Science Circle

Science Trivia
2018-09-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Auditorium

SC Trivia test hour
2018-08-25 09:00 - 10:00 | Auditorium
After the previous test run we added 600+ Science, History & General knowledge questions.
Time set: 30 seconds
Range: 20 meters

Trivia Test run
2018-08-11 09:00 - 10:00 | Auditorium
Would you like to accompany us for an hour of Science Trivia?
Today we are testing the game!

“Updating Darwinian Evolution Part II: The Role of Sexual Selection”
2018-06-30 09:00 - 10:00 | Auditorium
The most common conception of evolution is that the hardiest survive. Darwin proposed another type of competition–that for mates within a species. When competing for mating partners the ability to find the right match and display your wares become important forces shaping the evolution of physiology, chemistry, and the brain. This talk explores the science of sexual selection in humans. Sexual selection has been well established in animal species for half a century, but the ability to study it in humans is relatively recent. Using the documentary The Science of Sex Appeal as a scaffold, this talk helps us update Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

Optional Discovery video (not available everywhere)

Dr. Stephen L. Gasior
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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Psychological benefits of walking in a virtual nature
2018-06-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual Island of Natmoud
Abstract
Can the benefits of nature walks for psychological well-being and cognitive ability be replicated in a purely virtual environment? The island of Natmoud was built in the virtual world of Second Life (SL) to see whether immersion in such an environment is possibly therapeutic. Residents of SL were invited to visit Natmoud and comment in writing on their experience while there. Reading and analyzing these comments with TROPES semantic software allows us to identify the main factors contributing to a relaxing and comforting atmosphere. The implicit hypothesis that a virtual representation of nature can be soothing is confirmed. We also find that wildlife – which is abundant on the island * –appears to be the main feature that catches the attention of walkers. Given that these verbatim transcripts from a small convenience sample reflect, with one exception, the emotions felt by women, the results cannot really be generalized. In the analyses, the anonymity of the avatars is preserved by using initials, even though in all the cases the participants consented to the reproduction of the emotions they expressed.
Related PDF

— Benny Rigaux-Bricmont

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Big data: road to the future or just weapons of math destruction?
2018-06-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Big data: road to the future or just weapons of math destruction?

Big Data are like the God Janus: on the one end they offer great advantages, make our lives easier by offering us unlimited possibility to better organize our work and our everyday life; they allow us to achieve a better understanding of the world around us and can be used to monitor and control the environment, in practice they are changing our world and our lives in ways which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
On the other end, however, if ill used -either by negligence or on purpose- they can become “Weapons of Math Destruction” leading to wrong decisions which can badly affect the weakest and poorest part of our society. The Data Anlytics phenomenon is only the most recent case of misuse of big data.
==========================
— Giuseppe Longo
Professor of Astrophysics

Accademico Pontaniano
Associate – California Institute of Technology
Associate . INFN and INAF

Previous work in the Film Collection

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"Catalysis in Wonderland part 2"
2018-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Catalysis in Wonderland, Part II: An SL presentation of classic transition-metal chemistry.
Abstract:
Organic chemistry follows certain rules. Starting in the 1950’s, we began to find ways that transition metals (e.g. chromium, iron, nickel, rhodium, gold and many others) could bend the rules of classic organic chemistry and facilitate chemical transformations which would otherwise be onerous. One example of the utility of transition metals as applied to organic chemistry is in catalysis, i.e. the transformation of starting materials into products through an easy-to-traverse sequence of steps. Today, catalysts mediate a wide range of reactions, from improving the quality of air (e.g. catalytic converters) to the production of plastics, medicines and other chemical transformations. This talk is a continuation of our discussion of catalysis where we will review the basics of “organometallic” catalysis reactions such as “oxidative addition”, “insertion”, and reductive elimination. These steps allow a metal complex to catalyze a reaction without itself being changed. These principles will be illustrated through lecture and scripted objects. The talk will discuss in detail the issues of “handedness” and how a catalyst can imprint its “handedness” on the final product.

