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Topic 15: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SMART GRID: Just Add Wind?

As we consider sustainable energy sources, how do we manage their input into a smart grid? Because the wind blows at fluctuating speeds, how do we integrate its energy into our existing power grid? What is our risk for failure? Learn More

Topic 16: PULSARS: What are they good for?

When: November 18, 2010
Joanna Rankin, Professor, Department of Physics, UVM

What can pulsars tell us about an extrasolar planetary system? How do pulsars inform us about things in space never seen before? Does the study of pulsars help with our understanding of potential extraterrestrial intelligences? Learn More

Topic 17: GENOME MIXING: Who Owns our Genes? Who Manages our Food?

When: January 20, 2011
David Yandell, D.Sc. Professor Pathology and Medicine, UVM College of Medicine

Could genetic engineering of our food supply have a place in alleviating world hunger? Disease? Should one person's right to privacy about genomic information ever outweigh another person's right to access medical treatment? How do we decide whose rights will prevail? Learn More

Topic 18: DIGITAL FORENSICS: How do we manage our info? What can computers tell about us?

When: March 3, 2011
Gary Kessler, Gary Kessler Associates, Computer & Internet Security & Forensics

How do we protect ourselves on the internet? How are we moving globally and individually with the internet? Is the internet stronger or weaker in terms of its resistance to failure because of random problems or an actual attack?  Learn More

Topic 19: EMERGING CONTAMINANTS: Sex, Drugs & Vices the Affect our Waters

When: May 5, 2011
Patrick Phillips, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey, Troy, NY

Emerging contaminants are a group of compounds that have recently been identified in wastewater, streams, and ground water but are not regulated. Learn More

Topic 20: CREATIONISM IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM?

When: June 16, 2011
Nick Gotelli, Professor, Community Ecologist, Department of Biology, UVM

The principles of evolution inform much of the teaching and research in biology at the college level. However, some people are strongly opposed to the teaching of evolution in public schools. What is your take on this topic? Learn More

Topic 21: Climate Whiplash: What Happens After Global Warming?

When: September 8, 2011
Curt Stager, Professor, Paul Smith’s College

How might the current actions of human beings potentially change the fate of planet Earth? Join us in conversation with Curt Stager, Professor, Paleoecologist, Paul Smith's College, NY, as we look at the next 100,000 years of life on this great blue marble. Learn More

Topic 22: Measuring Happiness: Social Media as a Laboratory

When: November 10, 2011
Chris Danforth, Assistant Professor, Department Mathematics & Statistics and the Complex Systems Center, UVM.

Is the English language biased to encourage pro-social behavior? How can we use social media like Facebook and Twitter to measure happiness? Learn More

Topic 23: The Next Frontier: Vermont in Space!

When: January 12, 2012
Carl Brandon, Professor, Science and Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Vermont Technical College. Learn More

Topic 24: Population Boom

When: March 8, 2012
Join us in conversation with John Seager, President, Population Connection. Why is the population still growing so rapidly if the fertility rate has been declining for the past half-century?  Learn More

Topic 25: Concussions & Brain Trauma

When: September, 13 2012, 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Join Kalev Freeman, Principal Investigator, Trauma Physiology Laboratory and Director of Emergency Medicine Research UVM College of Medicine and James Slauterbeck, M.D., Associate Professor, UVM College of Medicine, Orthopedics/Sports Medicine, Fletcher Allen Hospital. Learn More

Topic 26: Race & Environmental Justice: Bridging the Gap Between Us

When: November 8, 2012, 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
How do our social connections to people different from ourselves affect our attitudes towards environmental issues? Tom Macias, Associate Professor of Sociology at UVM will lead us in conversation. Learn More

Topic 27: Scientific Construction of Race

When: January 10, 2013, 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
This evening's presentation will focus on The Anthropological & the Biological Construction of Race with Mike Lange, Asst. Professor of Anthropology at Champlain College and John Burke, Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont. LEARN MORE +

Topic 28: Lake Defenders

When: March 14, 2013, 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Movie & Panel about the stewards of the Lake. “Lake Defenders” highlights the work of citizens, scientists and nonprofit organizations that have joined together to take back Lake George from invasive species. LEARN MORE +