UC Berkeley AI Policy Research Symposium 2024The event will feature keynote presentations from distinguished UC Berkeley faculty members Ken Goldberg and Niloufar Salehi on topics including human-robot complementarity and human-centered AI, as well as presentations from the Spring 2023 - Fall 2024 AI Policy Hub fellows.Learn about cutting-edge research and advocacy efforts on topics including: cryptography ...
Seawater oxygen isotopes (δ18O) can be used alongside salinity to understand the quantities, pathways, and upstream impacts of glacial meltwater across West Antarctica. We present studies in three different regions of West Antarctica, each leveraging seawater δ18O to a different end. In the Amundsen Sea, we analyze a time-series of ...
Printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize manufacturing of electronic and energy materials by drastically reducing the energy cost and environmental footprint while increasing throughput and agility. For instance, printing organic solar cells can potentially reduce energy payback time from 2-3 years to as short as 1 day! At the ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Autonomous Vehicles and the City 2024Join us for an afternoon focused on automation and innovation for public good.Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation in our cities, offering increased accessibility and efficiency in our urban transport systems. The 8th Autonomous Vehicles and the City symposium at The Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California will ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $15 Members in person, $10/Free web
Saturday, 04/27/24
Climate Change at Chrissy FieldJoin the Climate Change at Crissy Field tour to explore the breathtaking, 180-degree views of San Francisco Bay from Crissy Field and to discuss the threat of climate change and sea level rise to Crissy Field’s beauty. You will see the recent restoration that converted the US Army airfield to ...
Where: SFCost: Free
Community Science SaturdayLearn about how you can be involved in community science in your neighborhood and help us celebrate young scientists at our 2nd annual Student Research Symposium.
Where: Pacific GroveCost: Free
Techfest: Back to the '80sCHM’s all-day TechFest events offer special family-oriented experiences included in the price of Museum admission. We’ll be bringing you tech-themed demos, performances, hands-on activities, and more. Explore CHM exhibits, shop in the Museum store, enjoy a tasty treat from the Cloud Bistro, and have fun at Techfest!
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free with admission
Looking for Leaves at SanbornYou can learn so much from a plant by looking at its leaves. Learn to ID some native species and how the native americans would utilize them in their daily life. It will be a great day for a hike through the beautiful park!Ages 4 - 12A registered adult must ...
Where: SaratogaCost: Free
Berkeley Bay FestivalCelebrate the San Francisco Bay at the Berkeley Marina. Connect with the Bay and our local community through live music, performers, food, hands-on educational activities, and free boat rides.This free, family-focused event celebrates the Bay, its local wildlife, and the people and agencies dedicated to its protection. Over 30 environmental and ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Makerspace Science Talk with Monique Smith LeeJoin us to learn more about northern elephant seals with researcher Monique Smith Lee. She will discuss their recovery from near extinction, their unique characteristics, and challenges due to climate change. Elephant seals are keystone species that maintain a natural balance in their ecosystem. Due to the loss of genetic ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free with admission
Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE): Enabling the Next Generation of Large Space Observatories - Wrong DateThe future of space-based UV/optical/IR astronomy requires ever larger telescopes. The highest priority astrophysics targets, including Earth-like exoplanets, first generation stars, and early galaxies, are all extremely faint, which presents an ongoing challenge for current missions and is the opportunity space for next generation telescopes: larger telescopes are the primary ...
Where: OaklandCost: Free
Sunday, 04/28/24
Almaden Quicksilver BioBlitzA BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. At a BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Five Dollar DayVisit The Lawrence and enjoy all the hands-on science we offer for just $5 per person. Learn cutting-edge science in Hands-on Biotech and Virtually Human, meet live animals in our recently renovated Animal Discovery Zone, and more! $5 Days are part of our efforts to increase access to our programs ...
As humans, we spend much of our time going beyond the here and now. We dwell on the past, long for the future, and ponder how things could have turned out differently. The capacity to simulate counterfactual possibilities is an important feat of human cognition. Counterfactuals are critical for how ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Measuring and Modeling Turbulent Bottom Boundary Layers in EstuariesParameterizations of sediment erosion in coastal models typically assume a turbulent wave boundary layer with wave-induced currents that exceed the mean currents, which is typical for beaches exposed to swell waves in the open ocean. When the wave-driven currents are strong, the addition of waves to a mean current leads ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Foxes in Your NeighborhoodThis program is led by internationally known Bill Leikam - aka the Fox Guy, president and co-founder of the Urban Wildlife Research Project. Here is what Bill says about his program: "Do you sometimes see paw prints in mud or scat (poop) on the trails and assume that a dog ...
Radiation therapy has become one of the most effective and cost effective precision targeted cancer therapies. This colloquium will review the evolution of radiotherapy in recent years, and highlight future directions in its continued evolution towards more effective cure of cancer.Speaker: Billy Loo Jr, Professor of Radiation OncologyAttend in person ...
Kabir Peay completed a master’s degree at the Yale School of Forestry and Environment Science (F&ES) in 2003 and obtained my PhD in 2008 from UC Berkeley’s Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM) in Matteo Garbelotto's lab. Kabir did his postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley in the Dept. ...
The Inflation Reduction Act created a diverse set of funding, financing, and tax incentives to promote investment in clean energy and manufacturing that the Biden-Harris administration is now implementing. That work follows a four-year period of intense legislative activity in the 116th and 117th Congresses as well as the much ...
Omarova will lay out an institutional design scheme for the proposed National Investment Authority (NIA), a federal entity to be charged with the financing and implementation of a long-term public investment strategy for the United States. And she will explain how this NIA, and other institutional proposals that she has ...
Catastrophic, civilization-threatening climate change is a genuine possibility within the coming century. This talk will consider evidence that a variety of climate tipping points and other planetary boundaries have already been crossed, and that climate sensitivity to greenhouse gases may be considerably higher than recent IPCC estimates. Further, modeling of ...