— Mike J. Shaw
Previous work in the Library
Previous work, including “Catalysis in Wonderland part 1” in the Film Collection

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"Student Virtual World Science Projects in Sine Space"
2018-06-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Members here at Science Circle regularly attend our meetings for online discussions and collaboration. On June 9, I will discuss my attempts to get my students to collaborate and work together online. Sine space seems to provide the online networking in a safe networked environment we need. One of my students has created a space colony for Europa, and another has created a geological simulation called Eagle Rock, based on an actual area in Virginia. The creator of the sims can control who has access to the sim and can even delete it if so desired.
An optional field trip will be given at the end of the lecture. Details on how to log in will be giving at the end of the lecture. These sims can be accessed with a web browser and a guest account. Although the sine space client for pc and an account is recommended at https://sine.space.

Take a Virtual Geology Field Trip to Eagle Rock, Virginia!
by Dr. William F. Schmachtenberg (Dae Miami SL)
Previous work in the Film Collection

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Interactive tour of Brodmann's Brain
2018-06-01 07:00 - 08:00 | Brodmann’s Brain
Join us for an interactive tour of Brodmann’s Brain! Within this giant cortex we can see and stimulate the fMRI mapped areas which correlate to fear, desire, love, coordination, meditation, speech, and more!
This model and others being developed provide a platform for exciting educational opportunities in biology, psychology, and health, behavioral, and social sciences. Sponsored by Whole Brain Health on Inspiration Island, featuring brain research post-doc OsanGar, Thuja Hynes and Lissena Wisdomseeker.
Previous work from Lynne Berrett (Lissena Wisdomseeker) in the Library
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Tumblin' Dice - Probability Theory & Statistics...
2018-05-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Tumblin’ Dice – Probability Theory & Statistics as a basis for Modern Science
Probability Theory & Statistics represent something very basic to human existence and are indispensable to scientific rigor. This presentation will survey some of the stepping stones that form the basis of computational mathematics commonly used in analysis of data from experimentation. This includes some mathematical history and some set theoretic considerations for basic statistics with emphasis on discrete sample (outcome) space.
By Tagline (Guest speaker)
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"The Anthropocene Epoch"
2018-05-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2018-05-19 06:00 - 07:00 | Auditorium
There is a saying that in English goes, “One cannot see the forest for the trees.” The traditional meaning is that it is difficult to see the bigger picture if you cannot see beyond your own little part in it. So it goes with seeing the bigger picture of global changes because we live on such a small part of our planet, and for such a relatively short time.
In March 2008, The Science Circle officially began its tradition of presentations of a variety of science topic with “The Anthropocene Epoch.” Ten years later, we will again explore the concept of geological epochs and evidence that humans have had such a significantly high impact on our planet that we are even now leaving evidence in rock and ice layers, in the atmosphere, and in the fossil record, that will be evident thousands and millions of years from now.
Some of the questions we will explore are: “How has the Earth changed over its history?”
“What caused those changes?” “What was the impact and how long did it last?” “How do we know?” “What natural changes are occurring right now on Earth?” “How are humans changing our planet and by how much?” “Are humans the only living things changing the Earth?” “What are the possible short and long-term consequences of our activities?” “Is there anything we can do about it?”
This is a subject that is having an impact on every one of us for centuries to come. Come join us!
Phil Youngblood / Vic Michalak

— Phil Youngblood
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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"Stephen Hawking's Last Paper... "
2018-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Photo: NASA

“Stephen Hawking’s Last Paper: his and other theoretical cosmologist’s ideas about the multiverse”
More information soon!

