Video Gallery of Past Events

2010

Creativity: Unlocking Hidden Potential"Creativity" as a human ability that can be improved is a relatively recent notion. There has been a constant evolution of the notion of creativity, what it is and what it takes to do it well. We'll explore the key contributions to this rich and important history, and how we can furthere capitalize on the potential of creative minds in the future. Richard Foster, Millbrook Management Group
Test Your Tongue: The Science of TasteA leading expert in taste and a popular food writer look at our understanding of the science of taste and the chemical underpinnings of flavors and foods. Learn about your own tastebuds by sampling miracle fruit, artichokes, fruit strips, and more! Linda Bartoshuk, University of Florida and Harold McGee, New York Times
Mr. Lincoln's Air ForceAbraham Lincoln nursed a life-long fascination with technology and during the Civil War seldom missed an opportunity to investigate new weapons, or to sponsor a useful innovation. With Lincoln's help, balloonist T.S.C. Lowe was able to create and equip the Balloon Corps, which provided improved reconnaissance for the Union Army from 1861 to 1863. This talk will explore the problems encountered in introducing a conservative military establishment to a new technology and sheds new light on an unfamiliar side of Abraham Lincoln. Tom Crouch, The Smithsonian
Public Policy in Nutrition: Where Does Science Fit In?Discover the science behind public policy in nutrition from the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to the Dietary Guidelines to green "smart" checkmarks and health claims on food packaging. How science-based are the recommendations and who makes the decisions? Joanne Lupton (IOM), Texas A&M University
The Case for PlutoDiscovered because of a mistake, Pluto was a planet that turned out not to be a planet at all, thanks to a still-disputed decision made in 2006. Join us for an engrossing tale of the ups and downs of Pluto, its strange appeal, the reasons behind its demotion, and the reasons why it should be set back in the planetary pantheon. Alan Boyle, MSNBC
Can Stem Cells Restore Vision in Retinal Degeneration?Researchers are applying stem cell transplantation to problems of photoreceptor preservation and replacement. Such an approach holds promise in the setting of disabling conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Henry Klassen, University of California, Irvine
The Butterflies of Iguaçu Falls, ArgentinaIguaçu Falls is shared by Argentina and Brazil and is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Iguaçu National Park is home to approximately 400 species of butterflies. Sit back and enjoy one of the wonders of our natural world ‘perfect’ symmetry and every color of the rainbow as we trek through the jungle and around the Falls. William Cooper, University of California, Irvine