The Science of Teaching - LivestreamThe spark that ignites a student’s curiosity for science and mathematics can happen anywhere, but it is crucially nurtured in the classroom. In this session, three Distinguished Teaching Award winners will discuss what it takes to engage students in scientific inquiry. https://basicscience.berkeley.edu/Panel:Alex Filippenko, Professor of Astronomy, UC BerkeleyAlexander Paulin, Assistant ...
Where: Cost: Free
Tech in Culture: How Technology is Disrupting the Culture IndustryPrepare to be inspired as we delve into the world of Tech in Culture. This event is co-organized with French Tech SF, EDHEC GETT Master's Students, and FACS. We will explore how technology is revolutionizing the cultural landscape through:Captivating talks on AI-enabled art and its transformative potential.Immersive experiences that are ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $30 advance, $35 after 4/15
 Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:UC Berkeley psychologist Sophia Li on Imperfect Communication - As a communicator, I want to transfer information from my mind ...
Where: NovatoCost: Free
Wednesday, 05/01/24
Stanford Energy Research ShowcaseThe Stanford Energy Research Showcase is Stanford's principal annual technical symposium focused on Stanford energy research. Stanford faculty, post docs and graduate students, industry peers, and many interested stakeholders will gather to explore the most exciting advances in energy research at Stanford. Topics: Industrial Decarbonization, Energy Applications for Buildings, Electric Grid ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Fixing the Climate: Strategies for an Uncertain WorldStopping climate change will require reinventing today’s energy and industrial systems without falling victim to the same technocratic hubris that caused it. In their book, Fixing the Climate, Charles F. Sabel and David G. Victor propose an experimentalist system of governance and incentives for the incremental but cumulatively transformative redirection ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
'The Gift'The Gift is an immersive installation that animates contemporary astrophysics research to open up metaphorical space for grief, care, and renewal.In this rolling-entry experience, participants gather in a music-filled reading room, where they encounter an all-ages illustrated book - based on the astrophysics research of Dr. Natalie Gosnell - that ...
Where: StanfordCost:
Teaching Casualty Care in Ukraine During the Russian Invasion - Fourth Time's the Charm Dr Michael Baker teaches Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) to civilian and military medical providers and Stop the Bleed (StB) to civilians. The goal is to improve the care of injured patients during the first critical minutes after wounding in order to improve survival. He has recently returned from his ...
Where: LafayetteCost: Free
The Myths and Misconceptions About BreastsAn innovative investigation of the five strange worlds that worship women’s chests.After years of biopsies, sociologist and bestselling author Sarah Thornton made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy. But, after her reconstructive surgery, she was perplexed: What had she lost? And gained? An experienced sleuth, she resolved to ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $15 Members in person, $10/Free web
Rainforests chopped down. Indigenous peoples driven off their land to export avocados from Mexico. Extreme heat causing death and misery to factory workers and driving farmers off dried, cracked land in Bangladesh. Massive nickel processing plants in Indonesia making pristine water undrinkable and air unbreathable in order to make batteries ...
The architecture and diverse environmental conditions of our solar system seem exceptionally rare when compared to other nearby planetary systems in the Milky Way. We lack any version of Super-Earth and Sub-Neptune planets, the most frequently observed exoplanets. Furthermore, we host the only so-far-detected instance of life as we know ...
In this presentation, we'll explore the challenges and opportunities in fleet EV charging in America in the year of 2024. We will delve into two key case studies illustrating the impact of innovation: Fleets achieving rapid charging without extensive construction, and municipalities adopting green charging solutions in line with their ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
The Science of Weird Shit - LivestreamIf the wider scientific community is right to be skeptical about paranormal claims, why do so many people believe in the paranormal - including a sizable number who claim to have had direct personal experience of paranormal phenomena? Chris French will provide an overview of anomalistic psychology, which attempts to address ...
Where: Cost: Free
What She Said - Women in AIOriginating at W San Francisco with its launch in 2016, What She Said is a W Hotels & Resorts branded series featuring conversations among women that celebrate individuality, inclusivity, and honesty, tackling the issues of today from work, love, play and everything in between. The platform, which has since been ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25
NightLife Intersections: MusicBe serenaded by the sweet yet powerful sounds of percussion and strings and experience the ways musical instruments can foster connection in the last leg of our NightLife Intersections series. Explore how instruments have evolved across generations and discover how they can be used to bridge communities.Start the night with ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
After Dark: See for YourselfGet curious about the world at After Dark! Upend your perception and explore science, nature, and art with 650+ interactive exhibits. Reimagine colors in the monochrome room, and let your hearing, touch, and smell guide you through the Tactile Dome. End the night with a dance party hosted by DJ ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
Family Science Night at Willard Middle SchoolWillard Middle School will host Family Science Night, an evening of colorful demonstrations and hands-on chemistry, presented by the local California Section of the American Chemical Society. The entire Willard Community is cordially invited!Join us at in the Multi Purpose Room for exciting chemical demonstrations. We’re celebrating Earth Week this ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
Robotic Food Manipulation in the WildIt’s easy to make a robot work once in the lab, but what does it take to make it work reliably in the real world? At Chef Robotics, we have deployed dozens of robots into production. We are teaming up with Women in Robotics to share our learning with the ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Tech Talk: Psyche - RescheduledThe Psyche spacecraft, built by Maxar in partnership with NASA JPL, is flying to 16-Psyche, an all-metal asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Humanity has never before explored a world like it. But terrestrial planets like Earth are presumed to have metallic cores beneath their crusts. Psyche will hopefully help ...
Aomawa Shields is a woman of “contradictions.†An astronomer and astrobiologist, she searches for exoplanets where life might exist by using computer models to calculate the kind of atmosphere they’d need to support it. And she’s also a classically trained actor who - through her organization Rising Stargirls - teaches ...