— Rob Knop
Homepage
Blog
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

Catalysis in Wonderland: An SL presentation of classic transition-metal chemistry.
2018-04-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Abstract:
Organic chemistry tends to follow certain rules. Starting in the 1950’s, we began to find ways that transition metals (e.g. chromium, iron, nickel, rhodium, gold and many others) could bend the rules of classic organic chemistry and facilitate chemical transformations which would otherwise be onerous. One example of the utility of transition metals as applied to organic chemistry is in catalysis, i.e. the transformation of starting materials into products through an easy-to-traverse sequence of steps. Today, catalysts mediate a wide range of reactions, from improving the quality of air (e.g. catalytic converters) to the production of plastics, medicines and other chemical transformations. In this talk we will cover the basics of “organometallic” catalysis reactions such as “oxidative addition”, “insertion”, and reductive elimination. We will use these steps to illustrate how a metal can catalyze a reaction without itself being changed, through lecture and scripted objects. What we have learned about catalysts which dissolve has helped us to understand how metal surfaces mediate similar transformations.
Dr. Michael J. Shaw,
Distinguished Research Professor

— Mike J. Shaw
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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"Insights from Genes and Genomes"
2018-04-22 08:00 - 09:00 | Auditorium
Photo Wikipedia
“Updating Darwinian Evolution Part I: Insights from Genes and Genomes”
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution was a landmark event in science, providing an explanation for the origin of the diverse lifeforms on the Earth. Notably, it was largely a construct of deduction from observations. In the over 150 years of the existence of this theory, scientists have provided the nuts and bolts of how evolution works. Notable discoveries include DNA and how it encodes genes, how genes lead to characteristics, the ability to compare genomes, and experimentally measure population dynamics. What Darwin Never Knew (PBS 2009) covers some of the molecular examples of how evolution works. This presentation will summarize the key examples from the documentary. You are welcome to watch the documentary in advance and ask specific questions; however, the talk is designed for those unfamiliar with the documentary topics.

The first talk will be based on “What Darwin Never Knew”.
Watching before hand will be good but not necessary.

Dr. Stephen L. Gasior
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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Location

The Fascinating World of Elon Musk 2
2018-04-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Elon Musk: Man With a Purpose
We asked Science Circle students what topics they would like to hear and Elon Musk was one request. Well, I was curious also, so this coming Saturday your request is granted!
Elon Musk is one of the richest and most powerful men in the world. Who is he and how did he get where he is today? What drives him to do what he does? What will he do next? Of course we could never really know unless we asked him directly (anyone know if he has a SL avatar?), but we can speculate on answers to these questions from what he has told others and what he has done in the past.
Come explore what I was able to find out about this fascinating person and his world, about his past projects (Zip2, X.com, and PayPal), current projects and how they work (Tesla & SolarCity, SpaceX, The Boring Company & Hyperloop, and Neuralink & OpenAI), and about what is next!
Phil Youngblood / Vic Michalak

— Phil Youngblood
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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The Fascinating World of Elon Musk
2018-04-14 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium

"The First Stars"
2018-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Photo: NASA
Abstract:
The Universe began in a hot and dense state. After ten minutes or so, the elements had formed, and for the next few hundred thousand years the Universe was filled with hot plasma, expanding and cooling. The Universe was opaque; any light emitted would be scattered or absorbed before it could travel far. Then came a transition, when the Universe went from plasma to neutral gas, and at the same time became transparent. After that were the aptly-named “dark ages”, for nothing was emitting light. Some few hundred million years after that, the very first stars in the Universe formed. None of these stars, we believe, is still around today, and observing their effects (either directly or indirectly) is very challenging. However, a number of observations have told us things about the epoch when stars first formed in our Universe, and it remains a major goal of cosmology to learn more about the nature of these stars.
In this talk, I’ll outline the relevant history of the Universe, and tell you what we know and believe about the very first stars.

