was Uber or Airbnb, TaskRabbit helped birth the sharing economy. Leah Busque’s entrepreneurial fire as has taken her from IBM software engineer to founder of TaskRabbit to venture capitalist. Ann Miura-Ko is a ...
Calling all young scientists curious about their surroundings and all makers, crafters, and those who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Meet science educator Jack Challoner as he discusses Maker Lab Outdoors, which focuses on projects that can be done outside, or that emphasize the earth and environment. Jack will  lead a series ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Amazon Lambda and the Transition to Cloud2.0The Lambda service from Amazon, and similar services from Microsoft and Google, signals the arrival of the Actor/CSP model in the cloud. The current Lambda services are the beginning of an evolutionary path that will ultimately replace the VM-based cloud usage model of today. In this talk Jack Mills will ...
Where: SunnyvaleCost: Free
Nerd Nite SF #96: Singing Science, Star Wars Law, & SF Transportation!Dodge those un-prettily parked sidewalk scooters and don’t trip on the way over to this month’s nerdering, where a singing scientist talks Bell’s palsy; a certified Legal Geek reviews the rules of a galaxy far, far away; and a transport expert tells us if it’s maybe okay to toss aforementioned ...
Rescheduled to May 16 If ye value critical thinking, and if ye scorn the flim-flam man, join us, your friends. We are a group who informally discuss the latest in science or pseudoscience over good eats & ale. Sponsored by Bay Area Skeptics.WHY: Because we’re curious creatures.
What happens to water from your toilet, sink, or laundry after it goes down the drain? Find out on a surprising and fascinating tour of EB MUD's Sewage Treatment Plant, near the foot of the Bay Bridge in Oakland. Learn about the history of cleaning our formerly polluted Bay, the ...
Where: OaklandCost: free preregistration is required
Wildflower and native plant hike on Albany HillSearch for late-spring wildflowers on this relatively challenging walk. Margot Cunningham, who organizes native-plant restoration on Albany Hill, leads as you climb about 340 feet up the north and east slope and head back down on the west. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes with good traction. Bring water and ...
Where: AlbanyCost: Free
Understanding Redwood Giants: Using Science to Protect the Tallest ForestsJoin Emily Burns, Director of Science for the Save the Redwoods League, for a morning in our Redwood Grove. Home to endangered species and notable for their remarkable carbon storage capacity, coast redwood forests stand today in a rapidly changing world. Save the Redwoods League is applying climate change, genomic, ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $20 General, $15 Members
Tackling Big Data with the ZooniverseCitizen science - the involvement of hundreds of thousands of people in the research process  - provides a radical solution to the challenge of dealing with the greatly increased size of modern data sets.  Zooniverse.org is the most successful collection of online citizen science projects which have enabled over 1.7 ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Lab and Lunch: The Secret Behind California's Goldilocks WeatherCalifornia is known for weather that is rarely too hot or too cold, but have you ever wondered why? Come hear from visiting meteorologist Tom Di Libreto about the climate systems that make us the Goldilocks state for pleasant weather and how that might be changing.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free - Registration required
Cosmological parameters from strong gravitational lensesRecent measurements of the Hubble Constant (H_0) through distance ladder techniques have revealed a noticeable tension with the Planck H_0 value that was obtained under the assumption of the cosmological “standard modelâ€, i.e., a flat Lambda cold dark matter cosmology. Is this tension an indication that modifications to the standard ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Hard Earth Talk: Wanting LessTechnology is the sexy path to a more-sustainable future. Behavioral change, though, may prove more effective. If people felt less urge to consume, they’d have less need for technologies to minimize their consumption’s environmental harm. But getting people to curb their appetites is hard. One potentially powerful tactic has been ...
This talk will cover the history of the human rotavirus vaccine- starting with the discovery of human rotavirus in Australia in 1973. I will then discuss how the early epidemiologic studies were facilitated by breakthroughs in modern viral diagnostics and the fact that the rotavirus is shed in very large ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
'Of the Sea'Today, fishing is a rare and challenging way of life - Few California fishing families remain, due to complex regulations, high cost, and competition with cheap farmed and imported seafood. Struggling to revive a fading way of life, fishermen and entrepreneurs are creating new models for how to support sustainably ...
