Soils play a central role in the global carbon cycle and constitute a key component of natural climate solutions that require quantitative predictions of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics at local to regional scales. In hilly and mountainous settings, variations in uplift and stream incision generate gradients in erosion and ...
Artificial humanities is an interdisciplinary research framework for understanding the cultural, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of AI. This approach explores how the humanities - literature, history, and art - can deepen our understanding of artificial intelligence and its development. The talk will consider the role of fictional narratives in technology. ...
Sub-Neptunes, planets ranging in size between Earth and Neptune, are the most abundant type of exoplanets discovered to date. However, their nature remains enigmatic, as no such planets exist in our Solar System. Sub-Neptunes are hypothesized to be either bloated terrestrial planets (“super-Earths”), miniature giant planets (“mini-Neptunes”), or perhaps something ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
From Photons to Ions: The Electric Heart of the Artemis Lunar Space StationPresented by Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson, Maxar Space SystemsJoin the AIAA San Francisco Chapter for an exciting presentation from Maxar Space Systems engineers Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson, who will give an inside look at the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) spacecraft - the first vital component of NASA’s ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free lecture, cost for optional food
Character Building - Bridging Code and Culture through UnicodeWhile many of us can seamlessly text and type in our native language, millions around the world lack that ability. Most living languages are not fully supported on digital platforms, raising a critical question: How can we ensure that every language-and the communities that speak them-can fully participate in the ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Skeptics in the PubThis is a casual night of socializing and feasting with fellow Bay Area folk in an Irish Pub on the Peninsula.Please join us! This is a free event brought to you by Bay Area Skeptics. All are welcome.
Where: MillbraeCost: Free
Wonderfest: Ask a Science Envoy: AI Memorization; Frog SecretsWonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with enhanced communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:Stanford computer scientist Nicole Meister on Has ChatGPT Memorized the Internet? - Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, have recently gained widespread popularity. Trained ...
New Zealand is home to a unique and fascinating avifauna, with many species found nowhere else on Earth. Its isolation has led to the evolution of an extraordinary array of endemic birds, from the iconic Kiwi to the rare Kakapo. John will share highlights from his birding journey through New ...
Revolutionizing battery manufacturing: Printing the future of energyJoin the Stanford Energy Club and Stanford Founders for an exclusive conversation with Karl Littau, Chief Technology Officer at Sakuu, the company pioneering multi-material additive manufacturing for next-generation batteries. With a career spanning Applied Materials, Xerox PARC, Intermolecular, and Stanford's Geballe Lab, Karl brings a unique perspective on scaling deep ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
Thursday, 05/15/25
Lunch Break Science - LivestreamLunch Break Science is a dynamic live web series featuring fascinating short talks, engaging interviews, and lively Q&A with Leakey Foundation scientists. Each episode digs deeper into the latest human origins discoveries, with topics like Neanderthals, chimpanzee behavior, and more! Even better, you can interact with researchers during the show ...
Where: Cost: Free
SETI Live: A Cookbook of Life: How Chemistry Might Explain Life on Other Planets - LivestreamWhat if the origin of life isn’t a one-in-a-billion cosmic fluke, but something that happens whenever the conditions are just right?Join communications specialist Beth Johnson as we explore groundbreaking research from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where scientists have identified over 270 self-replicating chemical reactions that may have sparked ...
Where: Cost: Free
NightLife: Jewish American Heritage CelebrationFor Jewish American Heritage Month, we invite you to share in the richness and diversity of Jewish culture, art, and stories in this celebration curated by Value Culture. Take in genre-crossing live performances showcasing the Jewish diaspora, ranging from a viral rap sensation to Yiddish music that pays homage to a ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Varies
After Dark: Ride OnGet ready for a wheely fun time! Celebrate Bike to Wherever Day by riding over to the Exploratorium and learning about the science of bikes, fascinating historical bicycles, ways to get involved with your local bicycle groups, and more.Ages 18+
Come join us for our last general meeting of the season as we get ready to go morel hunting! We’ll also be celebrating Dr. Gordon Walker’s new book: Passport to Kingdom Fungi!Gordon is one of SOMA’s board members and our Scholarship Committee Chair, and he will present a fun and ...
Nest Building: Creating Lasting (Birding) Community - LivestreamChelsea Connorwill be sharing her thoughts and perspectives on “Nest Building”. No, not bird nests per say, but rather the spaces we build to create a lasting community with our fellow birders.Click here to watch the talk.
Where: Cost: Free
The 3M Model of False Belief - LivestreamFalse beliefs are rampant throughout our culture - and imminently consequential, influencing election outcomes and being used to justify any number of policy decisions. So why do so many people cling to such consequential beliefs, even when they’re demonstrably untrue? While many have cited everything from anti-intellectualism to mass delusion ...