2009

Evolution and the Future of the EarthThe Darwinian revolution began in a new understanding of how species change through time by means of natural selection, and affirms that each species, including our own, is genetically adapted in exquisite detail for life in a particular environment. The studies of adaptation through time and the diversity of the millions of other species are the core of evolutionary biology. Functional biology, including medical research, will do well to incorporate the study of biodiversity and the process of evolution that has created it. E.O. Wilson, Harvard University
When the Mountains Come to YouThe timing and movement of large rock and soil failure events can be tied to storm cycles but are also subject to other physical phenomena like storm surges, wildfires, earthquakes, and human activities that change the balance of nature. This talk explains debris flow and landslide occurrences and how to prevent them. Subjects will include La Conchita; Laguna Beach, Point Fermin, Rancho Palos Verdes and the slide masses of San Onofre State Beach. John H. Foster, California State University, Fullerton
Climate Science and the Public: Are We Getting Anywhere?In spite of clear scientific consensus by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change conclusion that the current and projected increases in average global temperature constitute “dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system”, climate change ranks low on the list of the nation’s perceived ‘big problems’ -- and naturally the Congress is reluctant. Science educators must accept that the real disconnect between science and the public can be repaired only through a revolutionary new assessment of how humans and their organizations behave when confronted with resource challenges. Donald Kennedy, Stanford University
Time's UpPseudoscientific claims link the end of a primary interval of the Mayan calendar system to a prophecy of the end of time at the Winter Solstice of 2012. This talk will detail how the 2012 beliefs have been fabricated and marketed and what the universe will really be doing on the winter solstice in 2012. Ed Krupp, Griffith Observatory
Archimedes and the Quest for the Theory of EverythingTwenty-three centuries ago Archimedes showed how complicated physical phenomena, such as his Law of Buoyancy, can arise from a few basic assumptions. His seminal work has led to attempts to explain the entire cosmos from a few elementary physical principles. This talk will trace the history of this quest for a Theory of Everything and describe some of the unexpected roadblocks it has encountered in the 21st century. Chris Rorres, Drexel University
The Great WarmingTake a journey through the world of 1,000 years ago, when the Medieval Warm Period brought bountiful crops to Europe and helped the Norse make epic North Atlantic journeys. Recent climatological research paints a very different picture for other parts of the globe, which suffered under prolonged droughts. The climatic events of ten centuries ago have important lessons for our own warming world especially here in the American West. Brian Fagan, Univeristy of California, Santa Barbara
MathemagicCan you mentally multiply enormous numbers faster than a calculator? Memorize a 100 digit number? Figure the day of the week of anyone’s birthday? These are just some of the many feats of mind that will be demonstrated at this event. Mathematics can be a difficult and perhaps puzzling subject for many. But watch in amazement as one of the world’s fastest human calculators shows his ability to turn math into magic. Arthur Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College
Redefining Science EducationInquiry-based science curricula require that students engage in active investigations coached by a teacher. The purpose is to guide students in the understanding of different scientific topics, which can result in attaining the necessary knowledge and practice of how to think like a scientist. We will examine inquiry-based science education from kindergarten through college what it should look like and why we should care. Bruce Alberts, University of California, San Francisco
How CSI Went Awry, and How to Fix ItA recent National Research Council report found systemic problems in the disciplines of forensic science and issued a call for a revolutionary transformation of the field. This presentation will discuss the problems identified in the NRC report, offering illustrations from actual criminal cases, and will assess the need for (and viability of) the NRC’s proposed path forward. William Thompson, University of California, Irvine
Whence Morality: Biology or Religion?Following the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species, many biologists and philosophers thought that morality could be explained as a consequence of biological evolution. Others considered its origin a cultural or religious phenomenon. This lecture will examine how both groups are right in some respects and both are wrong in other respects. Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine
