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Student sign-up timeline:
  • Monday, November 18 @ 3:15 – 12th Grade
  • Tuesday, November 19 @ 3:15 – 11th Grade
  • Wednesday, November 20 @ 3:15 – 10th Grade
  • Thursday, November 21 @ 3:15 – 9th Grade
  • November 21-30 – Sign-ups/changes open to all. After December 1, schedules will be frozen.

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strong>Science [clear filter]
Tuesday, January 7
 

8:55am PST

Fading Connections: The Battle Against Neurodegeneration
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
We will discuss the genetic and environmental contribution of neurodegenerative diseases.

Having taken 1 biology class is recommended but not required.
Facilitators
avatar for Kang Shen

Kang Shen

I grew up in China, received my Ph. D from Duke University and became a Stanford faculty in 2003. I am currently the director of the Stanford WuTsai Neuroscience Institute. My laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of developmental and degeneration of the nervous system.
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

Scientific Illustration & Paper Microscopes
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
In this hands-on workshop, you'll step into the role of both artist and scientist. After an introduction to the field of scientific illustration, you’ll get a crash course in botanical art — working with graphite pencils to sketch a chosen plant specimen. To capture its most intricate details, you'll use a Foldscope, a paper microscope (that you can take home after the session), to explore your plant at the microscopic level. This tool will allow you to observe elements like pollen and stomata, which you can add to your botanical composition.

Scientific illustration bridges art and science, helping to communicate and document nature's beauty and complexity. From its roots in early natural history to modern uses in conservation and education, this field brings visibility to the unseen and often unnoticed details of our world.

Foldscope is the paper microscope that began as an idea to make science more accessible. Since its invention at Stanford nearly 10 years ago, Foldscopes have reached over 2 million people and found applications in a variety of settings. Foldscope’s accessible design reminds us that scientific observation isn’t limited to professionals; it’s a universal skill rooted in curiosity and the desire to understand our world.

Participants will be able to keep their Foldscope after the session. No prerequisite skills or knowledge required to participate.
Facilitators
RK

Rebecca Konte

Graphic Designer & Artist, Foldscope Instruments
Rebecca Konte is a graphic designer and illustrator, specializing in science communication and storytelling. She is currently the Artist in Residence for the Prakash Lab at Stanford University. There, she creates visual art to share discoveries made by the lab with the scientific... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Smashing Spider Myths Through Science!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Are daddy long legs the most venomous spider? Do we eat eight spiders per year in our sleep? Have you ever seen a blue spider? Orange? What about pink? Fear and disgust towards spiders is pervasive throughout the United States. However, spiders are important for the survival of our ecosystems as well as for controlling insect populations. This session will focus on addressing common misconceptions about spiders by looking at the results of science experiments over the last 50 years. We will also discuss how people perceive spiders in other countries. In addition, I will talk about my journey into being a spider scientist and how spiders have helped me reshape what being a scientist looks like. Lastly, we will discuss how spiders benefit the environment and end with some of the coolest spider facts that you can share with your peers. Yes there will be live spiders! Yes I will leave time for questions! Let’s chat about spiders!
Facilitators
TW

Trinity Walls

University of California, Berkeley
Trinity Walls is a PhD candidate at the University of California Berkeley studying animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and arachnology. She grew up in North Carolina but has slowly made her way westward across the United States over the last 10 years. She earned her B.A. in Biology... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

AI Scholars: Project-Based Artificial Intelligence Intensive by Stanford Alumni
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA
What do self-driving cars, Alexa, iPhone's face recognition technology, and ChatGPT have in common? They are driven by modern advances in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re interested in law, healthcare, art, or economics, AI is poised to transform every discipline and industry in the future. AI is already all around us today, and by the end of the program, students will understand the underlying concepts and motivations behind technology such as computer vision, natural language processing, and neural networks.
 
In this course, we will explore the foundations of machine learning and explore different applications of machine learning models. In the first half of the course, students learn AI’s core technologies including applications, foundational concepts, and programming tools through live lectures and coding labs. Students will not only learn about different types of machine learning models but also apply those models to real data sets. In the second half of the course, students will complete an instructor-led group project applying AI to the discipline of their choice (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.), utilizing the programming skills they developed in the first half.