Where: LivermoreCost: $30 - $60
Friday, 05/03/24
Bair Island Walking TourJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a walking tour at Bair Island! You’ll be guided by POST ambassadors who will share the history of this beautiful protected space, information about the species that live there, and what you can do to contribute.This easy 1 mile walk with little to no ...
In this talk I will discuss main insights from twenty years of research into the fisheries and conservation ecology of sharks and other elasmobranchs at Dalhousie University, starting with the groundbreaking work of Ram Myers. This body of work and the public awareness it has created has spurred diverse conservation ...
This presentation will be about how the precision of manipulating molecules has led to several large classes of porous materials capable of carbon capture and water harvesting from desert air. The use of generative AI and ChatGPT to speed up the cycle of materials discovery and make it available will ...
An Evening with Michael PollanWriter Michael Pollan talks with KQED’s Mina Kim about our individual and collective well-being, from changing what’s on our tables to what’s on our minds. Pollan is the former John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism at Berkeley Journalism and co-founder of the UC Berkeley Center for ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $40
Astro 101: Sights of the Cosmos, Intro to AstronomyThis event provides a different introduction to astronomy than our Intro to the Night Sky talks. During this hour, you'll gain an appreciation for the size and scale of the cosmos and our place within it. You'll see many examples of the beautiful objects visible in the night sky, learn ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
In Town Star PartyCome join San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) for an evening of stargazing.Event details:Events are held at the parking lot of our headquarters, Houge Park San Jose. The event duration is 2 hours. SJAA volunteers will share night sky views from their telescopes.Please refrain from bringing your own telescopes (Binoculars are ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
Saturday, 05/04/24
Bringing Back the Natives In-Person Garden Tour - Bayside GardensAbout ten days before the in-person Tour three PDFs will be e-mailed to registrants. One will contain addresses and a map that shows the relative locations of the Bayside gardens; another will contain addresses and a map showing the relative locations of the Inland gardens.The third is a “tickets†page. ...
Where: Cost: $15 Donation Requested
Birding at VasonaJoin YSI as we walk around Vasona Park and teach you about our feathered friends! Learn how to identify birds by their key characteristics, how to use binoculars, and then make a craft that will help you attract birds into your backyard!Ages 4 - 12A registered adult must accompany their ...
Where: Los GatosCost: Free
Got Fakes? Paper microfluidics and the hunt for bad quality medicines - LivestreamIn low- and middle-income countries, about one in ten medicine products is substandard or falsified. In my lab, I have samples of antimalarial drugs made from starch and chalk, antibiotics “cut†with talcum powder, and chemotherapy drugs that were manufactured at half the concentration they should have been. How do ...
Dr. Gilbert will discuss how the tools of modern psychology can be used to explore the prevalence, motivations, and content of historical and contemporary conspiracy theories. This will include conspiracy theories concerning such things as Lincoln’s assassination, chemtrails, the destruction of the battleship Maine, election fraud, and space lasers from ...
Where: Cost: Free
Rainbow Challenge at VasonaGo on a scavenger hunt to find all the colors of the rainbow in the park! Who can find all the colors first? Who can find some of the most unique colors? Give it your best!Ages 4 - 10A registered adult must accompany their child(ren)
Where: Los GatosCost: Free
Nike Missile Site Veteran Open HouseVeterans of the Nike program come to the site to share their stories with visitors and give guided tours of SF88 between the hours of 12pm - 3pm The SF-88 Nike Missile Site is the most fully restored Nike missile site in the country. During the tense years of the Cold War, from ...
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Final Exit Network (FEN), a national organization which grew out of the Hemlock Society founded by Derek Humphry, and which has been supporting those who wish to hasten their own deaths.Only eleven jurisdictions currently have Death with Dignity Acts -- often referred to ...
Where: Cost: Free
Starry Nights Star Party - CANCELEDThe San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA), working with the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA), is glad to co-host a public star party at Rancho Canada del Oro (RCDO) Open Space Preserve. This site, just 30 minutes south of downtown San Jose, features dark skies. It's dark enough to ...
Where: Morgan HillCost: Free
Sunday, 05/05/24
Bringing Back the Natives In-Person Garden Tour - Inland GardensAbout ten days before the in-person Tour three PDFs will be e-mailed to registrants. One will contain addresses and a map that shows the relative locations of the Bayside gardens; another will contain addresses and a map showing the relative locations of the Inland gardens.The third is a “tickets†page. ...
Kevin Bolling's presentation sheds light on the pervasive conservative threats facing public education. Exploring the historical roots, Kevin unveils a timeline marked by systematic challenges. Real-life headlines illustrate the broader plan threatening public education: curriculum and book bans aimed at erasing vital historical narratives, private school vouchers, parent and student ...
Where: South San FranciscoCost: Free
Solar ObservingIt’s there for us year round, lighting our days and providing energy for our lives, so maybe it’s time to give it a closer look. Join SJAA for amazing and detailed views of the Sun, and be assured that we’ll be using special telescopes that will keep your eyeballs perfectly ...
Dr. Lorraine Ling will present her research on coral bleaching
Where: Rohnert ParkCost: Free
From Sample Collection to Public Protection: Investigation and Remediation at Vapor Intrusion SitesThere are over a thousand sites with known environmental contamination in the San Francisco Bay Area, many with vapor-forming chemicals, such as solvents. These volatile chemicals often migrate from the subsurface into nearby buildings, where they can pose risks to occupants. In this talk, I will present an overview of ...
A vital and galvanizing history of abortion and how its stigma is intrinsically connected to racism and systemic oppression, told from the viewpoint of people of color, focusing on their experiences with the American health care system and the injustices they have suffered. For far too long, the narrative around ...