Everything Matters: Copper8:00 PMMalleable, conductive copper enabled the Bronze Age and is an essential element for life. In some invertebrates, copper binds to oxygen in the blue blood pigment hemocyanin. Explore its significance with host Ron Hipschman and environmental scientist Seira Ashley Adams, who’ll share its chemical role in spiders.=======Maker Faire - ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $17.95 advance, $19.95 at the door
Augmenting Cognition through Data VisualizationAs datasets get larger, it has become increasingly important to manage visual attention and augment cognition. My research has focused on developing novel techniques to draw a viewer's attention to regions of interest in large datasets. These techniques are specifically designed to increase the efficient completion of tasks and to ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: $10 General $5 IEEE, Free IEEE
In July 2015, on a visit to California for some shorebird work, Jonathan Vargas met Steve Howell. Steve Howell is a well-known birding tour leader and author of bird books and publications. The two birded together and talked about the first Big Day Howell did in San Blas with Peter ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $5 General, Free for members
Join other wildflower photographers (amateur and professional) on a meandering monthly excursion around the Modini Mayacamas to document wildflowers of the season. After our field time, each of us will add a few of our best images to an album that Friends of the Modini Mayacamas and ACR will use ...
Maker Faire Bay Area - FRIDAY@MakerFaireFRIDAY@MakerFaire is a special, ticketed event for attendees interested in taking advantage of this preview opportunity with smaller crowds and a bigger opportunity for communication and collaboration. This afternoon is a perfect for:Corporate Groups: Think: team building excursions, inspiration field trips, business development recruiting, and networking. Please Contact Us for ...
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the beauty and rich natural history of this 535-acre preserve as dusk arrives and the animals start to appear. Our twilight hikes are on select Fridays throughout spring and fall. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie ...
Extreme Low Tide WalkMSI takes to the tidepools for a treasure hunt of nature's beautiful intertidal secrets. We'll spend our time taking advantage of the low tide to reach the outer edges of Pillar Point, and take in spectacular views as we slowly retreat to shore. Will we find crabs, sea stars, eels ...
Where: Half Moon BayCost: $20
Mental Work: Cognitive Revolution SymposiumThe Cognitive Revolution Symposium takes the Mental Work art-science exhibition as a starting point for reflection on the emergent future of human-machine interaction, focusing on promoting a culture of responsibility within the communities at the forefront of this revolution. Our lives have become increasingly intertwined with machines. Two decades ago, computers ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Birds & BotanyWe’ll bird and (quietly) botanize around Pine Flat with a view toward the inter-relationships between birds and plants. Birds disperse seeds, eat ‘pests’, transfer pollen and bring nutrients to nesting, roosting and perching sites. Plants provide nesting and roosting sites, cover, song perches, looking posts, nesting material, food, foraging sites ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: $20 suggested donation
Guided Nature WalkExperience the beauty and rich natural history of this 535-acre preserve. Our guided nature walks are on Saturdays throughout fall and spring. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie volunteer to explore the mixed evergreen forest, flower-carpeted oak woodland and rugged chaparral. Guided Nature Walks begin ...
Where: Glen EllenCost: $20 suggested donation
Hayward Fault 150th Anniversary of Great Quake tour Tule PondsFree tours of the Hayward Fault (registration required), with lecture, activities, and tour included. Children welcome, under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Wear comfortable shoes.
Where: FremontCost: Free
Maker Faire Bay AreaPart science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers†come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share ...
This is going to be a really fun day. We will meet at the Visitor Center. We will have special access to the private pier and research station to collect plankton samples and to view them under microscopes. If you need a break from the microscope, step outside for a ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 suggested donation
The Psychology of ConfidenceReading the self-help literature could leave you with the impression that the goal in life is to maximize your confidence. On the other hand, research on overconfidence highlights all the ways in which people can get themselves into trouble by being too confident. Professor Moore will explore this tension by ...
If you’re thinking about going solar, or perhaps just curious about it, please join us for this free 1.25-hour workshop. It’ll help you understand the basics of solar photovoltaics (PV), the technology options, the economics, how you tie into the PG&E grid, purchasing tips, etc. The workshop is offered ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: free
Our Wild WatershedsNorthern California is made up of whole areas that resemble large funnels. The rainy season can turn babbling brooks into raging rivers. These natural forces are both exciting and dangerous. Join Ranger Linda for a presentation at the Bay Model and learn more about these incredible geologic formations that form ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Family Bird WalkLet family walks become a shared time of nature learning. We’ll begin by helping kids create their personal bird watching field guides, and then head out onto the trails to find those birds. A limited number of binoculars are available to borrow. Recommended for children ages 5-10. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Register ...