Please read more here!

Course Structure

Machine Learning Talks
Learn about machine learning algorithms and techniques in a uniquely interactive, engaging format, before you apply that knowledge in live coding labs.

Hands-On Python Coding
Develop valuable skills in Python, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in our hands-on coding labs, using cutting-edge research to solve real-world problems like breast cancer diagnosis, building self-driving cars, and more.

Project-Based Learning
In our AI for Social Good project, students will be able to apply their newly acquired talents in a collaborative, challenging environment, applying AI to a domain they’re passionate about (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.). Students can use these projects in their résumés and college applications.
Facilitators
JG

Jared Greene

Inspirit AI
Inspirit AI offers an interdisciplinary, project-based artificial intelligence education taught by Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League alumni and graduate students. Founded at Stanford in 2018, Inspirit offers students with diverse interests early exposure to the technical and ethical challenges... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 8:55am - Friday January 10, 2025 3:10pm PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Smashing Spider Myths Through Science!
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Are daddy long legs the most venomous spider? Do we eat eight spiders per year in our sleep? Have you ever seen a blue spider? Orange? What about pink? Fear and disgust towards spiders is pervasive throughout the United States. However, spiders are important for the survival of our ecosystems as well as for controlling insect populations. This session will focus on addressing common misconceptions about spiders by looking at the results of science experiments over the last 50 years. We will also discuss how people perceive spiders in other countries. In addition, I will talk about my journey into being a spider scientist and how spiders have helped me reshape what being a scientist looks like. Lastly, we will discuss how spiders benefit the environment and end with some of the coolest spider facts that you can share with your peers. Yes there will be live spiders! Yes I will leave time for questions! Let’s chat about spiders!
Facilitators
TW

Trinity Walls

University of California, Berkeley
Trinity Walls is a PhD candidate at the University of California Berkeley studying animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and arachnology. She grew up in North Carolina but has slowly made her way westward across the United States over the last 10 years. She earned her B.A. in Biology... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Build Your Own Radio! How Radio Engineering Shaped our Modern World
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 5G, Radar, MRI... what do they all have in common? Radio engineering!

In this 75-minute class, you'll learn how vintage radio techniques from 1906 laid the groundwork for modern chip design. Explore the science behind classic radio communication, unraveling concepts like radio encoding, Fourier transforms, and modulation techniques. Discover how people use meteor tails to send messages over radio, and try your hand at building your own AM receiver!

What's covered: maths behind radio signals, physics E&M, soldering skills, basics of analog circuit design

Ideally, students will have prior had experience soldering.
Facilitators
avatar for Sage Wu

Sage Wu

Curious Cardinals
Sage is a sophomore in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, an engineering intern at SpaceX, and Co-Lead of the Stanford Student Space Initiative's Satellites Team. She loves radio-frequency (RF) technology and how it allows humans to manipulate physics and space for a variety... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Cosmetic Chemistry: Exploring the Chemical Makeup of Your Favorite Products
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Cosmetic Chemistry focuses on the intersection between chemistry and cosmetic marketing. We explore what chemical makeups work best for certain client profiles, and uncover all the inner workings that go into creating cosmetics. Although the course is focused on uncovering the chemical background of these products, we also bring attention to the biological properties of people that the chemistry must cater to. We explore products such as shampoo, conditioner, perfume, lip balm, and so much more. Any and all chemistry backgrounds are welcome!
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

Rocking Out with Heavy Metals - The Origins of the Heaviest Metals in Our Universe
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.
Facilitators
DB

Daniel Brethauer

University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Brethauer is a 4th year graduate student at UC Berkeley in the Astronomy Department working with Raffaella Margutti and Dan Kasen. Daniel's research seeks to understand a rare astrophysical phenomena known as a kilonova, the result of the collision of a dead massive star with... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Build Your Own Radio! How Radio Engineering Shaped our Modern World
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 5G, Radar, MRI... what do they all have in common? Radio engineering!

In this 75-minute class, you'll learn how vintage radio techniques from 1906 laid the groundwork for modern chip design. Explore the science behind classic radio communication, unraveling concepts like radio encoding, Fourier transforms, and modulation techniques. Discover how people use meteor tails to send messages over radio, and try your hand at building your own AM receiver!

