Science Circle

VR in Science & Education
2024-09-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Auditorium
This talk will feature how I created Virtual Reality simulations of dinosaurs and their ecosystems using the Unity 3D game engine for the Virginia Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur festivals and for students at Franklin County High School in Virginia. The simulations were very popular with k12 students, and parents were supportive of my efforts. The latest results showed that families increased their knowledge of dinosaurs by 32% by using the VR simulations. A Jurassic simulation was done in 2023, a Late Cretaceous one in 2024, and a Triassic simulation is planned for 2025.
By Dr. William Schmachtenberg Ph.D.

Classical Concert
2024-09-08 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-09-15 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-09-22 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-09-29 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-10-06 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-10-13 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-10-20 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Moon Base meeting
2024-09-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Moon base

Mathematics Club
2024-09-12 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-19 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-10 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Maths Club

Science Circle Forum
2024-09-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Science Circle Forum
In the weeks leading up to the Science Circle Forums, you will be given a choice of 5 topics for discussion.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion:

– Discuss the influence of social media platforms on political opinions, news dissemination, and public discourse. Are social media companies doing enough to combat misinformation and promote healthy conversations?

Advancements in Space Exploration:

– Explore the recent achievements and future goals in space exploration. What are the implications of private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin entering the space race? Should space exploration be a priority for government funding?

The Future of Education in a Digital World:

– Debate the transformation of education through technology and online learning platforms. How can we ensure equal access to quality education for all students in a digital age?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a Solution to Poverty:

– Discuss the feasibility and potential impact of implementing a Universal Basic Income. Can UBI effectively address poverty and inequality, or are there better alternatives?

Ethics of Animal Testing in Scientific Research:

– Examine the ethical considerations of using animals for scientific research and product testing. Are current regulations sufficient to protect animal welfare, or should alternative methods be prioritized?

This poll is no longer accepting votes Your choice of 5 topics for discussionThe Role of Social Media in Shaping Public OpinionAdvancements in Space ExplorationThe Future of Education in a Digital WorldUniversal Basic Income (UBI) as a Solution to PovertyEthics of Animal Testing in Scientific Research9 votes · 9 answersVote

International Observe The Moon Night
2024-09-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Participating as The Science Circle in the International Observe the Moon Night

Event Overview
The Science Circle invites you to join the International Observe the Moon Night, a global event dedicated to lunar observation and appreciation. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, September 14 at 10 AM PDT.
What is International Observe the Moon Night?
International Observe the Moon Night is an annual event that encourages people worldwide to observe and learn about the Moon. It is a celebration of lunar science and exploration, celestial observation, and our cultural and personal connections to the Moon.
Why Participate?
– Educational Experience: Gain a deeper understanding of the Moon, its phases, surface features, and its role in our solar system.
– Community Engagement: Connect with fellow Moon enthusiasts and share your observations and experiences.
– Global Participation: Join thousands of people around the world in a simultaneous lunar observation event.

How to Participate
1. Prepare Your Equipment
– Telescopes and Binoculars: While not mandatory, having a telescope or a good pair of binoculars can enhance your viewing experience.
– Camera: Capture your observations with a camera. Many participants share their photos on social media and event platforms.
2. Observation Tips
– Find a Good Location: Choose a spot with a clear view of the sky, away from bright city lights.
– Check the Weather: Ensure the weather will be clear for optimal viewing conditions.
– Know the Moon Phases: Familiarize yourself with the current phase of the Moon and what features to look for.
3. During the Event
– Join the Online Session: The Science Circle will host a live online session starting at 10 AM PDT.
– Link: [Join The Science Circle Event]
– Activities: Live discussions, Q&A sessions with lunar experts, and real-time observations.
– Share Your Experience: Use social media hashtags like #ObserveTheMoon and #ScienceCircle to share your observations and connect with the global community.
4. Post-Event Activities
– Discuss and Reflect: Join follow-up discussions to share your experiences and learn from others.
– Contribute to Citizen Science: Consider contributing your observations to citizen science projects that study the Moon.
Conclusion
Participating in the International Observe the Moon Night with The Science Circle is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Moon, engage with a community of enthusiasts, and contribute to global lunar observation efforts. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14 at 10 AM PDT and get ready to look up at the night sky!

Science Circle Forum
2024-09-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Science Circle Forum
In the weeks leading up to the Science Circle Forums, you will be given a choice of 5 topics for discussion.

Data Privacy in the Digital Age:

– Discuss the importance of data privacy and the challenges of protecting personal information online. How can individuals safeguard their data, and what responsibilities do companies and governments have in this regard?

The Influence of Pop Culture on Society:

– Explore how movies, music, television, and social media influencers shape societal norms, values, and behaviors. What are the positive and negative impacts of pop culture on different age groups?