Wise policies will balance the certainties and uncertainties of a changing climate against the world’s growing demand for reliable and affordable energy. I will describe the scientific, technological, and societal realities that should be informing those policies.Speaker: Steven Koonin, New York University
From the homes we live in to the very food that sustains us, America’s buildings and industrial sectors are the foundation of our modern world. People spend 90% of their time in buildings and manufacturing generates more than 11 million jobs and makes up 11% of U.S. GDP. But today’s ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
SynBioBeta 2024: The Global Synthetic Biology Conference - Pre-ConferenceJoin us for an unparalleled four-day summit delving into synthetic biology. Explore why the costs of reading, writing, and editing DNA plummet while speed and accessibility soar. Gain insights into cutting-edge medical advancements such as cell therapies, vaccines, and living medicines. Discover how companies harness biology to produce bio-based jet ...
Following a series of catastrophic wildfires ignited by electric utility infrastructure, California utilities have taken significant steps - at a significant cost to ratepayers - to lower their wildfire risk. But recent wildfires across the Western United States, from Oregon to Hawaii, Colorado, and Texas, have made it clear that ...
How does artificial intelligence shift power in international security? A burgeoning literature in international politics and security studies has documented its effects on the balance of power, strategic stability, and the future of warfare. In this work, power is largely material, if not kinetic, and the specifics of technologies are ...
Do spiders deserve much better press? Modern media tend to portray spiders as eight-legged, multi-eyed terrors. With deeper exposure, and open minds, can we come to see the beauty and benefits of our arachnid aquaintances? UC Berkeley scientist Trinity Walls thinks so. Her life-long journey - from curious child to ...
Where: Cost: Free
SynBioBeta 2024: The Global Synthetic Biology Conference - Day 1Join us for an unparalleled four-day summit delving into synthetic biology. Explore why the costs of reading, writing, and editing DNA plummet while speed and accessibility soar. Gain insights into cutting-edge medical advancements such as cell therapies, vaccines, and living medicines. Discover how companies harness biology to produce bio-based jet ...
The California Policy Collective invites you to join us for a forum with Tom Perez, current senior advisor to President Biden and the former United States secretary of labor under President Obama. This will be a free-flowing conversation, but topics will likely include the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure & ...
Climate tech is critical for averting planetary chaos. Half the greenhouse gas reductions required to reach “net-zero†climate targets in 2050 will need to come from technologies that have not yet been invented. Without effective government interventions, market incentives alone will not produce a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy. ...
The contemporary world is facing the formidable challenges posed by the climate crisis and a globally aging population. These issues underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions that also promote a healthier environment. In this context, microorganisms present a promising avenue for the eco-friendly production of a wide array of ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
KQED Deep Look Film Night at the Estuary & Ocean Science CenterJoin KQED’s Deep Look wildlife series for a special screening event exploring nature’s tiny wonders at San Francisco State University’s Estuary & Ocean Science CenterYou’ll watch short films produced in collaboration with the EOS Center about plankton, mussels and sea slugs. Josh Cassidy, KQED’s Deep Look award-winning producer and cinematographer ...
Where: TiburonCost: Free
Silicon Valley Dejargonizers, a toastmasters club meeting - LivestreamHow would you explain wifi to kids? How would you explain a large language model to a non-technical person?How would you explain the journey of an online payment?Would you like to get the skills to explain such complex topics in simple terms?At  Silicon Valley Dejargonizers, a toastmasters club at District ...
California is aiming to set the standard for reining in the swiftly growing AI industry that has largely developed within the state’s own borders. Dozens of bills are currently working their way through the state legislature to set rules for everything from deepfakes, to preserving jobs for workers, to the ...
Fungal bioluminescence was first described by Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.), and continues to fascinate and puzzle scientists today. While over 100 species of fungi are known to produce luminescent mushrooms or mycelium, the chemical and genetic basis of the light-producing reaction was only recently discovered, and the reason these fungi glow ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: Free
SynBioBeta 2024: The Global Synthetic Biology Conference - Day 2Join us for an unparalleled four-day summit delving into synthetic biology. Explore why the costs of reading, writing, and editing DNA plummet while speed and accessibility soar. Gain insights into cutting-edge medical advancements such as cell therapies, vaccines, and living medicines. Discover how companies harness biology to produce bio-based jet ...
It’s a critical time for implementing climate and air quality solutions. With the passage of the BAAQMD clean air rules for water and space heating, cities and counties are preparing for green, efficient, electric appliances to go mainstream. Come hear the innovative solutions happening around the Bay. This event is ...
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) involves the study of a rapidly growing archive of data from satellite, airborne and ground platforms, at a range of wavelengths and resolutions. Â InSAR is often used to estimate ground displacements over time, due to earthquakes, volcanic activity, glacier motion, or anthropogenic activity such as ...
The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid represents a pivotal transformation with the potential to significantly enhance the sustainability and efficiency of both transportation and energy systems. This talk will explore the opportunities and challenges arising from vehicle-grid interactions, underpinned by a series of research projects that ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Understanding the XZ Security Breach and Open Source SecurityA group of experts, each with a unique perspective, will gather to discuss the recent XZ security breach followed by a light reception. This open source security discussion is co-sponsored by the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) and the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public. We hope you will ...
SLAC on Tap: Shocking to the Core: Adventures in Earth Science Double your pressure, double your fun! Join us at the Dutch Goose for SLAC on Tap on May 9, when SLAC scientist and rock star Arianna Gleason will share the amazing secrets scientists are trying to squeeze from the depths of Earth and other celestial bodies, from the origin of ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
After Dark: Intelligence DesignPlay with AI the Exploratorium way! Join Osher Fellow and creator of Microsoft’s Cozy AI Kitchen series John Maeda to learn about how design thinking intersects with artificial intelligence. Test out exhibit prototypes on machine learning, and chat with our exhibit developers about what they’re working on.
