Science Under the Dome
Join usÌýfor ourÌýScience Under the DomeÌýmonthlyÌýlive talk series.ÌýTalks in this series are presented by graduate students and postdoc researchers at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·.
These are a part ofÌýour regular talk series. Regular ticket prices apply.
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· students are admitted FREE on THURSDAY NIGHT TALKS with valid Buff OneCard.Ìý
Upcoming Science Under the Dome Talks
FEBRUARY 20 at 7pm
Do bees really behave the way we see in the movies? Spoiler alert: not even close! In this talk, we’ll bust some of the biggest myths about bees that Hollywood loves to exaggerate—like those terrifying swarms—and get to know the real, fascinating lives of these incredible creatures. Most bees are actually solitary and non-aggressive, and even those honeybee swarms aren’t out to get you. Together, we’ll explore how bees communicate, make group decisions, and even play. By the end, you’ll see why it’s time to rethink how we view bees and learn to appreciate the vital role they play in our ecosystems.
Asia Kaiser is a Ph.D. candidate in the Resasco Lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her research focuses on insect biodiversity and urban ecology. She is interested in how human land use impacts different insect groups and, consequently, the ecosystem services they provide in coupled human-natural systems. After graduating from high school, she met a stingless bee apiarist living in a national park in Brazil, which piqued her ongoing fascination with bees!
MARCH 20 at 7pm
Join us for a captivating journey through the cosmos, where science fiction meets scientific fact. This presentation delves into the world of popular space movies, examining their scientific accuracy and impact at the box office. From the lightsaber duels in a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars to the incredible landscapes of Dune, we’ll explore the fine line between science and fiction. Discover how these films have inspired generations and shaped our understanding of the universe.
Brandon Hillard - Growing up in Pasadena, California, a city renowned for its scientific and cultural heritage, Brandon was immersed in a world of innovation and imagination. Surrounded by world-renowned research institutions like NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CalTech, and Mt. Wilson Observatory, and the heart of Hollywood, he developed a deep passion for both the cosmos and the silver screen. These early experiences, shaped by attending public lectures, visiting museums, and watching countless sci-fi films, ignited a passion for astrophysics that continues to fuel his research today. Passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe, Brandon became a Science Communicator at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles in 2018, where he still leads lectures and guides guests throughout the Observatory halls when he is in town. As a first-generation college graduate and an Afro-Latino, he has a strong call to action to inspire future generations of scientists and is dedicated to increasing accessibility to astronomy for underrepresented groups. As a Ph.D. Candidate in Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences, he has studied the evolution of stars and planets and is currently researching the impacts of informal learning environments on the development of scientists and a science-literate community. When he’s not exploring the cosmos, he enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, attending concerts and sporting events, and venturing into the majestic Rockies.
Watch this space for more compelling talks at Fiske.
Our climate is changing and we must adapt to a world that is transforming right before our eyes. Early warning signs of climate change were seen in far away places like the Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland. Now these impacts are affecting us here at home and changing the way we live our lives. Join us as we explore the local and global impacts of climate change and ways in which we can contribute to a solution.
Science and technology don’t exist in a vacuum - there are countless ways that research and innovation play a significant role in society at large. What are some of the ways in which they overlap? This seriesÌýexplores the intersection of science and society, addressing topics such as light pollution, GMOs, and mining asteroids, and the talks invite the audience to consider ways in which they have been impacted by this intersection.
From warp drives to artificial intelligence to living on Mars, this series is to explore a variety of scientific ideas that surface in science fiction books, movies, and video games. Where have popular sci-fi movies portrayed science correctly, and where has Hollywood gone off the deep end? What technologies were once ‘sci-fi’ but are now rapidly becoming a reality?Ìý