Moon Base Meeting
2025-02-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-17 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Moon base

Mathematics Club
2025-02-27 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-06 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-13 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-20 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Maths Club

Harnessing Large Language Models (LLMs) in Digital Medicine
2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
The rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) has opened exciting possibilities for enhancing and automating tasks in the medical field. In this presentation, I will explore how these models can be applied to a range of medical tasks, such as extracting key insights from medical records, supporting clinical decision-making, personalizing treatment, and improving patient engagement. I will also provide an overview of the engineering approaches, such as prompt design and fine-tuning, that enable LLMs to be tailored for specific medical applications. Finally, I will examine the challenges of deploying these models in real-world healthcare settings, including ethical considerations, reliability, and regulatory concerns. As LLMs become increasingly integrated into medical practice, this talk aims to offer valuable insights into how they can be leveraged effectively and responsibly to improve healthcare outcomes.

Presented by Karthik Prathaban

Classical Concert
2025-03-02 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-03-09 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-03-16 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-03-23 07:00 - 08:00, 2025-04-06 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Misinformation About Science
2025-03-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
The information for this session is derived from “Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science,” (summary press release) which is a long report of the US National Academy of Sciences published in late 2024. It discusses sources and impacts of misinformation, what promotes its spread, and who is most likely to believe it and why. The report also makes a number of recommendations for addressing this problem at several different levels.

Presented by Alice Krueger / Gentle Heron in SL

Pi-Bonding: a Chemist's view of Pi Day
2025-03-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
March 14 is pi day, i.e. 3/14. But to a chemist, a particular geometry of bonding comes to mind when we hear the word “pi”. Pi-bonding refers to a “sideways” sharing of electrons, and it leads to important modes of reactivity in organic synthesis, in biochemistry, industrial chemistry and nanotechnology. We’ll talk about the basics of bonding, how pi-bonding leads to representations of electron-dolecalization in organic molecules, which types of atoms participate in pi-bonding, and applications. In the spirit of the day, this talk is brought to you by the letter pi and the number pi.

Presented by Dr. Michael J. Shaw (he/him)

Open Forum and Programming Feedback
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium

VWBPE SC Moon Base Immersive Experience
2025-03-24 08:00 - 13:00 | Moon base
VWBPE Immersive Experience
March 24 and 31 @ 8am-1pm PDT
Step into the role of an astronaut preparing for a lunar mission with this immersive virtual experience. Starting on Earth, you’ll plan the essentials: how to breathe, maintain warmth, hydrate, eat, sleep, manage waste, work, and maintain mental health in the harsh environment of the Moon. Your journey continues as you are docked at a space station, learning the intricacies of living in space before piloting your craft to the Moon’s surface. Once there, explore virtual Moon bases, interact with objects, and navigate through challenges using visual, aural, and textual cues.
Complementing this experience, The Science Circle hosts a Roundtable Discussion [April 4 @10am PDT] to deepen your understanding and enhance the learning experience. This session offers a unique opportunity to engage with space exploration in a deeply interactive setting.
Getting Immersed at VWBPE25!

Mathematics Club
2025-03-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Maths Club
Love numbers? Crave a challenge? Join The Science Circle’s Maths Club—where curious minds solve puzzles, explore theories, and make math fun! Dive in today!

SC Moon Base Project Immersive Experience
2025-03-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base
SC Moon Base Project Immersive Experience

The SC Moon Base Project and Math Club grew out of an internal challenge towards the end of 2023 as The Science Circle was coming up on its 15th Anniversary. The challenge was to do something more than just have a party to celebrate, rather to demonstrate through example how The Science Circle had persisted for 15 years through developing a project or class or both.
Interest in the Moon had waned for decades as spacefaring nations concentrated on what humans could learn about the Earth from the International Space Station, which was celebrating its 25th Anniversary that year, and from robotic craft that explored the solar system and beyond. Since about the time that The Science Circle was established, there has been increasing interest in the Moon for a number of reasons, with a variety of lunar missions as a consequence. However, a crewed mission still seems to be slightly out of reach, despite the success of the initial manned landings of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
A diverse set of members of The Science Circle took up the anniversary challenge and formed the SC Moon Base Project, meeting every Monday for the past two years now to discuss what a sustainable Moon Base in which residents could live and work might look like and how it would operate. The group has tackled every issue they could think of or discover through research, with no subject out of bounds. The more we have discussed, the more questions have presented themselves, many of which may not have been thought of before, and the more fascinating the subject has become.
Last Fall, members of the SC Moon Base Project group decided it was time to share what we had discussed and our visualization of part of that in several virtual Moon Base versions, with members of The Science Circle and the public through participation in the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Conference this year. We submitted proposals for two types of events and both were accepted – an educational Immersive Experience where we could share our Moon Base visualizations and what we have learned about its design and operation, and a Roundtable event during which we will share how our peer-to-peer education experiment has been successful, as well as hear from conference participants about their own experiences with this educational format in virtual worlds.
Join us this Saturday for the background and thought behind the SC Moon Base Project and then join us in an Immersive Experience outside of the VWBPE conference event schedule.