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
NightLifeCalling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. With live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and nearly 60,000 live animals (including familiar faces like Claude, our alligator with albinism), the night is sure to be wild.Step inside our four-story ...
Fungi are weird, fungi are cool, and fungi are beautiful. But how much do we really know about them? For starters, they do much more than just rot things. They control pretty much all life on our planet and are everywhere.Britt Bunyard’s lecture will present fascinating stories and beautiful photos ...
Our book, Righting America at the Creation Museum, came out in 2016. In the intervening years, the creationist organization Answers in Genesis has opened Ark Encounter, remodeled the Creation Museum (in some places as a response to our book), opened a K-12 school, and dramatically expanded its online presence. At the ...
California has allowed medical-aid-in-dying since implementing the law in 2016. Patients, families, and medical professionals continue to have questions about the overall process and alternatives such as hospice care and palliative sedation to address suffering. Joshua Fronk, DO will review the medical-aid-in-dying process, identify challenges that patients may encounter as ...
Where: Cost: Free
SynBioBeta 2024: The Global Synthetic Biology Conference - Innovation DiscoveryJoin us for an unparalleled four-day summit delving into synthetic biology. Explore why the costs of reading, writing, and editing DNA plummet while speed and accessibility soar. Gain insights into cutting-edge medical advancements such as cell therapies, vaccines, and living medicines. Discover how companies harness biology to produce bio-based jet ...
Where: San JoseCost: Varies, see weblink
Friday, 05/10/24
Breathing Water in a Warming World: an Overview of the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT)There is less oxygen in the best aerated sea or freshwater water than on top of Mount Everest. Fish and other water-breathing ectotherms (WBE) deal with this through a number of adaptations shaped by physical and dimensional constraints. These constraints are the key components of the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT), ...
Family Nature Adventures: Special Mother’s Day EditionJoin us for a delightful Mother’s Day celebration that combines creativity, nature, and family fun! Our workshop offers a unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-8 to create beautiful mosaic flower pots while enjoying a seed bar filled with an array of seeds to plant and nurture.Mosaic Tile Flower ...
Where: OaklandCost: $30 Adult, $35 Youth
Mt. Tam Star PartySan Francisco Amateur Astronomers will give us a tour of the springtime constellations and offer telescope viewing.We will observe the crescent Moon, the Beehive and Coma star clusters, double stars like Castor and Algieba, and distant galaxies in Virgo, Leo, and Ursa Major.Please dress warmly and bring binoculars and a ...
Where: Mill ValleyCost: Free
Jazz Under the StarsJazz Under the Stars is a FREE monthly public stargazing event! Occurring on the Saturday nearest the 1st quarter moon (check our Events Page), join us in building 36 on the 4th floor observatory for a night of smooth jazz, bright stars, and a lot of fun! We play our jazz ...
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Sunday, 05/12/24
Family Nature Adventures: Special Mother’s Day EditionJoin us for a delightful Mother’s Day celebration that combines creativity, nature, and family fun! Our workshop offers a unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-8 to create beautiful mosaic flower pots while enjoying a seed bar filled with an array of seeds to plant and nurture.Mosaic Tile Flower ...
Where: OaklandCost: $30 Adult, $35 Youth
Solar ObservingIt’s there for us year round, lighting our days and providing energy for our lives, so maybe it’s time to give it a closer look. Join SJAA for amazing and detailed views of the Sun, and be assured that we’ll be using special telescopes that will keep your eyeballs perfectly ...
How are events that occur in the real world represented in language? How do we go from the chaotic, disorderly, “kaleidoscopic flux of impressions†that we observe in the world to a discrete representation - a particular verb, along with its arguments, arranged in an orderly syntactic structure? In this ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
NicaAgua: Climate science, participatory transdisciplinary approaches, and the development of a climate appThroughout Central America, smallholder farmers build their livelihoods on rain-fed agriculture which is highly sensitive to seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation. Recent hydroclimatic shifts precipitated by global changes in this complex yet narrow climatic region are not well understood. This study examines how to best quantify and communicate these ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Low Tide Walk at Bair IslandGather your ducklings or fly solo with us on an easy 0.8 mile walk along the marsh at Bair Island! This event is FREE! Come enjoy a low tide walking tour around the charming marshlands of Bair Island. The low tide exposes the mysterious world of mudflats, creating the perfect habitat ...
In this talk we will present an update on the Lab’s science and technology strategy, which has been under development for the past few months. This strategy was recently presented to SLAC’s Board of Oversight Science & Technology Committee and will form the basis for the upcoming Annual Lab Plan ...
Richard Lenski is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he studies the genetic and ecological basis of evolutionary change. In particular, Dr. Lenski performs experiments to analyze the process of evolution in action. In an experiment started in 1988, he and his team have maintained and studied ...
Today, climate change is a well-known, and reasonably understood, problem with mitigation efforts and technologies (carbon sequestration, electric mobility, renewables, policy updates, and others) starting to gel together at a system level. However, at the end-use demand end, less progress has been made, and as wealth and populations rise, and ...
The most powerful cosmic engines in our universe are fueled by compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. These cosmic engines consume large amounts of material and expel matter in the form of jets travelling at near the speed of light. Recent groundbreaking discoveries of gravitational waves from ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $15 General, $12 Members & Seniors
Tuesday, 05/14/24
Exploring Quanta and Fields - LivestreamArguably, quantum field theory (QFT) presents humanity's deepest insights into the rules of reality, i.e., into the laws of existence. QFT allows us to describe - with remarkable accuracy - the particles and forces that animate the cosmos, including the stuff of mind and body. Note that calling QFT a ...
Over a five-year period, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will spectroscopically classify nearly 40 million galaxies and quasars over 1/3 of the sky and to redshifts z < 3.5. Â The DESI collaboration recently completed the measurement of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature in seven distinct redshift intervals using ...
