Science Circle

Luna: The Earth’s Moon
2022-10-01 21:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Auditorium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

Luna: The Earth’s Moon
The moon has influenced, and continues to influence, the Earth and everything and everyone on it. The lunar mass and lunar orbit have moderated Earth’s seasons and produce daily tides that affect sea-life and human-life. The phases of the moon provide varying degrees of nocturnal illumination affecting flora and fauna, as well as inspiring literature and romance among human beings. Solar and lunar eclipses have both frightened and exhilarated many. I will discuss the various celestial motions responsible for these phenomena and the moon’s role in the future of humanity.
Dr. William Wall

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

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Classical Concert
2022-10-02 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-10-09 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-10-16 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-10-23 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-10-30 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-11-06 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-11-13 07:00 - 08:00, 2022-11-20 07:00 - 08:00 and 2 more dates | The Lighthouse Café

The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
2022-10-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Prospero’s Planetarium
International Observe the Moon Night
Sponsored by NASA
International Observe the Moon Night is an invitation to everyone on Earth to learn about the Earth’s moon, the role it has and continues to play in our culture, and our continuing fascination and exploration of it. Plus, we get an opportunity to participate together in a personal and social observation of it worldwide!

The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
We have focused on the Earth’s moon this week. Our nearest neighbor dominates the sky at night when it is visible where we live, just as the sun, our nearest star, does during the day. Both are objects of wonder and subjects of much science, stories, legends, music, and poetry. While Earth’s moon is special to us, it is only one of 210 known moons in the solar system. While Earth’s star makes life possible on our planet, it is only one of roughly 5000 stars we can see from Earth.
What else is out there in the sky around us that we can see when the sun and moon are not visible where we are? Let’s explore the myriad of objects that form the community that make up our solar system and our local region of the Milky Way. What science have we learned about them? How has looking up at the stark contrast of these bright, untouchable objects standing out like immutable beacons against the blackness of space inspired humans over the ages to create stories, legends, legends, music, and poetry about them?
During this show, together we will—
—Look and learn about the most prominent constellations, the brightest stars, the planets visible at that time, and other objects we can see in the sky then.
—Examine the DART mission to the moonlet of an asteroid passing by the Earth and its significance
—Learn about missions to other moons in the solar system and the potential for significant discoveries there

NOTE: This show is in Prospero’s Planetarium, inside the big mountain on the north side of Science Circle island – use the red teleporter near the big sign to enter.

Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

Dr. Phil Youngblood

Previous lectures on film

Podcast

The following activities are part of The Science Circle’s contribution to International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 1:
—All day. See educational displays in the center of SC Island.
—10 am SLT. “Howling at the Moon” presentation (amphitheater).
—11 am SLT. “Live from the Moon!” livestream event (amphitheater)
—8 pm SLT. “International Space Museum” guided tour
—9 pm SLT. “Luna: The Earth’s Moon” presentation (amphitheater)

EXTRA — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd 9 am SLT. The Sky Around Us: A Planetarium Show
—See overview

LOOK UP! Be curious again! Come together, worldwide, for one night. Join us!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Paranormal: Ghosts, Cryptids, Ancient Aliens, Superpowers, Time Travel. Best Practices for Debunking
2022-10-08 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
It’s spooky season. A good time to talk about the paranormal. Ghosts, cryptids, ancient aliens, superpowers, time travel and the like. Pseudoscience is often invoked to argue that such things are real. Usually all in good fun but not without the danger of people believing junk. Please join us to talk about best practices for debunking junk.

Resources
Debunking Robert Sepehr (junk anthropology)
Debunking the Baghdad battery
Milo’s collection of TikTok Shorts debunking pseudoscience
The worst ghost hunting reality show ever, explained
Enjoy Joe Rogan discussing time travel with his sidekick

A discussion hosted by Matt Burr at the Light house Cafe

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The Science(s) of Architecture
2022-10-08 21:00 - 22:00 | Auditorium
The Science(s) of Architecture
Terry Beaubois(Tab Scott in SL) has been practicing, presenting and teaching Architecture nationally and internationally for 4 decades. He first entered SL in 2005 and taught Architecture classes on his University Island while Director of the Creative Research Lab at Montana State University. He has also taught at Stanford and University of Hawaii, and presented at Universities in London, Paris, Vienna, Finland, Denmark, Japan and India.
He loves Architecture and he loves Science.
Terry will present information about the role that the Sciences play in the design of buildings.
Additional Links:
Podcast
Architect Magazine