What's covered: maths behind radio signals, physics E&M, soldering skills, basics of analog circuit design

Ideally, students will have prior had experience soldering.
Facilitators
avatar for Sage Wu

Sage Wu

Curious Cardinals
Sage is a sophomore in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, an engineering intern at SpaceX, and Co-Lead of the Stanford Student Space Initiative's Satellites Team. She loves radio-frequency (RF) technology and how it allows humans to manipulate physics and space for a variety... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Cosmetic Chemistry: Exploring the Chemical Makeup of Your Favorite Products
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Cosmetic Chemistry focuses on the intersection between chemistry and cosmetic marketing. We explore what chemical makeups work best for certain client profiles, and uncover all the inner workings that go into creating cosmetics. Although the course is focused on uncovering the chemical background of these products, we also bring attention to the biological properties of people that the chemistry must cater to. We explore products such as shampoo, conditioner, perfume, lip balm, and so much more. Any and all chemistry backgrounds are welcome!
Facilitators
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Rocking Out with Heavy Metals - The Origins of the Heaviest Metals in Our Universe
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.
Facilitators
DB

Daniel Brethauer

University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Brethauer is a 4th year graduate student at UC Berkeley in the Astronomy Department working with Raffaella Margutti and Dan Kasen. Daniel's research seeks to understand a rare astrophysical phenomena known as a kilonova, the result of the collision of a dead massive star with... Read More →
Tuesday January 7, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block
 
Wednesday, January 8
 

8:55am PST

Precision and Performance: The Art of Convex Optimization
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Explore the world of convex optimization with a specific focus on linear programs. This session will delve into the core principles of convex optimization, emphasizing the role of linear programming as a powerful tool for solving structured problems across various fields. Through practical examples and theoretical insights, attendees will learn how linear programs are formulated, solved, and applied to optimize processes in areas such as operations research, economics, and data science. Whether you’re new to optimization or looking to deepen your expertise, this seminar offers valuable knowledge to help you leverage linear programming for impactful solutions.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Neuroscience Crash Course: How Brains Perceive and Interact with the World...and What Happens When Things Go Wrong
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Neuroscience is a relatively young field in biomedical research, but it has revolutionized our understanding of how humans and other organisms perceive and interact with the world. Additionally, neuroscience research has elucidated some of the mysteries of brain disease that have long since eluded the medical field. In this intersession course, students will take a survey of the world of neuroscience, with a focus on how the brain perceives and interacts with its environment.

The session will be divided into two parts: 1) a lecture-based survey of neuroscience that tracks the anatomy and physiology of how the brain processes visual stimuli and then plans and executes movements. The session will use the simple example of hitting a baseball to highlight the complex visual and motor computations that that the brain performs in less than a few tenths of a second. 2) The second half of the lesson will be a practical experiment where students will measure their own visual-motor reaction times and to use that data to estimate the speed at which information is processed in their brains and whether we can experimentally modulate information processing.
Facilitators
avatar for Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones

Head of Corporate Development & Partnering, Xilis
Ryan is a neuroscientist with over a decade of neuroscience research experience. Ryan received his doctoral degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine, at UCLA and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF. Ryan's research has focused primarily on how neurons process information... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Precision and Performance: The Art of Convex Optimization
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Explore the world of convex optimization with a specific focus on linear programs. This session will delve into the core principles of convex optimization, emphasizing the role of linear programming as a powerful tool for solving structured problems across various fields. Through practical examples and theoretical insights, attendees will learn how linear programs are formulated, solved, and applied to optimize processes in areas such as operations research, economics, and data science. Whether you’re new to optimization or looking to deepen your expertise, this seminar offers valuable knowledge to help you leverage linear programming for impactful solutions.
Facilitators
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Quantum Science and Technology
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
WRC
We will discuss how lasers, rather than blow stuff up, can cool atoms down to temperatures near absolute zero. At these temperatures, atoms can form macroscope waves that are the matter analog of lasers. Experiments can use these matter waves as emulators for studying quantum materials such as high-temperature superconductors. Moreover, laser-cooled atoms can serve as the key ingredient in quantum devices like sensors and computers. We'll present examples of what the new revolution in quantum science and engineering might bring.
Facilitators
BL

