Sci Pop Talks! Return May 15 at STEM Expo

Have you missed the Sci Pop Talks!?

Lucky for you on May 15th there will be a special one-day only series of Sci Pop Talks! held in Jorgensen Hall during the STEM Expo proceeding the National Science Olympiad.  All talks are FREE and open to the general public.  The schedule for that day is as follows:

Time	Jorgensen Hall 110	Jorgensen Hall 136
9:00 AM	Dancing Fire: Illuminating the Hidden Quantum World of Nanotechnology, Christian Bienek, UNL
9:30 AM		Did a Giant asteroid kill the Dinosaurs? Greg Snow, UNL
10:00 AM	Chemistry to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, Raychelle Burks Doane College & UNL
10:30 AM		Forensic Science: Fact or Fiction, Ashley Hall, UNL
11:00 AM	Chemistry to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, Raychelle Burks Doane College & UNL
11:30 AM		Fire & Explosions in Hollywood Films, Brad Elder, Doane College
12:00 PM	Comic Book Physics 101: Lesson 1: The Origin of Superman and Clues to the Planet Krypton, Dan Claes, UNL
12:30 PM		Fire & Explosions in Hollywood Films, Brad Elder, Doane College
1:00 PM	Book 8: Harry Potter and the Magic of Science, Rebecca Lai, UNL
1:30 PM		Nanoscale Science and Technology, Steve Ducharme, UNL

For related materials you can go to the official Sci Pop Talks! website where you can also view videos of 9 previous Sci Pop Talks! http://unl.libguides.com/scipoptalks.

Dancing Fire: Illuminating the Hidden Quantum World of Nanotechnology, Christian Bienek, UNL

We kick-off with an introduction to nanoscience and Feynman’s vision of nanotechnology. We will see today’s capabilities in fabrication of nanostructures and look at the tools making nanostructures visible and allow investigating their properties which enables some of the cutting-edge research done at UNL. We also look at the breathtaking prospects of future nanotechnology. We explore why the nanoworld is so exciting and introduce the concept of matter waves. A standing acoustic wave made visible by flames which dance to the sweet sound of an electric guitar illustrates this central concept of modern quantum mechanics.

 

Did a Giant Asteroid Kill the Dinosaurs? Greg Snow, UNL

One of Snow's hobbies is learning about the extinction of the dinosaurs and other mass extinctions in the history of the earth. Together we will examine the theory that an asteroid or comet the size of Mt. Everest struck Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 65 million year ago, creating a dust cloud that altered the earth's climate and killed the dinosaurs and 70 percent of all other living species. We'll also review other dinosaur extinction theories, which range from believable to preposterous, as put forth in the lively scientific debate surrounding their demise.

Forensic Science: Fact or Fiction, Ashley Hall, UNL

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  NCIS.  The New Detectives.  Forensic science is a staple in many popular shows, but do they get it right?  Not all the time, but if you look deeper than the flashy staging and witty dialogue, you can learn a good deal about the scientific principles that form the framework of forensic investigation.
 

Comic Book Physics 101: Lesson 1: The Origin of Superman and Clues to the Planet Krypton, Dan Claes, UNL

Join us as we explore the physics of Superman, his superpowers, and significant events in his history. We will explore the questions: How does Superman fly? What is source of his strength? What can we deduce about his native planet, Krypton?

Nanoscale Science and Technology, Steve Ducharme, UNL

Come learn about recent trends in nano-science and nano-technology, with an emphasis on innovations in materials science, electronics and optics. The talk will include demonstrations of: fluorescing quantum dots showing the quantum confinement energy effect; Buckyball models; and Nanogold.