Where: FremontCost: Free
Headlands Nightlife: Family Night Hike & CampfireExplore the mysterious lifestyle of nocturnal animals that start their day just as you're going to bed! Learn about special adaptations that allow owls, bats and other nighttime critters to hunt by moonlight. This program features an Environmental Science Educator-led hike in the Marin Headlands. Our evening hikes are usually no ...
Where: SausalitoCost: $15
Is That Deep Glow in the Night Sky Real?The Northern Lights can appear as a deep red glow here in California. In Alaska, it more often appears as a bright green band, glowing across the night sky. Come learn more about these dynamic lights, their connection to the activity on the Sun, and how photographers are helping us ...
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Free
Jazz Under the StarsCome peer through our telescopes and see craters on the Moon, the visible planets, star clusters, and more while we listen to CSM's very own KCSM Jazz 91 FM. Dress warmly. Free parking in Marie Curie Lot 5. Directions are available on the Maps, Directions & Parking page.
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Sunday, 05/20/18
A Study in Amethyst: in Search of Muir’s Hairstreak Butterfly Liam O’Brien set a goal for himself in 2017 - to illustrate all the Lycanidae family ofbutterflies in the Bay Area: the Blues, Coppers, Metalmarks & Hairstreaks. High on his list was one of the more elusive: Muir’s Hairstreak (Callophrys muiri) - a stunning little gem the size of a ...
Where: Cost: $25 Suggested Donation
Lawrence Hall of Science 50th Anniversary Open HouseThe Lawrence Hall of Science is celebrating its 50th anniversary! In May 1968, we opened our doors to the public for the first time. Join us for a free day of science fun as we kick off a year of special events and programs to celebrate 50 years of hands-on ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Maker Faire Bay AreaPart science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers†come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share ...
Where: San MateoCost: $0 - $50 (see website)
Aero Workshop: Water RocketsPut your engineering skills to the test in the Aero Workshop! Each session is a special 2-hour mini design challenge designed for children ages 8-12. Each workshop centers on a particular problem in aerospace illustrated by a pair of hands-on experiences. Participants then work in small teams of 3-5 to ...
California made history with the creation of the nation’s first statewide system of ocean parks - a network of 124 Marine Protected Areas spanning California’s 1,100-mile long coastline. Like national parks on land, these areas are magnificent in beauty and provide protection for wildlife, solutions to climate change, and recreational ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: General: Free with admission, members/students $0
Monday, 05/21/18
Developing 3-D Imaging Sensors: Problems and TechnologiesWe discuss technologies for 3-D imaging-taking cameras, also variously called 3-QD rangefinders, telemeters or lidars. We start from the basic configurations used to build single-point laser rangefinders, that is, triangulation, sine-wave and pulsed techniques, and then analyzing the system requirements on parameters like: covered range, illumination power, detector noise, stray ...
Digital rock technology (DRT) has experienced tremendous progress in the last decade, with an increasing number of companies providing imaging hardware, modeling software and digital core analysis services. This technology is also commonly referred to as a transformational technology in different fronts, and yet, because the focus has been heavily ...
LIGO has detected gravitational waves from the coalescences of six binary black hole mergers and one binary neutron star merger. These systems provide unique insights into general relativity in the strong field regime. Recent results include important consistency tests, measurements of the speed of gravitational waves, the Hubble constant, and ...
Earthquake ground-motion data and magnitude-distance attenuation relationships, coupled with earthquake recurrence statistics and fault models, are the basis for our seismic hazard maps and building codes. Seismic hazard maps are constructed in a probabilistic sense for a given rate of recurrence; thus improving the accuracy, and likewise the precision, of ...