Ben Lev

Physics Professor at Stanford
Benjamin Lev is a Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Princeton in 1999 and his Ph.D. from Caltech in 2005, both in physics. Benjamin has received a Packard Foundation Fellowship and the Presidential Early Career... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
WRC
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

Elements and the Universe
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
WRC
Our Universe is 15 billion years old. In its early phases, it consisted of mainly hydrogen and helium, with only a small admixture of lithium. Yet today, when we look at our hand, we find it consists mainly of carbon and oxygen, a bit of hydrogen and nitrogen, plus some calcium present mainly in our bones. Those elements are crucial to the formation of life, but how and where did they form? In this lecture, presented on an introductory level, Dr. Madejski will talk about the history of elements and how they got dispersed into interstellar space via stellar explosions.
Facilitators
GM

Greg Madejski

Stanford University
My English-speaking friends know me as Greg. I was born in Poland, but my college and graduate education was in the U.S., respectively at MIT and Harvard. After spending 14 years at NASA/Goddard, I arrived in Stanford in 2000. My research interests are mainly in extragalactic high-energy... Read More →
Wednesday January 8, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
WRC
  1 Block
 
Thursday, January 9
 

8:55am PST

I'm Like'n Lichens!
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
There is an entire world of biodiversity that is hidden in all types of environments, including at The Nueva School! This is the world of lichens, which are frequently overlooked due to their small size. Lichens are unique composite organisms that appear and function as one organism, but are actually made up of multiple species of fungi, algae, and bacteria. Lichens play important roles in their ecosystems, including support for wildlife. Scientists study lichens for many reasons, including that they are bioindicators of air pollution and have antibacterial/antifungal properties.

We will take a hands-on approach to learning about lichens. The goals of this intersession are to:
- Learn what a lichen is
- Recognize lichens in the wild
- Identify some locally occurring lichens

This intersession will take place outside and in the lab. We will closely observe lichens in their natural environments on The Nueva School property. We will also work in a lab in order to catalyze chemical reactions using lichens, which is an important component of lichen identification. We will learn basic use of dichotomous keys for lichens so that when students leave the intersession, they have foundational tools and knowledge to continue identifying lichens they encounter.
Facilitators
DA

Danielle Alexandra Ward

Danielle is a PhD student in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. As someone who has always been interested in spending as much time as possible outside, she was drawn to take field based classes in college. She majored in English and ecology at a small liberal... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
  1 Block

8:55am PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Biomimicry: Learn From Nature’s 3.8 Billion Years Of Experience In Good Design
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of Life’s genius. It is a design and innovation discipline that brings together science, engineering, design and business. Organizations and change agents around the world learn from nature at multiple scales: products, packaging and materials, processes, and systems like cities. Join this session to learn about biomimicry and "Life’s Principles" — nature’s overarching strategies for good design — and start using them. The session will include a presentation and a team exercise. Teams will apply Life’s Principles to address specific challenges.
Facilitators
avatar for Zeynep Arhon

Zeynep Arhon

Certified Biomimicry Professional, Biomimicry 3.8
Zeynep Arhon is a Certified Biomimicry Professional with a background in business, specializing in account management and thought leadership at Biomimicry 3.8. She also teaches biomimicry and business courses in the Master of Science in Biomimicry program at Arizona State University... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

Insect Innovations: How Insect Adaptations Inspire Human Ingenuity
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Insect evolution offers a wealth of inspiration for human innovations. Learn how the remarkable adaptations of insects and other arthropods are influencing people in fields like medicine, engineering, and architecture. Led by Beetlelady, Dr. Stephanie Dole, this class will be an engaging tour of the amazing solutions nature has come up with and how humans can learn from them. This class will also include hands-on time with live bugs.
Facilitators
avatar for Stephanie Dole

Stephanie Dole

Beetlelady
Stephanie Dole, PhD, known as the Beetlelady, is an entomologist who captivates audiences of all ages with her enthusiasm and knowledge of insects. She brings the world of bugs to life through engaging, hands-on educational class and experiences, such as her Pop-Up Bug Museum... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Bioarchaeology: Exploring Human Remains in History
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Why are humans remains important in archaeology? How can we use the bodies of ancient people to tell us more about their lives - and how can looking at living people today help us understand the way we used to live before technologies like computers and plastic?
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