Healthcare Access and Inequality:

– Debate the issues surrounding access to healthcare, including the disparities based on socioeconomic status, geography, and race. What policies or initiatives could improve healthcare equality?

The Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency:

– Examine the rise of cryptocurrencies and their potential to revolutionize the financial system. What are the benefits and risks associated with using digital currencies, and how should they be regulated?

The Future of Renewable Energy:

– Discuss the advancements and challenges in the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. What role should governments and private sectors play in accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future?

This poll is no longer accepting votes Your choice of 5 topics for discussionData Privacy in the Digital AgeThe Influence of Pop Culture on SocietyHealthcare Access and InequalityThe Pros and Cons of CryptocurrencyThe Future of Renewable Energy11 votes · 11 answersVote

Triangles: A Tale of Obsession
2024-09-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Triangles: A Tale of Obsession
The secret superpower of Second Life is the many activities related to lifelong learning. One of those is this Science Circle and there are many others, from philosophy to folkdancing. This is a story of how I became obsessed with some of the properties of triangles when I started attending Math Club and what I learned about triangles and about myself.
By Mary Anne Clark, Ph.D.

SC Formal Debate
2024-09-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Science Circle Forum
**Postponed — look for further announcements**

The Art of the Argument
2024-09-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
“The Art of the Argument”
by Phil Youngblood, PhD
As we experience life, we each develop a model of how the world works in our heads. This is a critical development because the world must make sense for us to be able to operate within it. However, since we each have a different set of experiences, it is inevitable that the way we view the world will be unique, and different from the way everyone else views it.
Most of the presentations hosted by the Science Circle have been in the fields of the natural sciences, with occasional forays into the social and applied sciences, so talks that wander into logic, philosophy, and rhetoric may be unfamiliar to many of us. However, as illustrated by the Science Circle’s 3D display at the recent Second Life 21st Birthday celebration, the foundation of all science is built on a working knowledge of those areas of thought.
During this one hour together, let’s discuss some of the following questions. The presenter will facilitate the discussion in voice and participants are encouraged to respectfully join in the discussion in chat.
CONCEPTS
—What are the studies of logic, philosophy, and rhetoric? How are they related?
—How do these studies form the foundation of all science?
—What is critical thinking and why is it important to us?
PRACTICE
—There are other people in the world besides us. In what ways do we view others?
—People have different views than we do. In what ways do we treat these different views?
—Why might we need to reconcile the different ways we view the world? If so, how?
NEW SCIENCE CIRCLE EVENTS
—Science Circle Forum – giving voice to and listening to different viewpoints
—Science Circle Debate – persuasive arguments for or against opposing viewpoints
Phil Youngblood

World Space Week
2024-10-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
“Space & Climate Change Trivia – Celebrating World Space Week”
by the Science Circle Moon Base Project
The United Nations General Assembly declared that October 4-10 each year shall be known as “World Space Week” to commemorate two key events in space exploration – the launch of Sputnik, the first satellite, on October 4, 1957, and the signing of what became known as The Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.
By tradition, a theme is chosen each year. The theme for 2024 is “Space and Climate Change.” Over 16,000 events hosted by organizations in over 90 countries have been developed to celebrate World Space Week this year, many of which are on this year’s theme.
The Science Circle is joining others around the world in recognizing World Space Week. Our celebration will be in the form of a fun and informal educational event during which participants will be invited to answer questions about space in general and about climate change, particularly as it relates to space exploration and what can be observed from space.
The event will be in the Science Circle amphitheater. At the time of the publication of this abstract, the ‘rules’ for this event are still being discussed, but will be announced at the beginning of the event. They will likely include—
…participants may work individually or in teams
…questions will range from ‘easy’ to ‘hard’ and be assigned points accordingly, the more difficult assigned more points
…questions will be displayed in slides on a screen in front of everyone in the amphitheater, with a variety of answer forms ranging from an open answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and other options
…participants have a limited time to answer, likely about one minute from the time the question is displayed and read by one of the moderators
…points will be given to the individual or team who writes the correct answer first in chat
There will be prizes of Linden dollars and possibly space-related objects for the individual(s) or team(s) earning the most points at the end of the event. If there is a tie, the tiebreaker will be whomever is able to safely land the Moon lander near the Moon Base Project site in the middle of Science Circle island. 😊

Nobel Prizes in Science 2024 Roundup
2024-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
This week the Nobel Prizes were announced for Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics. Today we present a summary of the new Laureats and the works recognized for their distinguishing contributions to science.
Nobel Prize website
Presented by Stephen Gasior/Xootfly

Forum: Surprise Topic
2024-10-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Mike Shaw (not Phil) will lead a discussion on a surprise topic.