Sequence to Solutions: Creating a Healthier WorldTwenty-five years ago, the Human Genome Project released the first draft of the human genome sequence, a moonshot accomplishment that UC Santa Cruz played a heroic role in getting over the finish line. It is also the anniversary of the UC Santa Cruz Genome Browser, one of the most widely ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
Deflection of light near JupiterSpeaker: Dr. William (Bill) FisherAttend in person or online (see weblink to obtain connection information)
Where: LivermoreCost: Free
Saturday, 05/17/25
Stanford Health MattersWe look forward to welcoming you to Health Matters - the free annual community health event hosted by Stanford Medicine - where you can learn about the latest advances in medicine, health, and wellness. Join us on the medical school campus to hear about the latest research and practical tips ...
Where: StanfordCost: Free
TinkerfestCelebrate the curious, creative and inventive spirit in all of us!Tinkerfest brings together makers, artists, and tinkerers to showcase their work while inviting attendees of all ages to join in DIY fun. During this two-day event, the entire Center will be filled with activities that highlight creativity and curiosity.
Super Scaly CrittersReptiles are some of the most unique animals in the world! Come learn about them and meet live animals that represent this scaly group. Meet local and exotic species that you will even get a chance to pet!A registered adult must accompany their child(ren) for this event.Register at weblinkAges 4 ...
Where: Los GatosCost: $25 per person
CuriOdyssey Weekend Workshop: Marine MarvelsDive into the fascinating world of marine animals and discover the amazing creatures that inhabit our oceans, from playful dolphins to mysterious deep-sea dwellers. Through fun activities and interactive lessons, you’ll learn about their habitats, behaviors, and the important roles they play in our ecosystem.Ages 5 to 10 years old
Where: San MateoCost: $45-$55
Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2025 - LivestreamJoin POST for an unforgettable evening at the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, where inspiring environmental films, live music, and a lively Community Fair come together for a night of fun and connection!This free event celebrates community, nature, and action! Explore 20+ community booths, connect with local organizations, and ...
Where: Cost: Free
Starry Nights Star PartyJoin the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) and Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA) for an unforgettable night of exploring the night sky. Our knowledgeable docents, members of SJAA, will be your guides to providing valuable insights into the wonders of our universe. The viewing site, Rancho Canada del ...
Join us for a talk about Venezuela - a country rich in history, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Doug Garcia will give us an overview of Venezuela’s geography and its place within South America, from which we will explore the nation’s past and present. Travel from pre-Columbian times and the ...
Where: Santa CruzCost: Free
TinkerfestCelebrate the curious, creative and inventive spirit in all of us!Tinkerfest brings together makers, artists, and tinkerers to showcase their work while inviting attendees of all ages to join in DIY fun. During this two-day event, the entire Center will be filled with activities that highlight creativity and curiosity.
EV Ride and Drive Charge up your weekend and experience electric vehicles (EVs). Take EVs for a spin at Baylands Park. Explore a lineup of various electric vehicles, learn from local EV owners and experts, and discover how to save on your next car purchase. Following your test drive, complete the post-survey and receive ...
Where: SunnyvaleCost: Free
A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided WorldDon’t miss this chance to hear from Katharine Hayhoe, a leading voice on climate change today. Called “one of the nation’s most effective communicators on climate change” by The New York Times and named one of Christianity Today’s "50 Women to Watch," Katharine brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to a ...
Where: PiedmontCost: $15
Monday, 05/19/25
CITRIS Tech for Social Good Project Showcase - LivestreamThe Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at UC Santa Cruz is hosting the 2024-25 Tech for Social Good Project Showcase, a virtual event that highlights student-led technology development projects focused on promoting social good. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration.This year’s showcase ...
Where: Cost: Free
Hope Versus Hype: Quantum, AI and the Path to Commercial Advantage - POSTPONEDThe promise of quantum is real, and we are beginning to see where this technology can have the greatest impact. Decades of quantum research and development point to one primary class of practical application for quantum computing next to cryptanalysis: the simulation of quantum systems, especially for chemistry and materials ...
Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe will join Stanford Woods Institute Director Chris Field for a conversation on human and planetary health, her career as an atmospheric scientist, the importance of science communication, and why we should remain optimistic in the face of a changing climate.Katharine is an atmospheric scientist whose research ...
Achieving net zero emissions by midcentury in the US will require a daunting pace of clean and renewable energy deployment, accelerating to 6-8 times the current rate of project development and amounting to land area requirements equivalent to that of California for just onshore wind and solar development alone. Generation ...
Searching For Young Exoplanets to Understand Planet FormationSpeaker: Kendall Sullivan (UCSC)Kendall Sullivan is a postdoctoral researcher in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz.Exploring the mysteries of the insides of starsSpeaker: Loren Matilsky (UCSC)Loren Matilsky is a professional amateur theoretical astrophysicist. He really enjoys thinking about stuff ...
In a remarkable public lecture in 1920, Arthur Eddington speculated that fusion might become the ultimate long-term energy source. More than a century later, the world is approaching a milestone: generating electricity from fusion for the first time. The National Academies have recommended that “the Department of Energy and the ...
