Classical Concert
2024-06-09 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-06-16 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-06-23 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-06-30 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Lighthouse Café

Moon Base meeting
2024-06-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-01 10:00 - 23:00, 2024-07-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-29 10:00 - 11:00 and 4 more dates | Moon base

Educare
2024-06-15 10:00 - 11:00
This presentation provides a first-hand update on academia’s
response to virtual world learning over the past decade-plus. Steven Van Hook
(Kip Roffo) brings more than 20 years’ experience as an educator, author, innovator, and course designer. He will cover the evolving university response Virtual World educational possibilities, citing administrator, instructor and student concerns including:

Appeals and protests of Virtual World learning
Cost-effective program development
Best VW teaching tactics and practices
Benefits and necessities of immersive experiential learning
Field-trip to the Educare VW campus

Bio: Dr. Steven R. Van Hook has taught communication and culture classes for
universities in the USA and abroad for 25 years, developing one of the first hybrid virtual courses for UCSB in 2000. He has led in academic positions including faculty senator, ombudsman, curriculum development, accreditation review, and instructor mentoring. He is President of Educare Research, a nonprofit program serving international educators and students. He’s been a newspaper columnist, radio reporter, TV news anchor, and science podcast host. He was a television producer and bureau chief in Moscow, USSR from 1989-91; and for three years directed public education media programs in Ukraine through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He has served as a trainer and officer for organizations including VISTA, Head Start, as a licensed Master Captain by the US Coast Guard, and a private pilot. He has a PhD specializing in transcultural learning, and is published in scholarly journals including UNESCO’s Prospects, and by SAGE. He has presented on virtual world education to administrators and groups at UCLA, UCSB, VWBPE, VWEC, The Science Circle, and elsewhere. Research website: http://wwmr.us

SL21B: The Science Circle, Chemistry Island & Mathematics Club
2024-06-22 10:00 - 11:00
Over the past few months, Dr. Phil Youngblood and his colleagues Dr. Mike Shaw & Dr. Robert Hendrix worked hard on three exhibitions on the SL21B site. Today they give an overview of their work.

Second Life 21 Birthday
2024-06-29 10:00 - 11:00
Today Dr. William Schmachtenberg & Roy Sutton show their exhibits at Second Life’s 21st Birthday

Resolving Polarization
2024-07-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Nymfs Forum
Polarization has become a significant issue in contemporary society, often leading to division and conflict rather than constructive dialogue. To address this problem, we are launching an initiative that leverages the tradition of Oxford Union debates and the innovative platform of Nymfs Forum. Our goal is to reduce polarization and foster a culture of open, respectful, and informed discussion.

Oxford Union Debates
The Oxford Union is renowned for its history of rigorous debate and intellectual discourse. By organizing a series of debates modeled after this prestigious institution, we aim to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to engage in meaningful conversations. These debates will:
– Encourage Critical Thinking: Participants will be prompted to think deeply about their own viewpoints and consider opposing arguments.
– Promote Understanding: By hearing directly from those with different opinions, participants can gain a better understanding of the complexities of various issues.
– Foster Respectful Dialogue: The format of these debates emphasizes respect and civility, ensuring that even the most contentious topics can be discussed without descending into hostility.

Nymfs Forum
Complementing the Oxford Union-style debates, Nymfs Forum will provide a digital platform for ongoing discussion and engagement. This forum will:
– Bridge Gaps: By allowing individuals to engage in conversations online, we can reach a broader audience and include those who may not be able to participate in live debates.
– Facilitate Continuous Dialogue: Unlike one-time debates, the forum allows for continuous, evolving discussions that can adapt to new information and changing perspectives.
– Encourage Diverse Participation: The online nature of the forum makes it accessible to a wide range of people, encouraging participation from various demographics and geographies.

Objectives
Our initiative aims to achieve several key objectives:

Reduce Misunderstandings: By providing a platform for clear and respectful communication, we hope to reduce the misunderstandings that often fuel polarization.
Build Empathy: Engaging with different perspectives helps build empathy, making it easier for individuals to see issues from others’ points of view.
Promote Collaboration: Through constructive dialogue, we can identify common ground and promote collaborative solutions to shared challenges.
Enhance Civic Engagement: By encouraging thoughtful discussion on important issues, we hope to enhance civic engagement and empower individuals to participate more actively in their communities.