I'm Like'n Lichens!
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
There is an entire world of biodiversity that is hidden in all types of environments, including at The Nueva School! This is the world of lichens, which are frequently overlooked due to their small size. Lichens are unique composite organisms that appear and function as one organism, but are actually made up of multiple species of fungi, algae, and bacteria. Lichens play important roles in their ecosystems, including support for wildlife. Scientists study lichens for many reasons, including that they are bioindicators of air pollution and have antibacterial/antifungal properties.

We will take a hands-on approach to learning about lichens. The goals of this intersession are to:
- Learn what a lichen is
- Recognize lichens in the wild
- Identify some locally occurring lichens

This intersession will take place outside and in the lab. We will closely observe lichens in their natural environments on The Nueva School property. We will also work in a lab in order to catalyze chemical reactions using lichens, which is an important component of lichen identification. We will learn basic use of dichotomous keys for lichens so that when students leave the intersession, they have foundational tools and knowledge to continue identifying lichens they encounter.
Facilitators
DA

Danielle Alexandra Ward

Danielle is a PhD student in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. As someone who has always been interested in spending as much time as possible outside, she was drawn to take field based classes in college. She majored in English and ecology at a small liberal... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
  1 Block

10:15am PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Black Holes: Discovering the Invisible
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. They push the boundaries of our knowledge and hold many unsolved mysteries. Come learn about black holes from "small" to enormous, how we detect them, and explore the frontiers of astrophysics!
Facilitators
NA

Natasha Abrams

Graduate Student, University of California, Berkeley
Natasha Abrams is a 4th year astrophysics PhD student at UC Berkeley, searching for black holes via gravitational microlensing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Astrophysics and Physics from Harvard University in 2021. At Berkeley, she works on photometric microlensing with large... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

12:35pm PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Black Holes: Discovering the Invisible
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. They push the boundaries of our knowledge and hold many unsolved mysteries. Come learn about black holes from "small" to enormous, how we detect them, and explore the frontiers of astrophysics!
Facilitators
NA

Natasha Abrams

Graduate Student, University of California, Berkeley
Natasha Abrams is a 4th year astrophysics PhD student at UC Berkeley, searching for black holes via gravitational microlensing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Astrophysics and Physics from Harvard University in 2021. At Berkeley, she works on photometric microlensing with large... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  1 Block

1:55pm PST

The Art & Science of Pinball
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Join us for a look at the art, science, and technology behind pinball. In this session we’ll look at the evolution of pinball, from the early mechanical games to today’s technological marvels. Learn how artists, designers, and engineers collaborate to create a game, and what pinball can tell us about history and culture.

We’ll spend half of this session examining a pinball machine and its components, discussing why pinball was illegal in many states, and how changes in technology and culture can be observed in the design of a pinball machine. In the other half of the session, we’ll be playing pinball machines from different eras to see how the game has changed over time. We’ll also cover some basic pinball strategies you can use to improve your skills!
Facilitators
avatar for Pacific Pinball Museum

Pacific Pinball Museum

Located in Alameda, California, Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring an interest in science, art, and history through pinball. Visitors to our museum can experience the fascinating stories behind this classic pastime, learn about the... Read More →
Thursday January 9, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
Friday, January 10
 

8:55am PST

History of Scientific Racism & Eugenics
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA
The way we view science and the past has been strongly informed by scientific research that did not have good intentions, and did not view humans across the globe as equals. In the past 15 years, archaeologists and museum researchers have been trying to identify how ideas of inequality and superiority have affected our understanding of the past, using archaeology as a tool of empire and European supremacy. This session covers how European researchers used their colonial view of their own high intelligence to build up a scientific practice that reinforced their role as “objective”, and how that view permeates science today, including AI and data science. The session aims to deconstruct some of the myths of science as fully objective, identify ways to break down these concepts, and figure out how science can move forward with inclusive research. We will discuss archaeological theories and developments that led to our current understanding of non-objectivity and decolonising praxis.