Science of Masters and JohnsonCritically acclaimed biographer Thomas Maier offers an unprecedented look at Masters and Johnson and their pioneering work together based on laboratory observation of sexual behavior. Masters and Johnson explained the physiology of human sexual response and revolutionized treatment methods for impotency, premature ejaculation, and other “dysfunctions”—a term they coined. The talk will highlight interviews with the notoriously private William Masters and Virginia Johnson and show how this unusual team changed the way we all thought about, talked about, and engaged in sex. Thomas Maier
Physics and Baseball: An Intersection of Passions Examine the ways that a physicist analyzes the game of baseball: How does a baseball bat work? Why do aluminum bats outperform wood bats? Does corking the bat help? How much did that curveball break? Why can a curveball be hit farther than a fastball? Why are towering popups difficult to catch? Can steroid usage increase home run production? Alan Nathan, University of Illinois
Saving VeniceThe frequency and magnitude of tidal flooding of the lagoon and city of Venice have increased dramatically over the last 100 years disturbing commerce, life and seriously damaging the infrastructure of the region. Engineers are constructing a series of gates across the three inlets of the lagoon of Venice which will separate the Adriatic from the lagoon in periods of very high meteorological tides in an effort to stop all flooding. Rafael Bras, University of California, Irvine
Chemical Conversations: How Bacteria Talk to Each OtherScientists have discovered that bacteria - primitive, single-celled organisms - communicate using chemical languages to synchronize their behavior and act in unison as enormous multi-cellular organisms. This process, called quorum sensing, enables bacteria to infect and cause disease in humans. It’s an exciting story with fantastic implications. Studies on how to interfere with this chemical communication are leading to the development of new antibiotics to combat infectious bacterial diseases. Bonnie Bassler, Princeton University
Stanford Laptop OrchestraHear this unique ensemble comprised of more than 20 laptops, human performers, controllers, and custom multi-channel speaker arrays designed to provide each computer meta-instrument with its own identity and presence. The orchestra fuses a powerful sea of sound with the immediacy of human music-making, capturing the irreplaceable energy of a live ensemble performance as well as its sonic intimacy and grandeur. Ge Wang, Stanford University
Journey to PalomarMeet the filmmakers and watch clips of the award-winning PBS documentary which tells the remarkable life story of astrophysicist George Ellery Hale as he struggles both personally and professionally to build the great telescopes at the Yerkes Observatory (near Chicago), the Mount Wilson Observatory (above Los Angeles), and finally the million-pound telescope on Palomar Mountain (near San Diego), considered the “moon shot” of the 1930s and ‘40s. Robin Mason and Richard Ellis, Caltech Optical Observatories
Life as Migration: The Mesa Verde Pueblo People - Who were they, Why did they leave, Where did they go?Explore the Mesa Verde region of Colorado, first settled by a mix of immigrants and natives, and inhabited by the Pueblo people for 700 years. Learn about the migration episodes which were a constant factor in the formation of the Pueblo society, and how the final migration left the region depopulated by about A.D. 1300. Mark Varien, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Neurobotics: Where Humans and Robots ConnectDiscover the exciting new field of Neurobotics that lies at the intersection of Robotics and Neuroscience where robotic models and environments are used to understand the neuromuscular control and biomechanics of human limbs and, in parallel, robotic systems are developed to augment, replace and rehabilitate damaged sensorimotor functions. Yoky Matsuoka, University of Washington
Lightning: Fire from the SkyLightning has fascinated humankind since prehistoric man hid in caves when thunder pealed overhead. The complex physics of lightning strikes come to life from the chain of events that precipitate them to their effects on the human body and property. Stories about those who pioneered lightning research and first person accounts of incidents involving this phenomenon will be told. Various forms of lightning will be examined, as well as new developments in research, predicting strikes, and prevention. Craig Smith
Darwin’s Strange Inversion of ReasoningThis year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of his famous publication - On the Origin of Species. Darwin’s “Strange Inversion of Reasoning” is a counterintuitive idea central to both biological and computer science which states that in order to make a perfect and beautiful machine, it is not requisite to know how to make it. Daniel Dennett, Tufts University