The Next Frontier is Your Mind: Neurotechnologies, Human Rights, and the Battle for Your BrainEmerging technologies are evolving at an astonishing pace. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the field of neurotechnology, which refers to devices capable of recording, interpreting, or altering brain activity. Neurotechnology has long been used in scientific settings, pioneering both brain research and medical breakthroughs; in recent years, neurotechnology ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
From Neanderthals to Plants to Pathogens: Human Co-evolution with Other Organisms - LivestreamAs humans have evolved over the last 300 thousand years, we have shared the planet with many living things, interacting with and affecting one another in many ways. Join us as three biologists discuss the intricacies of our species’ co-evolution with other beings.Panel:Elena Zavala, Miller Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Molecular ...
The restoration of California's imperiled vegetated marine ecosystems - LivestreamOver the last few decades widespread documentation of the decline of coastal ecosystems has been increasing, leaving scientists and managers scrambling to find solutions. California’s marine ecosystems, such as kelp forests, seagrass beds, and salt marshes are not an exception; and there is a need to further our scientific understanding ...
This case study underscores the critical need to address embodied emissions within the automotive sector, a major component of the industry's overall carbon footprint, particularly during the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Regrettably, embodied emissions have historically received inadequate attention and have been shrouded in obscurity. While a valuable instrument, ...
Where: Cost: Free
Silicon Valley Dejargonizers, a toastmasters club meeting - LivestreamHow would you explain wifi to kids? How would you explain a large language model to a non-technical person?How would you explain the journey of an online payment?Would you like to get the skills to explain such complex topics in simple terms?At Silicon Valley Dejargonizers, a toastmasters club at District ...
Black holes are some of the most exotic and extreme objects in the Universe. Though they may sound like the stuff of science fiction, they are real and much more common than you may think; every galaxy has one lurking at its center! In this talk, we will explore exactly ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Thursday, 05/16/24
Coastal Walk at Cowell-Purisima TrailJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a beautiful walk along the Cowell-Purisima trail that POST helped create by protecting adjacent farmland. While it may be foggy, we hope to catch gorgeous views of the ocean, nearby farmland, and glimpses of harbor seals, pelicans, hawks, rabbits, and whales during the winter ...
As climate volatility becomes more extreme, so too will its destabilizing impact on politics. Yet we know relatively little about its effects on voting behavior, particularly in the developing world, and even less about downstream effects on the reputation of candidates and political institutions. Exploring the mechanisms behind these effects ...
Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt, is the only dwarf planet to have been orbited by spacecraft. Â If Ceres is icy, it is an especially useful cornerstone to learn about the more distant moons and ocean worlds of the outer solar system. Â However, most current literature concludes that ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
The Christian Nationalist Threat to American Democracy - LivestreamChristian nationalism is more than faith combined with patriotism. It’s a movement designed to impose one vision of Christianity on all others - a religious mission of conquest and domination. As the 2024 elections approach, the dangers of this movement are becoming more apparent.While it’s long been a presence in ...
Dr. Sahas Barve is an ornithologist who will answer your burning questions about birds in this "ask-me-anything" format! Please send in your question when you register and we will pool the questions ahead of time to decide which ones were asked by most of the participants so Sahas can prioritize ...
Where: Cost: Free
Women Energy Associates: Climate Adocacy in ActionClimate action advocates world-wide have been instrumental in spurring organizations and institutions to adopt climate and sustainability goals. How have these goals translated into action? How can advocates and implementers support one another as we move forward with urgency to address climate and equity challenges.Join WEA for a conversation with ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $30 General, $15 Students
2024 Drake AwardsWe’re excited to celebrate all things SETI and astrobiology! The SETI Institute’s annual event has a new venue (the Computer History Museum) and a new format (a seated dinner)!Join us as we honor groundbreaking achievements in the search for life beyond Earth.  Three awards will be presented - Carl Sagan ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: $100 General, $20 Youth in person, $15 online
After Dark: LASERsCome celebrate the amazing technology that is LASERs at the Exploratorium! May 16 is the International Day of Light, a holiday that commemorates the first time a LASER was successfully fired in 1960. Visit us this Thursday night to play with LASER demonstrations, learn about refraction through different materials, and ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
NightLife x Carnaval SFCarnaval SF is taking over NightLife! Join our colorful celebration of music, dance, and artistry from Latin American, Caribbean, and Afrodiasporic cultures. Experience the joy of Carnaval throughout the museum with live dance performances, a pop-up mercado (marketplace), and more!See weblink for events and schedules
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
Astronomy on Tap Santa Cruz: Thriving in Space: Biology and Human HealthHuman spaceflight missions promise a new chapter towards long-term Moon habitation and Mars transit & surface missions.Come learn about ongoing fundamental biological research, space hazards to humans (& our ecosystems), and global collaborations in space biomedical sciences. We will present on the benefits to life and biomedicine on Earth, and ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Healthy Air, Healthy HomeLearn from a doctor about air quality and how it impacts health, especially in kids & seniors.• Enjoy a live demo of cooking on a powerful induction stove & enjoy a tasty dessert!• Discover practical solutions for improving air quality in your home & neighborhood such as using air purifiers and replacing polluting gas appliances & vehicles ...
Where: PacificaCost: Free
NOVA Secrets in your DataWhether you’re on social media or surfing the web, you’re probably sharing more personal data than you realize. That can pose a risk to your privacy - even your safety. At the same time, big datasets could lead to huge advances in fields like medicine. In NOVA's Secrets in Your ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Friday, 05/17/24
Morning Hike at Rancho Cañada del OroJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for an excursion where you’ll explore the Mayfair Ranch - Longwall Canyon trails of Rancho Cañada del Oro! You will be guided by POST Ambassadors who will share with you the history of the preserve, the region, and the importance of conservation in the area.The ...
