Past Events
The Amazing Central Region of the Milky Way
Did you know that the Earth and Sun orbit the center of the Milky Way galaxy every 200 million years? While astronomers know quite a bit about what is going on near the Sun, for years they have been literally in the dark about this galactic center we orbit.
Now, because of newly developed telescopes, we can see right into the center of the galaxy! All sorts of amazing astrophysical phenomena is there — huge dense gas clouds, exploding stars, and if that wasn’t enough, there’s the supermassive black hole right in the middle of it all. Join Doug Roberts from the Adler Planetarium to learn more about this amazing galactic center than astronomers ever thought existed — it’ll knock your socks off!
Junior Science Cafe events are free and open to teens, their families and teachers. Pizza will be served.
Using ESP to Talk with Molecules
What’s this about being able to talk to molecules?!
If you knew your favorite molecule had a voice, wouldn't you want to know what it had to say? Learn how to engage in conversations with chemicals to figure out what are they made of, how and why they move, and other aspects of their existence. Let’s use all of our senses to experience some molecules, and discuss how we use technology to give us extrasensory perception (ESP) with Josh Kurutz, senior research associate in Northwestern's Department of Chemistry.
We'll also explore philosophical relationships between technology, knowledge, and limits on humans' capacity to know.
Junior Science Cafes are free and open to teens, their families and teachers. Snacks will be served.
The Design of Everyday Things
Everything you use is designed by someone. When it is done well, it gives pleasure. When done badly, it causes grief, frustration and anger. Worse, it can lead to error, to accidents, and to severe cost in dollars or lives. What is the role that designers play in making sure that the stuff we use is effective, functional, usable, and pleasurable?
And while we are at it, let’s critique those horrible designs that cause so much trouble! The bottom line is that when you have trouble working something, it isn’t your fault: it is the fault of the design.
Science Cafe Evanston is an informal event where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. This month's event features Don Norman, design expert and co-director of MMM program, Northwestern's dual degree MBA + engineering program that emphasizes design and operations.
Water: The New Oil?
As the demand for fresh water increases, we can no longer think of this natural resource as having an endless supply. Finding safe and environmentally sound ways to reuse our water is becoming an issue of international concern. Join Debra Shore, commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and C²ST in a frank discussion about Chicagoland’s most precious liquid asset. A reception begins at 5:00 pm, followed by the presentation at 6:00 pm.
This program is FREE for members and $15 for all others on a first come basis. Visit C²ST's website to register and for more information.
From Reading to Writing Life Code
Just as the digital revolution upended industries and changed which countries were rich or poor, the life sciences revolution will create waves across food, feed, textiles, pharma, biotech, energy, IT and other fields. A powerful driver of this trend is our growing ability not just to read genomes– an organism’s complete set of genetic information– but to write out stretches of this “life code” and use it to reprogram cells to perform new and valuable functions. Could these reprogrammed cells be used to produce clean energy? Or even medicine?
Join us as Juan Enriquez, managing director of Excel Venture Management and accomplished writer, businessman, and academic, explores what is possible using this new technology, and how it stands to revolutionize our lives.
Free and open to the public. No tickets required. For more information call 312-503-5600 or visit the CGM website. Funding for the Silverstein Lecture Series is provided by the Herman M. and Bea L. Silverstein Medical Research Fund for Genetic Medicine. Co-sponsored with funding from the NIGMS Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity and the CLIMB Program.
Climate Change Symposium
Join us for One Book One Northwestern's day-long Climate Change Symposium, featuring experts from Northwestern and across the US.
Talks include "Global Climate Change: A Paleoclimate Perspective from the World's Highest Mountains" presented by Lonnie Thompson, Ohio State University; "International Negotiations and the Road to Copenhagen," presented by Michele Betsill, Colorado State University; and "Responses to Climate Change Policy: A Reality Check on Alternative Energy," presented by Liz Moyer, University of Chicago. Click here to view the full schedule.
This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Initiative for Energy and Sustainability at Northwestern, the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and the Program in Environmental Policy and Culture, all Northwestern University.
From Reading to Writing Life Code
Just as the digital revolution upended industries and changed which countries were rich or poor, the life sciences revolution will create waves across food, feed, textiles, pharma, biotech, energy, IT and other fields. A powerful driver of this trend is our growing ability not just to read genomes– an organism’s complete set of genetic information– but to write out stretches of this “life code” and use it to reprogram cells to perform new and valuable functions. Could these reprogrammed cells be used to produce clean energy? Or even medicine?
Join us as Juan Enriquez, managing director of Excel Venture Management and accomplished writer, businessman, and academic, explores what is possible using this new technology, and how it stands to revolutionize our lives.
Free and open to the public. No tickets required. For more information call 312-503-5600 or visit the CGM website. Funding for the Silverstein Lecture Series is provided by the Herman M. and Bea L. Silverstein Medical Research Fund for Genetic Medicine. Co-sponsored with funding from the NIGMS Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity and the CLIMB Program.
Climate Change Politics: Connecting the Dots
Eat, drink and talk science at a special One Book One Northwestern Science Cafe!
Monica Prasad, professor of sociology, will present, "Climate Change Politics: Connecting the Dots," followed by group discussion. A special cafe menu will be offered for purchasing dinner. Free admission; open to the public.
Improving Precision: Advances in Vascular Surgery
Mini-Med School is a biannual lecture series that meets once a week for four weeks. The lectures, taught by Northwestern Memorial medical experts, provide information on subjects studied by medical students.
Participants do not need a science background to attend, just a curiosity about medicine and the desire to learn about the latest medical treatments. We encourage you to join us in unlocking the mysteries of the human body through our interactive Mini-Med School classes.
Registration and refreshments begin at 5:00 pm. Lectures are from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
Mini-Med School sessions are $12 each or $40 for the series. For more information or to register, please call 312-926-8400.
Improving Precision: Advances in Vascular Surgery
Mini-Med School is a biannual lecture series that meets once a week for four weeks. The lectures, taught by Northwestern Memorial medical experts, provide information on subjects studied by medical students.
Participants do not need a science background to attend, just a curiosity about medicine and the desire to learn about the latest medical treatments. We encourage you to join us in unlocking the mysteries of the human body through our interactive Mini-Med School classes.
Registration and refreshments begin at 5:00 pm. Lectures are from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
Mini-Med School sessions are $12 each or $40 for the series. For more information or to register, please call 312-926-8400.