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Understanding the importance of coastal zones in climate resilience and mitigation (Part 1)
2022-10-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Chemistry World
Tantramar Salt Marshes and Mudflats: Tour and Discussion
Invitation
The coastal regions of Earth are special places, transitions between water and land that nourish and protect both, making littoral edges hubs of activity. The Bay of Fundy is one of the most unique in the world. The world’s highest tides bring about 2 billion cubic meters of water in and out of the narrow Bay two times a day, water with enough nutrients to feed pods of calving whales.
These are among the many reasons this Bay and its inlets are chosen nesting, nursery, and seasonal homes for many migratory land and sea species making these areas some of the richest ecosystems in the world.
We are focusing on one of those inlets, the Cumberland Basin, particularly the Tantramar salt marshes and mudflats. This area is anything but pristine though, having been settled and farmed by people for hundreds of years. Today people are working to rewild at least some of this area. Is it possible? What would it take? Please join us for a tour and discussion of our Second Life version of this enormously vital area.
By Linda M. Kelley (Delia Lake)

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Mental Health Near You
2022-10-15 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Mental Health Near You
In recent years the issue of Mental health has come to the forefront, and we have more awareness of it now than we did in the past. But different countries handle it in different ways.
In your experience, how well does your country deal with mental health issues? What help is available to you and the people around you? Is it effective? Do you have any suggestions, criticisms, or ideas on improving it?

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The Science(s) of Architecture
2022-10-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
“The Science(s) of Architecture”

Terry Beaubois (Tab Scott in SL) has been practicing, presenting and teaching Architecture nationally and internationally for 4 decades. He first entered SL in 2005 and taught Architecture classes on his University Island while Director of the Creative Research Lab at Montana State University. He has also taught at Stanford and University of Hawaii, and presented at Universities in London, Paris, Vienna, Finland, Denmark, Japan and India.
He loves Architecture and he loves Science.
Terry will present information about the role that the Sciences play in the design of buildings.

Current work includes:
• Podcast
• ARCHITECT Magazine Special Section

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Language, words that transcend culture
2022-10-22 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Language, words that transcend culture
Second Life allows for interaction between countries and languages all around the world. It can lead to misunderstandings, but also fun coincidences!
Join us as we explore words and phrases that transcend culture and explore unique phrases that don’t transcend culture!

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The Non-lethal Effects of COVID Infection
2022-10-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
The Non-lethal Effects of COVID Infection
As a new virus, COVID-19’s ability to infect and cause death was both alarming and mysterious. Very rapidly, thanks to modern science, we have been able to uncover the basic aspects of how it is transmitted, replicates, and developed a series of vaccines to combat it. While a death toll of around 6.5 million people is a staggering number, the additional symptom burden of infection remains not fully understood or appreciated. This presentation aims to catalog many of the non-lethal effects of COVID-19 infection like long COVID, loss of smell, memory loss, and others. Much like our ability to understand the viral life cycle and its infectivity, there has been much progress made in understanding how these symptoms develop.
Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

Previous lectures on film

Podcasts

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Halloween around the world, past, present and future
2022-10-29 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Halloween around the world, past, present and future
Rounding off the month of October and bidding farewell to the spooky season once again, we will discuss how this holiday is celebrated in your country, if at all.
We’ll also discuss your opinions on the future of Halloween, will it become more prolific as time goes on?

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Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium
2022-11-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium
When is a chemical reaction over? Sometimes reactions never finish, they just achieve a state where no further change appears to occur on the macroscopic level. Welcome to the world we live in, a world where chemical changes constantly occur in an attempt to rebalance systems that are pushed out of a steady state. Equilibria allow systems to resist changes, for example the pH of blood is maintained in a life-sustaining narrow range by “buffers”, i.e. agents which resist large concentration swings by acids or bases. These systems are surprisingly easy to describe and model, yet support surprising diversity and complexity. In this talk, we’ll discuss relevant properties and examples of such equilibrium systems.
A presentation by Dr. Mike J. Shaw

Dr. Mike J. Shaw

Reference work in the library

Previous lectures on film

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Addressing Overpopulation
2022-11-05 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Addressing Overpopulation
Overpopulation.
A 21st century problem that nobody seems to know how, or want to, address. But with each passing day it becomes a bigger issue, as more people are added to the world.
Today we will discuss this problem, why it’s so hard to address, and how we could find a solution before it’s too late.