— Rob Knop
Homepage
Blog
Previous work in the Library
Previous work in the Film Collection

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“Mitochondrial Eve”
2018-03-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Abstract
Variations in the sequence of mitochondrial DNA can be used to identify human lineages and mark human migration patterns. In 1987, mtDNA samples from 147 women were compared and used to infer the sequence and origin of the mitochondria of the common ancestor of all humans. The popular press and science writers were quick to name this common ancestor “Mitochondrial Eve.” What has the continued study of human mitochondrial sequences told us about our origin and history?
M. A. Clark (aka Max Chatnoir)
Mary Anne Clark
Previous work in the Film Collection

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Slartist@UWA Machinima Challenge - Awards Ceremony
2018-03-25 06:00 - 07:00
The theme of the SLartist@UWA Machinima Challenge (L$430,000 prize pool) was ‘ART OF THE ARTISTS.’ We encouraged connections and collaborations between 3D artists and machinima makers. Any artworks that sit on the UWA Sims in Second Life, including artworks created when the sims themselves were created in 2009, could be selected to feature in the machinimas. Filmmakers could choose individual artworks or a collection of artworks around which to weave a story. The artwork(s) needed to be a relatively significant part of the story, and not merely something glimpsed in passing. Read more…

"Astrobiology and the search for microbial life"
2018-03-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Photo ESA
Introduction to astrobiology and the scientific search for evidence of microbial life beyond Earth, especially on moons in the solar system. Review, with questions welcome, the very real and exciting possibility of finding such life in the fairly near future, and its far-reaching implications. For a general audience, brief discussion of key basic principles in areas of microbiology, physics and chemistry that drive, inform and focus the search.

— James Woods
Previous work in the Film Collection

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Meta Manifesto: Think Tank 4 Effective Tactics
2018-03-17 14:00 - 15:00
Presenters:
Kae Novak/Kavon Zenovka (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
Cynthia Calongne/Lyr Lobo
Educators and Trainers
Chris Luchs/Abacus Capalini
Educators and Trainers
Trish Cloud/Trish Cloud
Educators and Trainers
Using the learning that happens outside the classroom, let’s go META by considering the Most Effective Tactics Available. This round table invites participants to a think tank on tactics for virtual worlds (VWs), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and games. As we look beyond the hype and disillusionment, the session asks the participants to brainstorm actions to support our current and future directions. What can we do to shape the future? What is our Manifesto moving forward?
Participants will be able to draw connections between learning and emerging ideas and formulate a plan for looking at future innovation.
More information & location

Liberate Agency Amplification Via Avatar Identity
2018-03-17 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter:
Renne Emiko Brock/Zinnia Zauber (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
Let go of control. Instructors empower students through agency with active learning ownership, not with ultimate authority. Build validating lessons prior to entering virtual situations with surprising personal investigation, mood board creation, and character sketches. Develop education buy-in through accelerated and immediate avatar customization to reveal individuality and unlimited potential. Use reflection exercises to reveal how this experience exposed their real investment in themselves.
Participants will be able to utilize revelations of student’s motivation via avatar development.
Participants will be able to foster personalized research, design, documentation, and blogging.
More information & location

Etopian Evolution for Real World Solutions
2018-03-17 12:00 - 13:00
Photo Etopia
Presenter:
G Ronnie Kraegel/Namaara MacMoragh (Avatar)
Advocacy and NonProfit
As an ever evolving project, Etopia is designed to bridge SL and RL by providing safe, educational space and activities for skills exploration with partners such as Peninsula College and Brain Energy Support Team. The benefits of learning social, sustainable, and behavioral skills in a virtual world give participants the opportunity to create a better quality of life for themselves and the communities they are in.
Participants will learn how Etopia has integrated real life solutions into the Second Life experience.
Participants will learn how a mutually supportive community experience can address real world environmental and social challenges.
More information & location

If They Build It, They Will Come!
2018-03-17 09:00 - 10:00
Presenters:
Carolyn Lowe/Clowey Greenwood (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
Amy Pihlainen/Elsie Ocello (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
The authors, working with children ages 10 through 14, have found that allowing the students to create the learning spaces increases engagement, deep learning, and motivation to learn and do more. This presentation will demonstrate this through showcasing the many learning activities accomplished by the children and include the childrens’ reflections on the experience.
Participants will be able to describe examples in which children created their own virtual learning experiences.
Participants will be able to express the benefits of having children building in a learning environment.
More information & location