Classical Concert
2025-03-30 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
Craving a Sunday escape?
Join The Science Circle’s weekly classical concerts, led by Ael—sip coffee, savor music, and spark lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts.
See you there!

VWBPE SC Moon Base Immersive Experience
2025-03-31 08:00 - 13:00 | Moon base
VWBPE Immersive Experience
March 24 and 31 @ 8am-1pm PDT
Location The Science Circle
Step into the role of an astronaut preparing for a lunar mission with this immersive virtual experience. Starting on Earth, you’ll plan the essentials: how to breathe, maintain warmth, hydrate, eat, sleep, manage waste, work, and maintain mental health in the harsh environment of the Moon. Your journey continues as you are docked at a space station, learning the intricacies of living in space before piloting your craft to the Moon’s surface. Once there, explore virtual Moon bases, interact with objects, and navigate through challenges using visual, aural, and textual cues.
Complementing this experience, The Science Circle hosts a Roundtable Discussion [April 4 @10am PDT] to deepen your understanding and enhance the learning experience. This session offers a unique opportunity to engage with space exploration in a deeply interactive setting.
Getting Immersed at VWBPE25!

Please Attend and Support Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education: Transitions
2025-04-03 - 2025-04-05
Join The Science Circle at the VWBPE Conference 2025!
The Science Circle is proud to support the annual Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Conference, a vibrant gathering of educators, innovators, and virtual world enthusiasts. This year, we’re excited to participate with two immersive experiences and a special roundtable discussion titled “Confronting the Unknown: The SC Moon Base Project” on April 4 at 10 AM PDT. Dive into the future of our Moon Base Project and explore how we’re pushing the boundaries of virtual learning and discovery!
In addition to our own events, we warmly encourage our community to explore the incredible lineup of activities at VWBPE. Below, we’ve highlighted some standout sessions that align with our mission of lifelong learning, innovation, and exploration. Mark your calendars and join us in Second Life for these enriching experiences!

The Science Circle at VWBPE: Our Featured Event
“Confronting the Unknown: The SC Moon Base Project”
When: April 4, 10 AM PDT
What: A roundtable discussion about our ambitious Moon Base Project, where we’ll tackle the challenges and possibilities of creating a virtual lunar outpost.
Why: Learn how this project bridges science, education, and imagination in an immersive environment.
Location Badlands Wild

Must-Visit VWBPE Events
Here’s a curated list of sessions we recommend—featuring some of our very own Science Circle professors alongside other inspiring presenters:

April 3, 3 PM PDT
“Speed Build Workshop: Basics of HUDs for Educators”
Presenter: Helena Kiama
What: Learn to create a classroom HUD using prims—add scripts, images, and link them together. Perfect for educators looking to enhance virtual teaching tools!
Location: VWBPE Game Preserve

April 4, 2 PM PDT
“Above the Book: Catching Up with the Lindens”
Presenter: Phelan Corrimal (Kevin Feenan) with Grumpity Linden
What: Get the latest updates on Second Life features impacting education.
Location: VWBPEivitisRainbow Basin

April 4, 3 PM PDT
“Transformative Learning in the Mindspace”
Presenter: Lyr Lobo (Cynthia Calongne) (SC Professor)
What: Discover best practices from 62 virtual world university classes and the Ramapo Project with 800 middle schoolers.
Location: VWBPE Desert Hinterlands

April 5, 5 PM PDT
“Nature Walk with Delia Lake”
Presenter: Delia Lake (SC Professor)
What: A reflective walk along the shore, exploring the transition between sea and land.
Location: VWBPE Wetlands Marsh