Conclusion
Polarization is a significant barrier to progress, but through structured debate and continuous dialogue, we believe it can be overcome. By combining the rich tradition of Oxford Union debates with the accessibility and reach of Nymfs Forum, we aim to create a space where ideas can be exchanged freely and respectfully. Together, we can reduce polarization and build a more understanding, empathetic, and collaborative society.

Feeding the World
2024-07-13 08:00 - 09:00 | Auditorium
A documentary hosted by Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

Maths Dojo
2024-07-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Maths Club
Opening note: Aside from the 20.July 2024 tour of the Maths Dojo, the Mathematics Club of Science Circle is currently in SUMMER RECESS.
The FALL 2024 schedule of Maths Club will resume in the Maths Dojo at 4 PM PDT on Thursday 5.September 2024
and discuss AMORTIZATION, Finance, interest, paying off loans and the semi-complex relationships to geometric progressions

so come and discover in yourself the talents your ancestors bequeathed to you!

Welcome to MATHS DOJO – please take off your shoes and step onto the mat.
We will discuss a very important result in geometry and trigonometry:
namely, how one derives formulae for

SINE AND COSINE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS for SUM OF TWO ANGLES:
sin (α + β) and cos (α + β)

and how this GEOMETRIC INTERPRETATION relates to
MULTIPLICATION OF 2×2 MATRICES
as well as
MULTIPLICATION of COMPLEX NUMBERS IN THE COMPLEX PLANE

with mention of de Moivre’s Theorem of 1708
if Z = [ | Z | * [ cos ( 𝛉 ) + i sin ( 𝛉 ) ] ^ n

then Z ^ n = | Z | ^ n * [ cos (n 𝛉) + i sin (n 𝛉) ]

where symbols such as ” z ^ n ” indicates that z is multiplied by itself n times (raised to the nth power)
and | Z | is the “length” of the complex number Z, considered as a vector in the plane.
This becomes easily validated using PROOF BY INDUCTION (which is nearly as easy as counting n = 1, 2, 3, …, to infinity)!

Don’t be afraid! As The Staple Singers belted out: “Come on and help me! I’ll take you there! Let me take you there!” so let’s have fun with it!
—————————————————————–
Have a HAPPY SUMMER 2024!!!!!

Corn
2024-07-27 08:00 - 09:00 | Auditorium

Can we create the "perfect" farm?
2024-08-03 08:00 - 09:00 | Auditorium

Social Media Corrupts Human Interactions
2024-08-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Nymfs Forum
This event is part of a YouTube series of Oxford Union debates.
The debate presents a nuanced view of social media’s role in human interactions. While recognizing the potential for social media to corrupt by promoting superficial and polarized engagements, the discussion also highlights its capacity to connect, support, and inform. The overall impact is contingent on how individuals and societies manage and regulate the use of these platforms.

Factory farming, animal welfare and the future of modern agriculture
2024-08-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Auditorium

Artificial Intelligence Poses an Existential Threat
2024-08-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Nymfs Forum
This event is part of a YouTube series of Oxford Union debates.
The debate reveals a dichotomy of perspectives on AI’s potential to pose an existential threat. While the risks associated with uncontrollable and superintelligent AI are acknowledged, opponents argue that these risks are manageable through ethical, regulatory, and technological means. The discussion underscores the importance of proactive and balanced approaches to AI development to maximize benefits while mitigating potential dangers.

Woke Culture HAS Gone Too Far
2024-08-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Nymfs Forum
This event is part of a YouTube series of Oxford Union debates.
The debate concludes that while woke culture has made significant contributions to social justice and awareness, its approach can sometimes be overly punitive and intolerant of differing views. The challenge lies in finding a balance that promotes inclusivity and equality without undermining free speech and open dialogue. Both sides agree on the importance of continuing to address social injustices, but emphasize the need for a more nuanced and balanced approach.

The world of meat substitutes
2024-08-24 08:00 - 09:00 | Auditorium
Part of Stephen Gasior’s annual series on food.
A documentary hosted by Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

Humanity Should Populate Mars
2024-08-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Nymfs Forum
This event is part of a YouTube series of Oxford Union debates.
The debate concludes that while the idea of populating Mars is captivating and holds potential for significant scientific and cultural advancements, it is fraught with technical, ethical, and practical challenges. Proponents argue that the pursuit of Mars colonization aligns with humanity’s exploratory spirit and provides a safety net for existential risks. Opponents emphasize the need to prioritize addressing Earth’s immediate problems and question the feasibility and ethics of such an endeavor. A balanced approach that considers both the potential benefits and the formidable challenges is essential for making informed decisions about humanity’s future in space.