The electricity grid is transitioning from a centralized and uncoordinated set of large generators to a framework that includes decentralized and coordinated distributed energy resources. Advances in renewable generation, energy storage, efficiency, and controls technology present a significant opportunity for demand-side investment that is matched to the needs of the ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Graph analysis of 200,000 tweets from Russian Twitter trollsLearn how Ryan Boyd and his team reconstructed a subset of the Twitter network of Russian troll accounts and applied graph analytics to the data using the Neo4j graph database to uncover how these accounts were spreading fake news.Ryan covers how they collected and munged the data distributed by NBC, ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: Free
'Wilder than Wild' film screening & discussionWilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future, screens in the Bay Area premiere followed by a Q & A with Berkeley City Councilmember Kate Harrison, UC Berkeley fire scientist Scott Stephens, Berkeley firefighter, Mike Shuken, (a first responder in the Wine Country Fires) and filmmakers Kevin White and Stephen ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $15
Next-Generation Approaches to Cancer Genomics: Precision OncologyJoin us for a talk with Dr. James Ford, is a medical oncologist and geneticist focused on understanding the genetic basis of cancer risk, development and treatment responses. He directs Stanford’s cancer genomics program and the Molecular Tumor Board that performs molecular profiling of metastatic cancers in order to identify novel, ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Tuesday, 05/22/18
Cryptic cycles and power laws in the anaerobic seabed bioreactorThe Geomicrobiology Research Group studies microbial processes that drive sulfur and carbon cycling in marine sediments, from the sediment surface to hundreds of meters subsurface. Based on recent results and data analyses I will discuss how a power law relation between organic matter degradation and sediment age controls sulfate reduction ...
Where: Moss LandingCost: Free
50 Years of Transforming Lives: The History and Future of Heart Transplant at StanfordIn 1968, the very concept of transplanting a beating heart from one human to another seemed like science fiction. A visionary Stanford cardiothoracic surgeon named Dr. Norman E. Shumway set about to change that; and in the process created the standard by which nearly 2,000 life-saving surgeries are performed annually ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free - Registration required
What Is Climate Smart Agriculture?Like energy and transportation (which get most of the attention), agriculture is key to our climate future. As a sector, agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but is also buffeted by the changes caused by global warming. At the same time, farmers are in a position to help sequester carbon ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $10 General, Free for members
Long Term Trends in Baleen Whale Observations Near the Farallon IslandsSpeaker: Kaytlin Ingman, Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental StudiesEvaluating the influence of vessel noise on the underwater soundscape of San Francisco BaySpeaker: Samantha Cope, Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
MicrobiaWhile researching her book about mushrooms, Eugenia Bone became fascinated with the huge impact microbes have on every aspect of life. But as she began reading scholarly works in an attempt to grasp the microbiology, she quickly realized she couldn't do it alone.That's why she went back to school in ...
The Ice Age in CaliforniaThe megafauna that roamed California during the Ice Age were weird and wonderful. Evidence from the Diablo Range show an evolving landscape. Learn how to identify bones fragments and more.
Overview: Earth and Civilization in the MacroscopeCivilization is both astonishing and astonishingly various when viewed from slightly above. Not so far above as to be lost in planetary context, but just high enough to see a fascinating thing whole, entire, intensely peculiar and informative. The glory is in the high-resolution details, in the perpetually surprising god’s-eye ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free for Members, see website for general
Wednesday, 05/23/18
Restoring San Francisco's Rare ManzanitasSan Francisco hosts two of the rarest manzanitas in the world: Raven's Manzanita (Arctostaphylos montana subsp. ravenii) and Franciscan Manzanita (Arctostaphylos franciscana). These endangered species grew together in a distinct maritime chaparral habitat that once covered the serpentine hilltops of San Francisco. Their story is one of discovery, loss, salvage, ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $20 General, $15 Members, Free UCBstaff & students
The freest of lunches: Using out-of-domain data to boost oceanographic image classificationOver the past decade, the biological oceanographic community has increasingly relied on in situ digital imaging to sample the denizens of the sea. These data sets have grown intractably large, requiring countless hours of human labor for analysis. Oceanographers have begun to leverage advances in machine learning to automate the ...
Where: Moss LandingCost: Free
Lab and Lunch: Conserving the CanopyJoin forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni to hear how she brings her research on the science of forest canopies to churches, poetry slams, and prisons. She hopes to both learn from these audiences and inspire them to care more about science, trees, and nature. “Part of the scientific enterprise is to disseminate ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free - Registration required
Medicine in the Digital Age Healthcare has entered the digital age. You can track your heart rate with wearable devices like Fitbit or Motiv. Smartphones send patients reminders to take their medication. And according to the CDC, 86.9% of office-based physicians are using electronic health records. However, many medical professionals and technologists alike believe tech ...
Rescheduled to May 16 If ye value critical thinking, and if ye scorn the flim-flam man, join us, your friends. We are a group who informally discuss the latest in science or pseudoscience over good eats & ale. Sponsored by Bay Area Skeptics.WHY: Because we’re curious creatures.