April 5, 8 AM PDT
“AI, Metaliteracy, and Digital Citizenship”
Presenter: Valibrarian Gregg (Valerie Hill)
What: Explore how AI shapes metaliteracy and responsible digital citizenship with a 3D model experience.
Location: VWBPE Tundra Expanse

April 5, 10 AM PDT
“Lifelong Learning Roundtable”
Presenter: Lissena (Lynne Berrett) (SC Professor) with panelists
What: Discuss lifelong learning opportunities in Second Life and network with educators.
Location: VWBPE Desert Hinterlands

April 5, 3 PM PDT
“Best Face Forward: A Transition from Here to There”
Presenter: Kip Roffo (Steven R. Van Hook) (SC Professor)
What: Navigate the challenges of transitioning from traditional to innovative education.
Location: VWBPE Tundra Expanse

Why Attend?
The VWBPE Conference offers a unique opportunity to connect with a global community of learners and creators. Whether you’re passionate about education, technology, or the natural world, there’s something for everyone. Join us to experience cutting-edge ideas, network with like-minded individuals, and celebrate the power of virtual worlds!
Stay tuned for more updates, and we’ll see you in Second Life!

VWBPE SC Moon Base Roundtable Discussion
2025-04-04 10:00 - 11:00
Confronting the Unknown: The SC Moon Base Project
Presenter: Vic Michalak (RL: Phil Youngblood, PhD, The Science Circle Foundation)
Discussants:
Sumo Itano (RL: Natalie Foster, PhD)
Syzygy Asymptote (RL: William Wall, PhD)
Tagline (RL: Robert Hendrix, MD)
Operative Phoenix (RL: Tomomi Ishihara)
Location Badland Wilds
The Science Circle Foundation is hosting this roundtable discussion to enhance their Immersive Experience.
Participants will experience firsthand how Moon Base Project members tackle difficult issues in weekly meetings to design and build a safe and sustainable lunar base.
The event will start with an open dialog about the guiding questions to exchange perspectives on these and more difficult questions, after which Project members will share how they communicate and collaborate effectively in a virtual world.

Guiding Questions:
Who owns the Moon? Who should live and work there? All participants can engage in these.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to engage in a discussion of a controversial issue with no correct answer.
Participants will be able to learn how a diverse international group collaborates in a virtual world
Accessibility: SpeakEasy HUD

Lifelong Learning Roundtable
2025-04-05 10:00 - 11:00
Lifelong Learning Roundtable
Presenter: Lissena (Lynne Berrett, Whole Brain Health)
Discussants: Tilly Harmony, Tagline, Regi Yifu, Finn Fairelander
Lifelong learning is crucial for wellbeing beyond formal education, and Second Life offers a wealth of opportunities for this kind of learning all in one place! The roundtable’s goal is to highlight the diversity of lifelong learning programs available in SL and the ways they have improved the lives of participants. The moderator will provide a framework for the discussion and introduce 4 panelists who represent some of the oldest and/or largest lifelong learning programs in SL. Each will share their personal journeys from newcomers to learners and eventually teachers’ transitions that have deeply enriched their own SL experience. Each will describe their approach to lifelong learning. This panel brings together people interested in lifelong learning in SL who are often not aware of each other’s existence or of the possibilities for collaboration as part of an expanded educational community.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to actively contribute to the list of LLL opportunities in SL
Participants will be able to network to follow up on their interests.
Location Desert Hinterlands

The Moon Base
2025-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base

The Height of the Roman Empire
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:00
A Virtual Field Trip to Ancient Rome
Step back in time with us as we journey to the ancient splendor of Alexandria in AUC 754 (1 CE), during the height of the Roman Empire! This immersive virtual field trip will transport you to a world of marble villas, bustling estates, and the timeless grandeur of Roman life under Emperor Augustus.
Explore These Iconic Locations:
Antonius Family Estate: Wander the sprawling grounds of a noble Roman household.
Antonius Villa at Luxor: Marvel at the opulence of this riverside retreat.
Alexandria AUC 754: Experience the vibrant heart of this legendary city, a crossroads of culture and power.
Empire of Romanum: Witness the might and majesty of Rome’s imperial reach.
Dress the Part: To fully embrace the experience, we encourage participants to don Roman attire; think togas, tunics, and sandals! Whether you’re a senator, a citizen, or a scholar, come styled for the occasion.
Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable adventure into the past. Join us as we bring history to life in this unique virtual exploration!
