Events of Interest—December 2008

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Note: Some events may require advance reservation, admission fees and/or a minimum age (for example, for events where alcohol is served).

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NSWA Presents: Sea of Science

January 22, 2009, 7-10 p.m.
Seattle Aquarium
Click for Details

Featured Events in December

NSWA Board Meeting

Monday, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.: NSWA monthly board meeting. Contact Michael Bradbury at mikeb@seanet.com to RSVP and get the time and venue.

NSWA Freelance Friday Happy Hour

Contact Lisa Farino at LisaFarino@gmail.com about the next freelance happy hour. You don’t need to be a freelancer to attend. Everyone is welcome.

Join NSWA

As an NSWA member, you get discounts on some of our events, inside information on job openings and other opportunities, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting the Pacific Northwest’s community of science communicators. Annual dues are just $20.

For information or to join, visit our Join page.

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Saturday, Dec 6, 2 p.m.
Dan Hagedorn, senior curator of the Museum of Flight, discusses Conquistadors of the Sky. The book is a primer on Latin America’s contribution to aviation history. Venue: Museum of Flight, William M. Allen Theater.
Information: http://www.museumofflight.org

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 12:30 p.m.
François Baneyx, director of the UW’s Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotechnology User Facility (NTUF), discusses the many improvements to the NTUF. Venue: UW Bagley Hall, Room 260.
Information: http://www.nano.washington.edu/seminars/seminars.asp

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.:
Sonia Faleiro and Nalini Jones discuss AIDS Sutra: Untold Stories from India. In this anthology, 16 writers tell the story of the AIDS crisis, illuminating the complex nature of one of the major problems facing the developing world. Venue: UW Foege Auditorium, Genome Science Building.
Information: http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.:
Join the Seattle chapter of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) for a discussion entitled “Multiple Sclerosis: Learn the Facts. Be Informed. Be Amazed.” Bobbie Severson, a nurse at Evergreen Medical Center, presents the facts about multiple sclerosis. Join AWIS at the event. Venue: UW South Lake Union Building.
Information: http://www.seattleawis.org/events.htm

Thursday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m.:
The Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle and online news outlet Xconomy present “Vaccines 2.0.” Why do many venture capitalists and philanthropists consider now the best time in history to invest in vaccines? What has changed in biology that is paving the way for a new breed of immunizations? How big is the opportunity for business and human health? Venue: Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle.
Information and registration or e-mail Luke Timmerman at ltimmerman@xconomy.com

Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30 a.m.:
Nate Mantua from the UW’s Climate Impacts Group discusses projected global and Pacific Northwest climate change as part of the Washington Technology Alliance’s Science and Technology Discovery Series. Venue: Rainier Club.
Information and registration: http://www.technology-alliance.com/strt/strt.html

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.:
Kumar G. Bhatia, a senior technical fellow for The Boeing Co., discusses “A Perspective on Optimization” in an event presented by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Bhatia presents insights on the role of optimization in the design process. Venue: Museum of Flight, William M Allen Theater.
Information: http://www.museumofflight.org

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.:
The Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum presents a free showing of the weirdest Christmas movie ever made: “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” Free reservations available by calling 206-770-2702. Venue: JBL Theater at the Experience Music Project.
Information: http://www.empsfm.org

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m.:
Join the UW Department of Bioethics & Humanities and the UWMC Ethics Advisory Committee for a free discussion on the “dual use” dilemma in life science research. Since the anthrax attacks of autumn 2001, the potential for dangerous misuse of life science research by individuals intent on bioterrorism, the so-called “dual use” dilemma, has prompted calls for greater oversight of research and publication. Recent cases that have drawn scrutiny include the synthesis of poliovirus and reconstruction of the 1918 flu virus. Are there kinds of biomedical research that should not be pursued? How should we address the inadvertent discovery or creation of increased virulence in the clinical laboratory? What are the ethical and professional responsibilities of scientists engaged in research with dual-use implications? Venue: UW Plaza Café Conference Room B.
Information: E-mail bhinfo@u.washington.edu

Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m.:
Celebrate the Wright brothers’ first flight along with the spirit of the holiday season. Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m., and then he and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Museum of Flight’s Great Gallery until 2 p.m. Performances include the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir, which will play traditional and contemporary holiday melodies at 11 a.m., and the Boeing Employees’ Orchestra of Flight at noon. Venue: Museum of Flight.
Information: http://www.museumofflight.org

Friday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 4:
Pacific Science Center presents “Science Extravaganza,” a 10-day event that celebrates the top-notch science programs and activities that Pacific Science Center offers. Visitors can expect Discovery Cart activities, craft programs, laser shows, science workshops for families, planetarium shows and more. Venue: Pacific Science Center. Venue: Pacific Science Center.
Information: http://www.pacsci.org

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.:
Pacific Science Center hosts a “New Year’s Eve Sleepover” for children grades 2-8. Children will be captivated by fiery hydrogen balloon explosions, enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make their own noisemakers and more. When the clock strikes midnight and the sky is ablaze with the Space Needle fireworks show, kids will be safe and secure with the best view in town. Drop off: 7 p.m on New Year’s Eve. Pick up at 9 a.m. Member cost: $90; Non-member cost: $110. Venue: Pacific Science Center.
Information: http://www.pacsci.org/sleepover

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m.:
Jay Spenser discusses his new book on aviation history, The Airplane: How Ideas Gave Us Wings. Venue: University Book Store in the U District.
Information: http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m.:
William Hanson discusses “The Edge of Medicine.” What if cancer could be diagnosed by just smelling it? Hanson, director of Surgical Intensive Care at University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, describes how medical technology has the potential to change-and save-lives. He offers intimate true-life accounts illustrating the cutting edge of biotechnology-including computer health wizards which will advise and prescribe on home computers, wheelchairs operated by reading electrical brain waves, and the future of surgical robotics. Presented as part of the Future of Health Lectures with Kim Ricketts Book Events, Bastyr University, and PCC Natural Markets. Venue: Town Hall Seattle.
Information: http://www.townhallseattle.org

Monday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.:
(EVENT SOLD OUT) Michael Pollan discusses In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, in which he says simply: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Pollan connects everyday experiences such as eating and gardening with the natural world with which they are interlinked. Most recently known for assailing the conventional American food supply system, urging us to plant vegetable gardens to reduce our carbon footprints, and calling into question the collective nutritional advice of the entire 20th century, Pollan has revolutionized the way we think about food, urging us to eat locally and sustainably. The event is part of the Seattle Arts & Lecture series. Venue: Benaroya Hall.
Information: http://www.lectures.org/pollan.html

Monday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.:
Steven Johnson discusses his new book, The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution and the Birth of America. Sponsored by Town Hall Seattle and University Book Store. Venue: Town Hall Seattle, Downstairs. Tickets are $5.
Information: http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m.:
Dava Sobel, author of Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter and The Planets, talks about Galileo, the telescope and the International Year of Astronomy. Presented as part of the University of Washington’s Jessie and John Danz Lecture Series. Venue: UW Kane Hall, Room 130.
Information: http://www.grad.washington.edu/lectures

REMINDERS:
Mentors are needed to advise high school students in the winter for their Student Biotech Expo projects. The expo is on Wednesday, May 29, 2009.
For more information, visit http://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/advisors/advisor_info.htm

Additions? Corrections? Write calendar@nwscience.org.