The nature of water ice on Mars has important implications for understanding the Martian climate system, which undergoes climate cycles analogous to Earth’s Milankovitch cycles. The distribution and properties of ice on Mars therefore provides us a window into these extraterrestrial “Ice Ages.†I will present the results of spacecraft ...
The PARC Forum IEEE Milestone CelebrationSRI is proud to host our next PARC Forum IEEE Milestone celebration to celebrate the creation of three world-changing technologies: the Alto personal computer, Ethernet, and the Laser Printer invented and developed at PARC.The Forum, to be hosted by SRI’s Chief Executive Officer David Parekh, will include conversations with Vint ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
Saturday, 05/18/24
EV Ride and DriveCurious about Electric Vehicles (EVs)?Experience electric vehicles and take one for a test drive or ride. At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in, ride, or drive electric vehicles to experience the joy of switching to electric firsthand. Have all your questions answered about the vehicles, charging, and ...
Where: SunnyvaleCost: Free
Teaching Astronomy in Italy and the Lessons I LearnedAndy Kreyche fell in love with the night sky when first saw stars in the deep, dark desert skies of Southern Arizona after moving there at the age of 7. He has been involved with informal astronomy education since the 1990's, after which he started a career working in planetariums. ...
Where: San JoseCost: Free
City Public Star PartyCome join the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers for free public stargazing of the Moon, planets, globular clusters and more!The event will take place in Tunnel Tops National Park, parking is located adjacent to Picnic Place (210 Lincoln Blvd for GPS) with the telescopes setup in the East Meadow.Dress warmly as conditions ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free
Sunday, 05/19/24
Hike at Windy HillJoin POST on a guided hike on one of the first open spaces we protected as an organization! A POST Representative will share a few words about POST’s decades of conservation success before hiking groups leave to explore a strenuous but rewarding 7 mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation ...
Where: Portola ValleyCost: Free
InsectPaloozaJoin us for this free family-friendly event to get up close and hands-on with live animals from SaveNature.Org’s Insect Discovery Lab! Meet a variety of arthropods from around the world, like the Australian Walking Stick, the Giant African Millipede, and many more!In addition, local guest artists Zoe Farmer, Lauren Hartman, ...
The ocean floor of our "water planet" is vast - rich in biodiversity and dense in mineral wealth. A single organization, the International Seabed Authority, governs roughly half of this undersea territory, and that governance is scientifically and economically challenging, to say the least. Wonderfest joins Cameo Cinema for a ...
The invention of attosecond light sources using high-harmonic generation has inspired a new field of research. Attosecond science is concerned with the study of electronic dynamics in quantum systems, and it has influenced a variety of scientific disciplines: from atomic and solid state physics to biology. The success of this technology ...
Erika Edwards is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, and currently also serves as Curator of Botany and Paleobotany in the Peabody Museum of Natural History, and as Director of Marsh Botanical Garden. Edwards earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University (1998) and her Ph.D. from ...
How can we address climate change and boost equity? In this highly interactive session, we’ll use the En-ROADS global climate simulator, built by Climate Interactive and MIT, to test a wide range of climate solutions, from clean energy to nature-based solutions, electrification, and carbon removal. Andrew Jones and his team ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Flora of San Francisco's Serpentine Grassland, Starr King Open SpaceJoin us in San Francisco's Potrero Hill districe to learn about the flora of Starr King Open Space. Home to the last remaining population of the county's Yellow Mariposa Lily, this talk, a part of our annual meeting, will focus on other plant species a part of the serpentine beltway ...
Magmas and the gases they release link Earth’s interior to surface climate and environments. Examples range in scale from brief sulfur-driven cooling in the wake of explosive eruptions to major mass extinctions in the case of some of the voluminous magmatic episodes known as Large Igneous Provinces. However, the size ...
The Higgs boson was discovered in 2012 by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the world’s most powerful particle collider, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland. This particle plays a unique role in fundamental physics. It gives all of the known elementary particles, including itself, their masses. While ...
Whether we like it or not, the AI revolution is coming to education. The founder of Khan Academy returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs for a first look at how the artificial intelligence revolution will affect education, its implications for parenting, and how we can best harness its power for ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $15 Members in person, $10/Free web
Astronomy on Tap Tucson #98: Dark Energy + Colliding Worlds - LivestreamThis month, we’ll be joined by NSF NOIRLab astronomer Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang talking about dark energy and the expanding universe and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory grad student Arin Avsar telling us about colliding worlds. And Steward postdocs Jackie Champagne and Danny Krolikowski will be telling us all about the latest ...
There has been a lot of discussion recently on the pluses and minuses of the explosion in the mushroom world of folks charging to take others on forays. I will address that. I've done over 200 of them. I teach my forayers how to identify mushrooms. I teach about ...
Global warming and marine heatwaves present two distinctly different challenges for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. While global warming is occurring quite rapidly, it represents a persistent change or press perturbation allowing some, albeit limited, reaction time for marine organisms and people. In contrast, marine heatwaves are abrupt, pulse perturbations ...
Join us for an enlightening discussion with Professor Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate and Former U.S. Secretary of Energy. Professor Chu will share his unparalleled insights on scaling sustainability innovation as well as key learnings from his experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) and beyond. His expertise deeply aligns with ...
Desalination for a Circular Water Economy - LivestreamHow does the role of desalination apply in resilient water resource portfolios? Professor Mauter will describe technological innovations required to support a circular water economy in which non-traditional water is treated to fit-for-purpose standards and reused locally. With Professor Mauter, alumni will:1. Critically review the efficacy of state-of-the-art desalination technologies ...