Where: MillbraeCost: Free
2001: A Space Odyssey at 50. HAL's Legacy: 2001's Computer as Dream and RealityAlong with celebrating 50 years of software engineering, we can also celebrate the premiere of one of the most famous science fiction movies in history, 2001: A Space Odyssey. One of the central characters in the movie was the supercomputer HAL, the most powerful computer imagined at that time. Possessed knowledge superior to that of a human, HAL controlled the spaceship, found solutions to the most complex problems, played chess with the astronauts, and served them continuously. Then something went wrong. Why? ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Thursday, 05/24/18
'Bright Spots & Landmines': The Diabetes Guide I Wish Someone Had Handed MeAuthor Adam Brown will discuss some of the subjects he covers in his diabetes handbook. Bright Spots & Landmines focuses on food, mindset, exercise, and sleep strategies. It includes: what to eat to minimize blood sugar swings; helpful strategies to feel less stressed, guilty, and not burned out; and simple ways to ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
After Dark: SoundJoin Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman for colorful explorations of the physical world.What is sound? How high a pitch can you hear? Can you measure the speed of sound with a yardstick? Can two sounds add up to no sound? Explore these questions and more in this resonant presentation.Part of After ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with After Dark Admission
Bones NightLifeTonight we pay tribute to Ray “Bones†Bandar, long-time friend of the Academy and legendary collector, with close-up views into his world-renowned bone collection.During his lifetime, he collected over 7,000 specimens - most of them skulls - which will now join the Academy’s scientific collections. Make no bones about it, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
San Francisco 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!
A cohort of basic technologies appears frequently in ancient meteorological explanations, whether in the theories of the Presocratic physikoi and Aristotle, or in the later accounts of Lucretius and Seneca. Wine skins pop, iron rods hiss and mirrors reflect. Canvas flaps, pipes burst and lead bullets melt. This talk looks ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
eSports Extravaganza featuring the San Francisco Shock & Sansar Esports and virtual reality are two of the fastest growing industries in tech. What is possible when they collide? Join us on May 25th as we engage in a discussion on the intersection of these two fields. Speakers will provide an overview of the current state of Esports and ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
To Grow or not to grow: How cells balance growth in healthy bodies and how cancer tips the scaleEach cell in our body is constantly making decisions. One of those decisions is the choice of whether to grow and divide, a choice that depends on both the cell’s ability to sense the availability of nutrients in its immediate environment as well as the presence of long-range hormonal signals ...
Where: EmeryvilleCost: Free
Saturday, 05/26/18
Geology of the Mayacamas Learn some of the local and regional geology on a field excursion up Pine Flat Road with Iain Jamieson, a retired geologist who worked at the Geysers in the 1970’s. Iain is now a Bouverie Preserve docent, which has expanded his interest in nature. Be prepared for a drive with ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: $20 suggested donation
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
Science Saturday: Water WildWe're making a splash during this last Science Saturday of the school year, as we dive into the wonderful world of water. What is a watershed? Where can you find a steelhead? Find out while we explore all-things aquatic while completing a craft, activities, and more.
Marine Science Sunday: Back from the Brink - Saving SpeciesThis month we celebrate the work taking place to help save endangered and threatened marine mammals found along the California coast and Pacific Ocean, including the threatened Guadalupe fur seals, Southern sea otter, the rarest seal in the United States, the Hawaiian monk seal. Docent-led tours will take you around the ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: SoundWhat is sound? How high a pitch can you hear? Can you measure the speed of sound with a yardstick? Can two sounds add up to no sound? Explore these questions and more in this resonant presentation.Presentations at 1:00 and 3:00.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with Admission to the Exploratorium
Quantum physics describes the realm of the very smallwith exquisite accuracy. However, quantum experiments can give such strange results that physicists often need to assume disparate "interpretations" of quantum physics in order to make sense of what they observe.Amid this quantum uncertainty, it’s become fashionable for the names of everyday ...
Where: NovatoCost: Free
Monday, 05/28/18
Nerd Nite East Bay #64The California Field AtlasThe #1 best-selling California Field Atlas from Obi Kaufmann blends science and art to guide readers outside normal conceptions of California. Learn about the grand scale of natural systems like tectonic plates and watersheds and the small scale details of wildflower gardens that combine to make up ...