 

2008

Back to Life: How Monterrey Bay was Restored to HealthFinally—a good news environmental story! Removing natural resources faster than they are created decays the health of ecosystems. In this way, the Monterey Bay was nearly destroyed. But over the past sixty years it has been transformed from a dumping ground for canneries to a marine life refuge where sea otters and kelp forests flourish. Learn about the elements of sustainable ecosystems through a description of how and why Monterey Bay came back to life. Stephen Palumbi, Stanford University
How Much Can you Say in 3 and a Half Minutes?Explore the nature of broadcast science journalism with Joe Palca. Since joining National Public Radio in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics—everything from biomedical research to astronomy. Learn how NPR manages to sound “authoritative” about such complex topics, despite the fact that the stories are extremely short in absolute terms. Using examples from recent pieces, we will deconstruct the way the stories were put together and examine how effective science journalists can be in educating an audience. Joe Palca, NPR
Take a Nap! Change Your LifeIt’s free, nontoxic, and has no dangerous side effects. So why do people have to be convinced to nap? Employers want to keep their workers occupied with the business of business. Parents want their children to do homework when they come home from school or play outdoors instead of “sleeping the day away.” But as the facts pile up, the case for napping becomes too compelling to dismiss. Science will give you twenty good reasons to nap! Sara Mednick, UC San Diego
New Light on the Ancient MayaDuring the past two decades, discoveries and research by archaeologists, epigraphers, art historians, and natural scientists have changed many of our ideas about the origins and nature of Maya civilization, and the probable causes of its collapse in the 9th century. Examine the profound effect of what has been learned on how we now think about the most complex New World culture. Michael Coe, Yale University
The Final Frontier - An Evening of Science HumorIn an all new program, Brian Malow spins hilarious and thought-provoking routines on evolution, our brains, relativity, Roomba, extraterrestrial life, and more. What do the frontiers of science hold? Journey from space travel to time travel, from extremophiles in the ocean depths to black holes in the far reaches of space. This program is for all audiences! Music is not just for musicians. Art is not just for artists. And science is not just for scientists. Brian Malow
The Science Behind the ShakeoutThis November, Southern Californians will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever held in America. The Great Southern California ShakeOut is based on an earthquake scenario created to identify the physical, social, and economic consequences of a major quake on the southern San Andreas fault. More than 300 contributors from geology, seismology, engineering, sociology, public health, and economics have worked together to identify the impacts of a great earthquake on our society. Lucy Jones, CalTech
Tracking the Internet into the 21st CenturyToday’s Internet resulted from research started in the 1960s. We will look back at highlights of the Internet’s history and glimpse into a future of new applications, and growth projections for the network and its users. Understand the important, unresolved issues needing attention and explore the policy issues raised by the Internet’s increasing importance in daily living, business, academia and government. And finally, imagine the possibilities! Could the Internet be extended to operate across the solar system? Vinton Cerf
Physics of SuperheroesEver wondered how strong you would have to be to “leap a tall building in a single bound?” Was it the fall or the webbing that killed Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man’s girlfriend in the classic Amazing Spider-Man #121? How does Kitty Pryde from the X-Men comics and movies use quantum mechanics to walk through walls? And who is really faster, Superman or the Flash? Join in the fun as we explore physics through comic book examples where the superheroes got their physics right! James Kakalios, University of Minnesota
How the Great Pyramid Was BuiltImagine how this wondrous structure could have been built 4,000 years ago! Using modern engineering systems and project management concepts, we’ll learn how it would have been possible to put 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite -- weighing several metric tons each -- into place and examine the ways ancient Egyptian culture affected the design, labor and construction. Craig Smith
Elixir of Life: Wine and HealthWine grapes are one of the major human food crops, and there is now overwhelming evidence that drinking wine in moderation is beneficial to human health. But why did only one particular species of Vitis become used for wine-making -- out of more than 30 existing species? The DNA sequence of a Pinot Noir variety of Vitis vinifera was published in 2007 and comparison with other varieties is underway. Will we soon be drinking genetically-engineered “designer” wines? Francisco Ayala, University of California, Irvine
How Long Will We Live?Working at the intersection of science and policy, population researchers examine the causes and impacts of population trends. Understand how the science has changed and hear about the factors and phenomena that affect mortality and other human longevity statistics. Population aging and extending the human life span can challenge public support systems. Learn how the skills of the demographer are applied to these and other important social and economic issues. John Bongaarts
Cartoon Medicine Show: Collection of the National Library of MedicineFrom the silent era to the present, motion pictures have been used to educate doctors, nurses, and the public. Enjoy a rich sampling of rarely screened animated medical cartoons from the 1920s to the 1960s, by animators obscure and well-known. Themes include dental hygiene, physical fitness, mental health, malaria, venereal disease, cancer, radiology, and sanitary food preparation. A distinguished medical historian will provide commentary. Michael Sappol, National Library of Medicine
Chaotic Elections! A Mathematician Looks at VotingVoting is a basic tool of every democracy. We vote to choose the name for a pet dog, a club treasurer, and the president of the United States. But do election outcomes really capture what the voters want? The mathematics of group decision making helps explain why people vote the way they do, how voting can lead to results that don’t reflect the true wishes of the electorate, and what could be done to improve the process. Donald Saari, University of California, Irvine
Discoveries in the Dessert: The North Kjarga Oasis SurveyEnjoy a fascinating glimpse into the largest oasis in Egypt’s western desert, containing archaeological sites dating from the prehistoric to the nineteenth century AD. As the Roman Empire's “grain basket”, the region was a crossroads for ancient trade routes and the site of interactions between Romans, Greeks, Egyptians and nomadic North African tribes. Well-preserved Roman forts, petroglyphs, and inscriptions reveal the area’s rich history. Salima Ikram, American University in Cairo
The Dynamic Genome: Unintelligent DesignTransposable elements sequences of DNA with a penchant for wandering around in plants and animals make up 50% of the human genome. Yet much remains unknown or misunderstood about them, especially how they lead to diversity by creating mutation and variation. Learn how these fascinating voyagers help turn the genome into a battleground where random changes can lead to “unintelligent”, but always interesting, design. Susan Wessler, University of Georgia
The Future of Chocolate on EarthA special treat for Valentine’s Day! Explore the science of chocolate, from the role of cocoa in protecting tropical rainforests, to its surprising potential to improve cardiovascular health. Learn how food technology manipulates cocoa to create the sensory experience of some of your favorite chocolate brands during a tasting at the dessert reception. Harold Schmitz
America's Pollinators: Give Bees a ChancePollinators help maintain healthy ecosystems and are central to terrestrial life. But their numbers are in decline. The contributions of one species alone—the honey bee—facilitate production of over 90 crops in the U.S. and amount to more than $15 billion per year. A renowned entomologist and humorist will guide us through the causes of decline, the remedies, and the rewards of the natural process of pollination. May Berenbaum, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
What is the Scientific Method?From the debates over global warming to the origin of life by intelligent design, “scientific” statements are given more credit than “non-scientific” statements. What is it that confers such power to science? Hear a riveting exploration of the issues in the context of the oldest question known to humans: How did we come to be? Steven A. Benner, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution
The Science of Saving SpeciesThe San Diego Zoo’s center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species uses the latest advances in science and technology to rescue species from the brink of extinction. Hear the dramatic story of their work to re-establish a California condor population in the remote mountains of Mexico, where these magnificent birds had been absent for over 50 years. Allison Alberts, San Diego Zoological Society

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