Key questions: What role did scientists’ belief in their objectivity influence the kinds of research they practiced? How can we practice science today without falling into the same traps?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be discussing facets of science that can be uncomfortable in the interest of learning and understanding.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 10:10am PST
TBA

8:55am PST

FMRI, Virtual Reality, and the Brain
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA
How does the brain, a three-pound organ, give rise to all of the thoughts and feelings we experience everyday? How can new technologies such as virtual reality contribute to our understanding of the brain and human behavior?

This course will be an introduction to novel methods that scientists are using to learn about human cognition, emotion, and motivation. We begin the session by examining the the structure and function of the brain, and how scientists use neuroimaging to gain insight into the biological basis of behavior. We will then explore current methods like immersive virtual reality (VR), psychophysiological methods, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI). We will conclude with a discussion about how to apply these new methods to open questions in psychology and neuroscience, as well as some crucial ethical considerations that arise when utilizing such approaches.
Facilitators
TS

Tara Srirangarajan

Stanford University
Tara Srirangarajan is a Psychology PhD candidate and NSF graduate research fellow at Stanford University. Before coming to Stanford, she completed her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University. Tara's research interests lie at the intersection of affective neuroscience... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 8:55am - 11:30am PST
TBA

10:15am PST

Bioarchaeology of Sex & Gender
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA
We now know that sex and gender are an interrelated spectrum. These are reflected in the way archaeologists view skeletons, and helps to problematise our view of sex and gender concepts and roles in ancient societies. This session will teach methods used to perform scientific sex assessments and the ways we use that and other archaeological indicators to suggest gender. From there, we will discuss and problematise the ways that sex and gender have been discussed in archaeology, and how that has impacted the public understanding of ancient societies.

Key questions: Were women always confined to domestic spaces? Were men always hunters? Is there archaeological evidence for trans, non-binary, and other gender identities across the ancient world? How have researchers misidentified sex and gender of archaeological individuals, and how does this change our understanding of their identities and societies?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.
In this session, we will be viewing images of ancient human remains.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Animal Behavior for Conservationists
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
Understanding animal behavior is a fascinating challenge. Wild animals migrate vast distances, maintain complex social relationships, and solve novel problems in their environment. These behaviors aren't just scientifically interesting - they might have important consequences for environmental conservation. If we want to save endangered species and preserve the world's biodiversity, we need to understand things like: how do primates change their behavior in response to deforestation? How does noise pollution affect the social relationships of whales? How are bird migrations adjusting to climate change, and how can we mitigate the effects?

This presentation starts by looking at the science of animal behavior and its relevance to conservation. We then discuss one scientist's work on primate behavior in a threatened region of Amazon rainforest, and its implications for rainforest regeneration.
Facilitators
avatar for Gustav Steinhardt

Gustav Steinhardt

Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. R. Gustav Steinhardt is a Lecturer UC-Berkeley and an Associate Research Scientist with Field Projects International. He has worked at a biological field station in the Peruvian Amazon since 2017, studying how wild primates behave and how we can use that information to assist... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

History of Scientific Racism & Eugenics
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA
The way we view science and the past has been strongly informed by scientific research that did not have good intentions, and did not view humans across the globe as equals. In the past 15 years, archaeologists and museum researchers have been trying to identify how ideas of inequality and superiority have affected our understanding of the past, using archaeology as a tool of empire and European supremacy. This session covers how European researchers used their colonial view of their own high intelligence to build up a scientific practice that reinforced their role as “objective”, and how that view permeates science today, including AI and data science. The session aims to deconstruct some of the myths of science as fully objective, identify ways to break down these concepts, and figure out how science can move forward with inclusive research. We will discuss archaeological theories and developments that led to our current understanding of non-objectivity and decolonising praxis.

Key questions: What role did scientists’ belief in their objectivity influence the kinds of research they practiced? How can we practice science today without falling into the same traps?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be discussing facets of science that can be uncomfortable in the interest of learning and understanding.



Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 1:50pm PST
TBA

12:35pm PST

Atomically Thin Crystals: A New Twist on Quantum Materials
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
In recent years, methods have been developed to peel atomically thin layers from bulk crystals simply using Scotch tape. By restacking them on top of each other, sometimes with an interlayer twist, it is possible to engineer new quantum materials that would not otherwise occur in nature. In many such systems, the electrons act collectively, leading to superconductivity, magnetism, and other exotic behavior which may have technological applications. In this session, we will present an overview of the broader field of these “two-dimensional” materials. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in related hands-on activities, including making their own two-dimensional flakes and seeing them in a microscope.
Facilitators
BF

Ben Feldman

Stanford University
Ben Feldman is an Assistant Professor at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Haverford College, his PhD from Harvard University, and spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University. His research interests include study of electronic properties... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 12:35pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
  2 Blocks

1:55pm PST

Animal Behavior for Conservationists
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Understanding animal behavior is a fascinating challenge. Wild animals migrate vast distances, maintain complex social relationships, and solve novel problems in their environment. These behaviors aren't just scientifically interesting - they might have important consequences for environmental conservation. If we want to save endangered species and preserve the world's biodiversity, we need to understand things like: how do primates change their behavior in response to deforestation? How does noise pollution affect the social relationships of whales? How are bird migrations adjusting to climate change, and how can we mitigate the effects?

This presentation starts by looking at the science of animal behavior and its relevance to conservation. We then discuss one scientist's work on primate behavior in a threatened region of Amazon rainforest, and its implications for rainforest regeneration.
Facilitators
avatar for Gustav Steinhardt

Gustav Steinhardt

Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. R. Gustav Steinhardt is a Lecturer UC-Berkeley and an Associate Research Scientist with Field Projects International. He has worked at a biological field station in the Peruvian Amazon since 2017, studying how wild primates behave and how we can use that information to assist... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Bioarchaeology of Sex & Gender
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
We now know that sex and gender are an interrelated spectrum. These are reflected in the way archaeologists view skeletons, and helps to problematise our view of sex and gender concepts and roles in ancient societies. This session will teach methods used to perform scientific sex assessments and the ways we use that and other archaeological indicators to suggest gender. From there, we will discuss and problematise the ways that sex and gender have been discussed in archaeology, and how that has impacted the public understanding of ancient societies.

Key questions: Were women always confined to domestic spaces? Were men always hunters? Is there archaeological evidence for trans, non-binary, and other gender identities across the ancient world? How have researchers misidentified sex and gender of archaeological individuals, and how does this change our understanding of their identities and societies?

Part of a series: “Ethical issues in archaeology." Students are invited to attend one or more sessions in this series by Stacy.

In this session, we will be viewing images of ancient human remains.
Facilitators
avatar for Stacy Hackner

Stacy Hackner

Dr Stacy Hackner is an interdisciplinary researcher who has worked with human remains in the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the UCL Pathology Museum, among others. Her work broadly covers feminist and decolonial archaeology, the role of women in society, and lower leg biomechanics... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

Let’s Go Flying - How to Fly from San Carlos to Truckee!
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
You’ve probably been on an airplane, but have you thought of what it takes to fly one?  In this Intersession, we’ll follow along on a flight from the San Carlos Airport to Truckee, and learn about all aspects of how to get a small (6-seater) airplane safely between two airports.

Coming out of the session, you should be able to answer questions such as “How do you plan for a flight between two airports?”,  “How does an airplane actually work and how do you control it?”, “What are  communications with Air Traffic Control like?”, “What do airplane avionics and navigation systems like?”.  And hopefully you’ll be interested in the answer to “How do I learn to actually fly an airplane?”!
Facilitators
AK

Andres Kohn

I have been a Private Pilot since 1995, and have flown to over 60 airports in California alone.  I fly for fun, but also for numerous volunteer organizations including Angel Flight West, Flying Samaritans, Pilots & Paws and Amelia Air.  You’ll normally find me behind the wheel... Read More →
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA

1:55pm PST

More Than a Habit: The Science of BFRBs
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) can impact up to 5% of the population, but they can often be dismissed as bad habits. However, BFRBs are actual disorders and much harder to treat due to changes in brain anatomy and external stressors. These disorders, in which a person uncontrollably fidgets with his or her body, can be both physically and emotionally damaging. In this activity, the physiology, development, and consequences of BFRBs are discussed as well as ways to cope and support yourself and loved ones.
Facilitators
Friday January 10, 2025 1:55pm - 3:10pm PST
TBA
 
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