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Autumn Leaf Colors
2022-11-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium

Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium
2022-11-12 21:00 - 22:00 | Auditorium
Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium
When is a chemical reaction over? Sometimes reactions never finish, they just achieve a state where no further change appears to occur on the macroscopic level. Welcome to the world we live in, a world where chemical changes constantly occur in an attempt to rebalance systems that are pushed out of a steady state. Equilibia allow systems to resist changes, for example the pH of blood is maintained in a life-sustaining narrow range by “buffers”, i.e. agents which resist large concentration swings by acids or bases. These systems are surprisingly easy to describe and model, yet support surprising diversity and complexity. In this talk, we’ll discuss relevant properties and examples of such equilibrium systems.
A presentation by Dr Michael J. Shaw.

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Identity, Presence and the Ageless Avatar in Social Virtual Worlds
2022-11-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Identity, Presence and the Ageless Avatar in Social Virtual Worlds.

So, who are we as avatars? For many of us, we have that “ageless” look—a largely socially constructed vision of youthfulness, good health, and gender perfection. And why not? . . . If it is possible, then do it . . . right? But what does that say about us in our avatar forms? The purpose of this talk is not to focus on the ageless avatar, per se; but to use it as a metaphor and starting point to engage the assumptions and decision-making processes that go into what we (and others) see in our avatars—i.e., to explore avatar identity formation and presentation. My comments are framed in terms of the mainly social science literature related to avatars (yes, there is one!), and reflect my recent work on a geographical guide to social virtual worlds and their places. I look at questions that include: What leads us to don an electronic embodiment? Is the avatar “look” important? What is the relationship between the avatar and the avatar’s user? And how does social presence play a role in the avatar experience? In the end, I doubt that anybody will change his/her avatar—I will certainly keep my, ahem, “age-defying,” look—but perhaps we will understand better our avatar dynamics and add to our own self-knowledge.

Meryl McBride/Merrill Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor of Geography
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

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Ideas around the world
2022-11-19 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Ideas around the world
Today we’re celebrating Ideas from across the world and all walks in life. We’ll discuss any ideas from your own country, or anywhere else in the world, that you wish to share!

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Recent Advances in Understanding Aging
2022-11-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Recent Advances in Understanding Aging
Like taxes, getting old and dying is a certainty. But the reasons for why and how it happens are only recently being understood at the physiological and molecular level. Traditionally people thought aging to just be a “wearing down” of cells that leads to breakdown eventually of something important. But the discoveries of premature aging syndromes caused by defective genes and new understanding of gene regulation have ushered in a new wave of understanding the fundamentals of how aging actually commences. There are many facets to the new wave of research so this talk will focus on how DNA damage and inflammation are being proposed as key to understanding aging. A final review of some “anti-aging” or even “reverse aging” pharmacology will be touched upon. Some people think it could become less “certain”.
Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

Previous lectures on film

Podcasts

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Country Appreciation
2022-11-26 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle East Field
Country Appreciation
This week we will show appreciation for our home countries, come and share/teach us your favorite tings about your country, be it food, discoveries, holidays, etc.

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STEM Island First Look tour
2022-12-03 10:00 - 11:00 | STEM Island
The Science Circle’s physical presence in Second Life is now a mini continent consisting of its namesake region plus Chemistry World to the south and STEM Island to the north, all within a consortium of roughly 75 educational regions known as the VWEC Eduverse. Today we will take a ‘first look’ at STEM Island.

This is a region under construction with most of what I want to do with it still in my head, so while we have a look around I want to stop at several places to share with you my vision for both the physical and educational design of STEM Island and the background concepts that support this vision. Topics include:
—How does STEM Island fit into the Mission of The Science Circle and purpose of the VWEC Eduverse?
—What is the concept of STEM and the importance of STEM education today?
—What learning styles will be accommodated on STEM Island?
—What is the concept of an encyclopedia or compendium and how will this be realized on STEM Island?
—What is the concept of open access and how with STEM Island as a virtual world support this idea?

Come join me on this “first look tour” of STEM Island and share any ideas you might have with me as I share my vision with you.
Field trip by Dr. Phil Youngblood

Dr. Phil Youngblood

Previous lectures on film

Podcast

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Our Favorite places
2022-12-03 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle region
Our Favorite Places
Kicking off fieldtrip month with a visit to our favorite places in Second Life! Join us on a trip around the grid, share your favorite places in Second Life and we’ll visit them together!

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