Where: OaklandCost: $8 Advance, $10 at door
Tuesday, 05/29/18
The Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary record of Andean mountain buildingAccurate reconstructions of the Andes are fundamental to understanding the geodynamics of subduction-related mountain building along convergent plate boundaries and the climatic and biological evolution of South America. Andean sedimentary basins evolved in diverse structural settings, with retroarc crustal shortening, flexure, and rapid accumulation in long-lived foreland and hinterland basins, ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Climate Winners and LosersThe new climate reality means that even those living on a hill will be affected by flooding in the valley, and those living in Northern states will be affected by droughts in the South. But as the corn belt moves to higher latitudes and new industries emerge, there will be, ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, $12 Members, $7 Students
Kame Richards Tides and Currents TalkRacers, cruisers, power boats, kayaks, and swimmers will see and learn how the tide currents move on San Francisco Bay. For information and reservations, contact Jim Tantillo at 707.759.2045 or jimtantillo@comcast.net. This usually sells out, so don't delay!
Where: SausalitoCost: $15 cash only
The New Grid: 100% Clean Energy for AllThe grid that transmits our electrical power needs a radical transformation. The structure of the grid has not changed fundamentally since its creation a century ago. But today’s grid faces new challenges: Clean energy sources like solar and wind are feeding more power into the grid, replacing centralized fossil fuel plants ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Sunset/Full Moon Walk to the Point Bonita LighthouseJoin park staff and volunteer docents for a tour down through the history of Point Bonita while the sun sets over the Pacific. We will walk along the half-mile trail which is steep in places. Arrive early as parking is limited. Meet at the Point Bonita Lighthouse trailhead. Dress warming ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
The Opioid CrisisCity Arts & Lectures Conversations on Science SeriesDr. Carl Hart is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University and the Dirk Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry. Professor Hart has published numerous scientific and popular articles in the area of neuropsychopharmacology and is ...
Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFITs) are used to measure stress, permeability, and fluid pressure in low permeability formations. A relatively small volume of water is injected, fracturing the formation. The well is shut-in, and pressure is monitored for days or weeks. The pressure transient is interpreted to estimate formation properties. Preclosure interpretations are ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
New Frontiers In Computing 2018: Accelerating Smart and Connected CommunitiesPlease join us for the 20th annual New Frontiers in Computing Conference on Accelerating Smart and Connected Communities. This year, NFIC will provide through keynotes, panelists, and presentations, a means to enhance your understanding of the problems and solutions that are at trial in communities and the workplace. We will ...
Where: OrindaCost: $5 General, $1 Teachers/Students
Conversations About Landscape: Beyond the Polar BearAl Gore’s 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth propelled climate change into the mainstream - this big-screen portrayal of a “planetary emergency†moved what had been a largely scientific discussion to dinner tables around the world.Since then, efforts to educate citizens about climate change have mushroomed. The past decade has seen ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free, RSVP Required
taste of science: Sex differences and icy planetary bodiesIce Penetrating Radar: a Window into Ice Sheets and Icy MoonsRadio echo sounding is a uniquely powerful geophysical technique for studying the interior of ice sheets, glaciers, and icy planetary bodies.Speaker: Dustin Schroeder, StanfordLet’s talk about sex: male-female differences in the immune systemScientists have long known that women are more ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: $5
The Postgenomic ConditionSJRC Director and Sociology Professor Jenny Reardon will discuss with us her new book, The Postgenomic Condition: Ethics, Justice & Knowledge After the Genome. Reardon’s research draws into focus questions about identity, justice and democracy that are often silently embedded in scientific ideas and practices, particularly in modern genomic research. Her ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Thursday, 05/31/18
Black holes, neutron stars and the birth of gravitational wave astronomyGravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time produced by catastrophic astrophysical events, are arguably the most elusive prediction of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, so feeble that Einstein himself thought their detection would be impossible. One hundred years later, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and its sister project ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Breaking Barriers: The Future of Space ExplorationSpeakers: Dr. Kathleen Rubins (NASA Astronaut, Stanford Ph.D. '05) & Kendra Short (Deputy Program Manager/NASA Exoplanet Exploration, Stanford M.S. '92)
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Nightlife SpotlightMeet some of our brightest young scientific minds as NightLife celebrates the best of the Academy with an evening of after-hours science inside the greenest museum on the planet.This month, learn about the Academy’s Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, home to more than 100 research scientists and 46 million ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
In this presentation, Helen Tran will discuss her current research, which focuses on designing, synthesizing, and utilizing electronic materials with properties inspired by skin: stretchability, self-healability, and biodegradability. A survey of recent advances in this field will be reviewed, with an emphasis in medical applications.Speaker: Dr. Helen Tran, Stanford.
