Science Café
From WikiYoungIPY-UA
The International Polar Year IPY Science Café is a series of informal, public-friendly presentations and discussions on topics from any polar discipline, including arts, lifestyle, engineering and natural sciences.
The UA IPY YRN Science Café is a place where anyone is welcome to explore and discuss the latest ideas in culture, science and technology in a casual atmosphere. Meetings take place in coffee houses, at a book store, and in the public library; and include a presentation and discussion. Science Cafés are usually attended by about 30 to 60 people from all walks of life.
To receive announcements of upcoming Science Café events, subscribe to the Science Café email list (https://lists.uaf.edu:8025/mailman/listinfo/sciencecafe-l).
See also Science Café on the UA IPY web site.
This page can be accessed as http://www.ipysciencecafe.org/
[edit] Calendar
[edit] Upcoming Events
watch this space for upcoming events...
[edit] Past Events
The Climate Summit in Bali: What is at Stake and What are the Options?
by Pia Kohler,
UAF Political Science Department
From December 3 to 14, representatives from over 180 countries will meet in Bali to negotiate an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pia Kohler will introduce some key aspects of the Kyoto Protocol and some of its successes and failures. She will then discuss the issues at play for the US and other countries in negotiating a "post-Kyoto" treaty.
When: 7 pm on Wed, December 5, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
What's behind the Northern Lights? Aurora research in Alaska
by Dirk Lummerzheim,
UAF Geophysical Institute
The lights of the aurora are the end product of a powerful interaction between the sun and Earth that attract visitors to Alaska from around the world. Dirk Lummerzheim will shed light on the early days of aurora research at UAF and on projects underway to understand this fascinating phenomenon.
When: 7 pm on Wed, November 14, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
related info: Article in the Daily News-Miner, November 12, 2007
Shooting Science Around the Poles
by James H. Barker,
Ethnographic Photographer
After spending 13 years living on the Bering Sea Coast studying the Yup'ik Eskimos, award-winning photographer James Barker went to the people of Antarctica – to document the scientists and the support staff and learn about the culture that has emerged in an area where there had been no Native population. This work has expanded to photograph work around both poles.
When: 7 pm on Wed, October 17, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
related info: Article in the Daily News-Miner, October 12, 2007
Volcanic Eruptions in Alaska: Local, Regional and Global Implications
by Jon Dehn,
Alaska Volcano Observatory
Volcanoes have had profound impacts on the environment since the Earth was young. They have also been a source of fascination and fear for human kind. We will explore how volcanoes affect the environment, globally, regionally and locally. How have volcanoes affected the development of human culture? Finally, how do we manage the effects of volcanoes today.
When: 7 pm on Wed, September 26, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
Exploring the Diversity of Marine Life in a Changing Arctic
by Rolf Gradinger,
UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
The oceans are the planet's last unexplored frontier. As part of the Census of Marine Life scientists worldwide work to quantify what is known, unknown, and what may never be known about the world's oceans. Rolf Gradinger will present an overview of recent and future research activities to assess the diversity of life in the Arctic Ocean.
When: 7 pm on Tue, July 17, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
Which Way is North in a Painting?
by Todd Sherman,
UAF Art Department
Drawing inspiration from the Alaskan landscape and its inhabitants: a slide presentation by Todd Sherman on the influences and inspirations in his artwork.
When: 7 pm on Wed, June 27, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
Searching for the Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Vegetation
by Martha Raynolds,
Alaska Geobotany Center
Satellite and other data show that the Arctic region is warming and getting greener, but this change has proved difficult to measure on the ground. Martha Raynolds will discuss what we do know and how researchers are trying to find the effects of climate change on the vegetation of the North Slope of Alaska.
When: 7 pm on Tue, May 29, 2007
Where: College Coffeehouse, 3677 College Rd., Fairbanks
Changing Glaciers, Changing Landscapes
by Sue Hazlett,
UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Melting glaciers are often pointed to as a sign of global warming. However, the picture is more complex. While many glaciers are retreating and some are disappearing, a number of glaciers in Alaska are stable or even advancing. What happens to the landscape after a glacier retreats? What kind of plants and animals move in and take up residence? How does a retreating tidewater glacier affect the ocean? Join us at the IPY Science Cafe to explore the glaciers of southeast Alaska, and find out how the changes in those glaciers have affected the lives of plants, animals, and humans that inhabit this region.
When: 7 pm on Wed, May 2, 2007
Where: Second Story Cafe, Gulliver's Books, 3525 College Rd., Fairbanks
related info: News article by Jillian Ladegard in UAF Sun Star, May 1, 2007
Adventures from Ice Camp APLIS 2007
by Jackie Richter-Menge and Bruce Elder,
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab (CRREL), Hanover, NH
Jackie Richter-Menge and Bruce Elder, just returning from a 2-week stay in an ice camp located 150 miles north of Prudhoe Bay, will discuss the research they are doing to better understand the Arctic sea ice cover and share stories of camp life.
When: 7 pm on Mon, April 16, 2007
Where: Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., 4001 Geist Road (West Valley Plaza), Fairbanks
related info: A Participant's Diary; Women on Ice Blog; 5-Minute Video
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Animals that need a cold Arctic: what is their future and how do we address it?
by Travis Booms,
UAF Biology and Wildlife Department
A discussion with a researcher grappling with these issues for one unique Arctic species, the Gyrfalcon. Presentation will engage audience members to think constructively and creatively to address global scale conservation concerns about Arctic specialists. Included in the talk will be your chance to see one of these rarely observed Arctic raptors live and up-close!
When: 7 pm on Wed, March 21, 2007
Where: Auditorium of the Noel Wien Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks
[edit] Credits
UA IPY YRN Science Café is an effort of the University of Alaska (UA) International Polar Year (IPY) Young Researchers' Network (YRN), supported by the UA IPY Steering Committee, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Center of Research Services, the Information Office of the UAF Geophysical Institute (GI) and International Arctic Research Center (IARC), and UAF University Marketing and Publications.
Events are announced in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Latitude 65, The Ester Republic, KUAC events calendar, UAF calendar, UAF weekly science calendar, to North Star Borough schools, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, through Public Service Announcements on KUAC radio and TV, flyers around town and on campus, and various mailing lists, newsletters and UAF media advisories and press releases.
Thanks to the Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., the College Coffeehouse, Gulliver's Books, and the Noel Wien Public Library for hosting IPY Science Cafés.
Also special thanks to the following volunteers: Dan Carlson, Jeremy Harbeck, Derek Mueller, Kelly Newman, and Chris Petrich prepared and moderated past Science Cafés; Valentina Radic was in charge of the PA system; Justin Oldham and Valentina Radic managed the PA system during the events; Matt Druckenmiller, Jeremy Harbeck, Thomas Larsen, Heike Merkel, Chris Petrich, Valentina Radic, and Yiming Wang took photos at the events; Adia Cotter and Yiming Wang distributed flyers. The IPY Science Café series was organized by Chris Petrich in 2007.