Jupiter's moon Europa may be a habitable world, containing the “ingredients†necessary for life within its ocean. Data from NASA’s earlier Galileo mission suggest that a global salty ocean exists beneath the icy surface. Tides have broken that floating ice shell to create ridges, bands, and chaotic terrains that may ...
“If you take care of birds, you take care of most of the environmental problems in the world,†according to conservationist Thomas Lovejoy. FEATHER TRAILS - A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY AMONG ENDANGERED BIRDS is the compelling story of a young woman’s attempts to “take care of birds†by working to ...
“Chasing Shadows â€" Tales of the Greatest(?) Eclipse Chasers†From ancient civilizations to modern day American presidents, solar eclipses have fascinated us all. This talk is about those people who dared to go beyond the ordinary, running across the surface of the Earth in epic quests to chase our Moon’s ...
Baleen whales are some of the largest animals that have ever existed on our planet. They have enormous energetic needs that can only be satisfied by feeding on large schools of dense prey that are patchily distributed in the oceans. Using a suite of emerging technologies we have developed new ...
Continental-scale changes in Earth’s ice sheets are predominantly monitored with spaceborne instruments which are best-suited to measure surface processes. Conversely, a thorough understanding of the subsurface requires intensive ground-based campaigns which are inherently limited to the local scale. Here, I discuss work from two of our studies in West Antarctica ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
SETI Live: Earth's Deep Ocean as a Model for Alien Worlds - Livestream The INVADER project researches ways to improve life detection in ocean worlds by studying alien worlds in Earth’s deep ocean. We seek to understand how we can detect life in the deep ocean here on Earth with flight-ready instruments (e.g., can go on a space flight mission). The deep ...
Where: Cost: Free
Climate Conversations: Affordable Housing and the Environment - LivestreamThe Bay Area is severely behind on producing affordable housing. Nearly half of Bay Area renters are rent burdened and 38,000 people are experiencing homelessness. This is not only unjust and unsafe, but deeply connected to our ability to address climate change and protect our natural environment.This fall, Californians have ...
Where: Cost: Free
AI: From the Lab to the MarketFrench Tech SF and Swissnex are organizing an event featuring renowned AI authorities. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, with new applications and innovations emerging all the time. This event will bring together leading experts in the field to discuss the latest trends and share their insights ...
Many people in today’s world seek to reclaim the soul-deepening wildness that grounds them and energizes them when so much of the modern world seems designed to tame them. In his thrilling memoir of a life spent exploring the most incredible places on Earth - from the Great African Seaforest ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $15 Members in person, $10/Free web
Get ready for an egg-cellent evening at the Exploratorium! Join our Explainers to create the best vessel for your eggs at the egg drop challenge. Take a look at chicken embryos at different stages of development under a microscope. And don’t miss out on Pairings: Eggs, a tasting event exclusive ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $19.95 General, Free for members
An Evening with the Stars 2024: Exploring the Fourth Dimension: TimeTime-domain astrophysics pertains to the most violent phenomena in our Universe, including stellar eruprions, disruptions, explosions, and mergers. Combining multiple messengers of information (including light, particles, and gravitational waves, it constitutes a new frontier of discovery in Astrophysics. In this event we will explore some of the most recent advances ...
Many people in today’s world seek to reclaim the soul-deepening wildness that grounds them and energizes them when so much of the modern world seems designed to tame them. In his thrilling memoir of a life spent exploring the most incredible places on Earth - from the Great African Seaforest ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $25 General, $15 Members in person, $10/Free web
From towering redwood forests to vast deserts, breathtaking coasts to bustling cities, California has it all. Get an exclusive first look at our new exhibit California: State of Nature at a special NightLife celebrating the Native people, communities, and creatures that make our state so special.
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
Tech Talk: PsycheThe Psyche spacecraft, built by Maxar in partnership with NASA JPL, is flying to 16-Psyche, an all-metal asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Humanity has never before explored a world like it. But terrestrial planets like Earth are presumed to have metallic cores beneath their crusts. Psyche will hopefully help ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Mercury Rising: The Toxicology of a Global PollutantEvery day, we come in contact with many different chemicals that have the potential to impact our lives. Toxicology is a field of science that helps us understand the interactions between us, our environment, and these chemicals, which are sometimes toxic. Heavy metals, such as mercury, are particularly interesting due ...
Where: Menlo ParkCost: Free
Bering Sea Saga - A Tale of Two Birders - LivestreamJonah Benningfield and Mark Rauzon both did seabird field work in Alaska’s Bering Sea. Jonah was situated on the famed Pribilof Islands, especially St. George and Mark cruised by there in the fog, surveying at sea from Victoria BC to Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow. On-island and at-sea perspectives will show ...
For the seventh installment of the Oceans' Spring Seminar Series our guest speaker is coming from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Dr. Clement Kinney has been working in the Polar and Global Modelling Group at NPS since 2002. She completed both a Master's degree and PhD in Physical Oceanography at the ...
Stewardship Saturday: Watching for WhalesJoin CA Ocean Alliance, Monterey Bay Whale Watch, and The Marine Mammal Center as we head into the ocean to look for cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) as well as other marine mammals! Through this event you will get to learn about the different cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) present along ...
Where: MontereyCost: Free
3D Theater Opening Day: Wings Over WaterWings Over Water 3D PremiereShowtimes at 12, 2, & 4 3D Theater Opening Day: Wings Over Water 3DCelebrate the reopening of our 3D Theater with a screen that doubles the surface area and a new state-of-the-art projector, and watch the premiere of  Wings Over Water! The film tells the story of ...
Where: BerkeleyCost: $5 + $20 admission to the science center
Postcards from the MoonRobert Reeves’ presentation, “Postcards from the Moonâ€, summarizes his 60-year passion for observing the Moon by helping the others appreciate the beauty as well as the science of the Moon. Illustrated with images taken by Robert, a noted lunar astrophotographer, his presentation shows that a look at the Moon through ...