Our Brains, Ourselves, Our Worlds
2018-03-16 16:00 - 17:30
Presenters:
Thuja Hynes (Avatar)
Advocacy and NonProfit
Lissena
Advocacy and NonProfit
A Virtual Interactive Model of the Five Pillars of Whole-Brain Health connects the goals of healthy Neuroplasticity and Collective Learning. Participants learn brain structure and function as they engage in a spectrum of activities, capture their experiences digitally in images and text, and contribute these to a collaborative document. We then correlate that information to regions of a walk-in anatomically correct model of the human brain. The result is a hologram of our collective understanding.
Participants will actively discover how the 5 pillars of whole-brain health can be applied to their own lives.
Participants will use voice, text, captured images, and movement to build a collective neural map and understanding.
More information & location

Chemistry Experiments in Virtual Worlds
2018-03-16 15:00 - 16:00
Photo: VWBPE Lecture hall A
Presenter:
Wendy L. Keeney-Kennicutt/Julia Tiraxibar (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
The design, implementation and assessment of college-level chemistry experiments conducted in Second Life suggest that VWs can be effective for teaching chemistry laboratory. In this pilot study, 55 students successfully completed two virtual experiments and showed learning gains similar to 67 students who performed identical real world experiments, as shown by pre/post quizzes and a practicum. Students held positive views of their virtual experience; teaching assistants had mixed opinions.
Participants will be able to better translate a physical lab experience to VR for students and TAs.
More information & location

Use Cases for Social Virtual Reality
2018-03-16 10:00 - 11:00
Photo: ESA
Presenters:
Lisa Laxton/Lisa Laxton (Avatar)
Research and Development Community Foundation
Cynthia Calogne/Lyr Lobo
Educators and Trainers
Singergirl Mode
Business and Entrepreneurs
Dieter Heyne
Coders, Scripters, and System/IT Analysts
Gentle Heron
Support and Help Communities
Many virtual world technologies are available today in the social virtual reality realm. Because teachers and researchers often do not share institutional data, choosing the best technology can be a challenge. Each use case requires analytical thinking to solve problems considering: virtual world design rationale; features associated with social use; security requirements; and accessibility. Panellists will present use cases and solutions. Compass point discussion will follow the presentations.
Participants will be able to learn innovative approaches to educational virtual world use cases.
Participants will be able to learn about Infinite Metaverse Alliance and reasons for engagement.
More information & location

Improving Digital Literacy – A Solvable Challenge using Virtual Worlds
2018-03-16 09:00 - 10:00
Presenter:
Marie Vans/amvans lapis (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
Valerie Hill/Valibrarian Gregg
Educators and Trainers
Virtual World librarians are positioned to lead efforts to develop digital citizenship by developing programs that assist in the mastery of responsible and appropriate technology use, including online identity, communication etiquette, and rights and responsibilities by learners. We present the definition of digital literacy and the very solvable challenges faced by educators and students. We also include possible solutions and call for the creation of a digital literacy lifecycle model.
Participants will have an understanding of the challenges and issues for becoming digitally literate.
Participants will understand how to engage others in meaningful conversation on digital literacy.
More information & location

How to Get There from Here
2018-03-15 14:00 - 15:00
Presenter:
Barbara McQueen/Barbara Novelli (Avatar)
Educators and Trainers
Teachers are often unnerved by how much they need to learn to best use virtual worlds as a part of their technology arsenal. So they don’t use virtual worlds or only use them in a very limited way. This presentation will detail:

The most important virtual world skills to learn and fun ways to teach them
Simple to complex games and roleplays that deeply immerse students
Tasks for blogs, Moodle, Skype, machinima, social media, online conference rooms, and other educational software and devices

Participants will be able to create virtual classes that are flipped, gamified, and student-led.
Participants will be able to modify the presented tools/techniques to enhance teaching any subject.
More information & location