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Kame Richards Tides and Currents TalkRacers, cruisers, power boats, kayaks, and swimmers will see and learn how the tide currents move on San Francisco Bay. For information and reservations, contact Jim Tantillo at 707.759.2045 or jimtantillo@comcast.net. This usually sells out, so don't delay!
Where: SausalitoCost: $15 cash only
Yes, Humans Really Are Causing Earthquakes!How Energy Industry Practices are Causing Earthquakes in America's HeartlandIn every year since 2014, Oklahoma has had more earthquakes than California.Oil and gas oerations are "inducing" these earthquakes.The earthquake rate has dropped by more than 50% due to changes in industry practices.Speaker: Justin Rubinstein, USGS Research GeophysicistÂ
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Friday, 06/01/18
Silicon Valley Health & Performance SummitThrough leaders in the field of applying technology to the pursuit of optimal human performance come together in the heart of Silicon Valley for a first-annual summit dedicated to sports technology, training, nutrition and more. This day-long summit includes keynotes, hands-on tech and training demos, sampling, breakout sessions and a ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: $125
First Friday Family Night at CuriOdysseyFamilies with small children can swing into the weekend with music, science, food and fun! On the first Friday of every month, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., parents and kids celebrate together at CuriOdyssey. Dance to live music including soul, funk and jazz of the 60’s and 70’s. Purchase ...
Where: San MateoCost: $12.50-9.50 / Free with Admission / Members Free
Twilight HikeTake advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the beauty and rich natural history of this 535-acre preserve as dusk arrives and the animals start to appear. Our twilight hikes are on select Fridays throughout spring and fall. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie ...
Where: Glen EllenCost: $20 suggested donation
Saturday, 06/02/18
Biodiversity BioblitzCome explore the Modini Mayacamas Preserves with other serious “nature nerds†and experts. Our goal is to add species records each season to the Biodiversity of the Modini Mayacamas on iNaturalist. Each of us tends to spot, and share enthusiasm and knowledge about, species that others rarely notice. Mark your ...
Where: GeyservilleCost: $20 suggested donation
Alcatraz-Island of SeabirdsAlcatraz Island, infamous for its federal prison, supports the only nesting colonies of Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants inside San Francisco Bay. Join an Alcatraz bird docent and sanctuary staff for a thought-provoking walk through the seabird rookeries to learn about their ecology and current conservation status. We’ll discuss the significance ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $50
“Going Solar†Workshop by a Nonprofit for Interested HomeownersIf you’re thinking about going solar, please join us for this free 1.25-hour workshop. It’ll help you understand the basics of solar photovoltaics (PV), the technology options, the economics, how you tie into the utility grid, purchasing tips, etc.     If you live in the City of Santa Clara, ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: free
cityFEST 2018cityFEST is a 2 day event June 2 & 3 in Foster City. The Festival is comprised of a carnival, art & craft vendors, live entertainment, and a curiosityZONE powered by S.T.E.A.M. The curiosityZONE includes interactive hands-on activities, demonstrations and special exhibitions. Participating presenters include: IBM, CERT, Science from Scientists, ZOOX, ...
Where: Foster CityCost: No cost
Sunday, 06/03/18
Tracking Animal Sign and Bird Language at the Laguna!Learn tracking and bird language with Marley Peifer and the Laguna Foundation! In this workshop you will learn how a tracking perspective can help you learn more, see more, and have more fun in any natural environment.
Where: Santa RosaCost: $25
cityFEST 2018cityFEST is a 2 day event June 2 & 3 in Foster City. The Festival is comprised of a carnival, art & craft vendors, live entertainment, and a curiosityZONE powered by S.T.E.A.M. The curiosityZONE includes interactive hands-on activities, demonstrations and special exhibitions. Participating presenters include: IBM, CERT, Science from Scientists, ZOOX, ...
We humans often do battle with creepy invaders of our living spaces. This lively talk will present the latest research on the biology, detection, and control of three particularly villainous house guests. You might be surprised to find which room in your home is their favorite target. We will have big ...
Where: AlamedaCost: Free
Monday, 06/04/18
LiteBIRD Satellite for Tests of Cosmic Inflation and Quantum GravityCosmological inflation is the leading hypothesis to resolve the problems in the Big Bang theory. It predicts that primordial gravitational waves were created during the inflationary era, which then imprinted large-scale curl patterns in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization map called the B-modes. Measurements of the CMB B-mode signals ...
Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author Richard Rhodes reveals the fascinating history behind energy transitions over time - wood to coal to oil to electricity and beyond.People have lived and died, businesses have prospered and failed, and nations have risen to world power and declined, all over energy challenges. ...
Where: StanfordCost:
Are We Alone in the Universe?The detection of thousands exoplanets orbiting other alien Suns has revolutionized our view of the cosmos. With the next generation of telescopes we will be able to peer into the atmospheres of rocky planets and get a glimpse into other worlds. In this lecture Dr. Kaltenegger shows the latest results ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members & Seniors
The world’s coastal cities are vibrant centers of population, commerce, and culture. Though they’re oceans apart, many now face the same challenge of contending with rising tides and more severe storms, often coupled with subsidence- the sinking of the land.Join us for a discussion of flood infrastructure in two iconic ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free, RSVP required
Botany Series: Introduction to Grass IdentificationJoin the talented park staff team of Maria Alvarez (Restoration Ecologist), Chrissy Sullivan (Natural Resource Specialist), John Anderson (Restoration Technician), and Patrick Nicholson (Seasonal Restoration Technician) for a Park Academy class on the identification of grass species - especially those within our parks! This will be an interactive class, sure ...
What is Kubernetes and why does it matter? Kubernetes is a platform that is becoming a standard for running cloud native applications. In this talk we will talk about the architecture of Kubernetes and the new use cases containers and the Kubernetes platform have enabled. We will also cover how ...
The Southern Ocean is dominated by complex dynamics and characterized by structures with scales ranging from one (submesoscales) to hundreds of kilometers (mesoscales). Despite the overall low chlorophyll concentration of the Southern Ocean (limited by iron), there are several locations with intense phytoplankton activity. Understanding the physical-biogeochemical system in the ...
Medical Robotics PanelCITRIS Silicon Valley ForumPlease join us for our launch of the CITRIS Silicon Valley Forum 2018 where we share our innovative, cross-disciplinary research with the broader community. Our fourth panel will bring together leading experts from industry, academia, medicine, and gerontology offer forecasts for trends in medical robotics from surgical robotics and biomedical ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: Free
Where is the Digital Revolution Taking Us? How is the digital revolution creating and re-creating the economy? How long will it last? How does this revolution compare with earlier ones? What can history tell us about where we are heading now?At our June 7 PARC Forum, W. Brian Arthur will explore these questions. Arthur will explore how ...
Explore emergent ideas and future artifacts at tonight’s After Dark, such as space travel, robots, future foods, and San Francisco’s evolving cityscape.Sewn Scenarios  With PNosa Think of any scenario. Put it into five words or less. Now watch as artist Paul Nosa interprets your words and uses a sewing machine to draw ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $17.95 advance, $19.95 door, AD member Free
Cafe InquiryMeet up with rationalists, skeptics, and freethinkers south of San Francisco.Cafe Inquiry is a social event hosted by the Center for Inquiry|San Francisco.For more information or if you have questions please email sf@centerforinquiry.net
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Science of Rhythm NightLifeListen up as NightLife explores the science of sound and rhythm - from the natural world to the world of electronic music. Join Bill Brewster, DJ and co-author of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, for a talk about the history of DJing and a set in the main ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members
LiDAR training data best practicesAccurate LiDAR classification and segmentation is required for developing critical ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles components. Mainly, its required for high definition mapping and developing perception and path/motion planning algorithms. This talk will cover best practices for how to accurately annotate and benchmark your AV/ADAS models against LiDAR ground truth training ...
Where: Santa ClaraCost: Free
Awake and Sleeping Supermassive Black HolesBlack holes have always been a fascinating topic of study in Astrophysics, and they are as exciting and mysterious as their name implies. They come in many ‘flavors', where size plays the leading role in determining their life’s journey. From primordial to supermassive or even ultramassive black holes, they all ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Friday, 06/08/18
Nursery Series: Introduction to Seed Collection & CleaningRobin Binaoro (Marin Headlands Nursery Assistant) and Stacy Jacobsen (Presidio Nursery Seed Collection Specialist) will be discussing the fundamentals of seed collection and cleaning. This class will cover basic concepts of seed formation and physiology, fruit taxonomy, collection policy and considerations, then continuing to the field to learn the difference ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Donations encouraged
Latest Research on Circumstellar DisksDr. Geoff Mathews will provide an overview of the study of circumstellar disks. The leftover material of star formation forms disks of gas and dust, which are in turn the environment in which planets form. Recent surveys - in particular with the Kepler space telescope - have shown that nearly ...
