2011 Events

Jan 18th, 2011 (Tue) Zoo - behind-the-scenes tour for Junior Academy student members! Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM A private behind-the-scenes tour will be provided to our Junior Academy student members (parents welcome!). Led by Jeff Ettling, Curator of Herpetology & Aquatics; Director, Center for Conservation of Near East Mountain Vipers; Director, Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation, Saint Louis Zoo. Conservation Efforts for Endangered Vipers: The Saint Louis Zoo is well known for its in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts for vipers inhabiting the Caucasus region. There is more going on off-exhibit at the Herpetarium than most people realize. Go behind the scenes with curator Jeff Ettling to get a sneak peak at the breeding programs for the Armenian viper and its closest relatives! Join this insider tour for Junior Academy student members. This is your own science briefing! Afterward, feel free to stay for the "Conservation Conversation" at the Living World where Jeff features the Viper habitats and conservation efforts! Meet in the lobby next to St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. Photo Credit: Saint Louis Zoo RSVP by January 14th to Peggy James Nacke 314-533-8291 or e-mail peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org This Junior Academy event is co-sponsored by:

Jan 18th, 2011 (Tue) Aiding Armenian Vipers Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Jeff Ettling, Curator of Herpetology & Aquatics; Director, Center for Conservation of Near East Mountain Vipers; Director, Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation, Saint Louis Zoo The Armenian viper, a medium-sized snake with a known range that includes Armenia, northwestern Iran, eastern Turkey, and northeastern Iraq, is in trouble in the wild. Agricultural activities have severely modified and fragmented their habitat; and the species is threatened by over-collection for the pet trade, human persecution and possibly warfare. In the mid- 1960’s population densities of Armenian vipers were estimated at 20 – 50 snakes per hectare. Current reports indicate population densities are 4 – 10 vipers per hectare and that populations are declining. Several Russian herpetologists have studied the ecology of the Armenian viper in the mountains of Armenia, and briefly described reproductive behavior and timing of mating; but, data on habitat use, home range size, movement patterns, seasonal activity and population structure are lacking. Given the fragmented distribution of the Armenian viper and the ever-increasing human impact on its population numbers and habitat, a comprehensive conservation management plan is needed. The Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute Center for Conservation of Near East Mountain Vipers has been collaborating with colleagues from the Armenian Academy of Sciences since 2004 on a long-term investigation of the spatial ecology and population structure of the Armenian viper. Come hear about what the team has learned about the natural history of this threatened species. Photo Credit: Saint Louis Zoo All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. For more information call 314-533-8586 - Note: no need to RSVP for this event. Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Jan 19th, 2011 (Wed) Celebrate BioBlitz! The findings of a 24-hour exploration of Forest Park! Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Ever wonder what animals and plants live in Forest Park? BioBlitz is a blend of science, celebration, education, community, and loads of fun. Biologists and skilled naturalists led public teams as they scoured the park's 1,371 acres to see what lives in its streams, praries, woods and grasslands. This is an evening to report the September findings! Join us if you were part of a team or if you love the outdoors and the jewel we know as Forest Park. Announcement of the next BioBlitz will be made! Check with your teacher - many are giving extra credit for attendance at this event as we will be discussing the many species in our region! To be held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. No need to RSVP. For more information call 314-533-8291 or email peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org With thanks to:

Jan 29th, 2011 (Sat) The Geography of Inequality: Historical Mapping with Colin Gordon Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lecture and Book Signing Books available in the Missouri History Museum shop. Author and Featured Speaker: Colin Gordon, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of History, University of Iowa; and author of, Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of the American City Colin Gordon, professor of history at the University of Iowa, uses historical mapping to explore the geography of inequality in 20th- and 21st-century St. Louis. His 2008 book, Mapping Decline, traces the complicity of private real estate restrictions, local planning and zoning and federal housing policies in the "white flight" of people and wealth from the central city. And it traces the inadequacy-and often sheer folly-of a generation of urban renewal, in which even programs and resources aimed at eradicating blight in the city ended up encouraging flight to the suburbs. The urban crisis, as this study of St. Louis makes clear, is not just a consequence of economic and demographic change; it is also the most profound political failure of our recent history. Mapping Decline is the first history of a modern American city to combine extensive local archival research with the latest geographic information system (GIS) digital mapping techniques. More than 75 full-color maps-rendered from census data, archival sources, case law, and local planning and property records-illustrate, in often stark and dramatic ways, the still-unfolding political history of our neglected cities. An interactive selection of maps is available at http://mappingdecline.lib.uiowa.edu To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Feb 2nd, 2011 (Wed) Left Out in the Cold: The Story of the Barrow Global Climate Change Research Lab in Barrow, Alaska Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM CANCELED DUE TO ICE STORM ...to be rescheduled as part of the 2011-2012 Science Seminar Series. (Look for details on-line Summer 2011) Janet Baum, AIA, Trustee, Academy of Science – St. Louis; retired founding partner of Health, Education + Research Associates, Inc.,; lead programmer and planner, Barrow Global Climate Change Research Lab The Inupiat Native Americans (Eskimos) have continuously inhabited the North Slope of Alaska for 10,000 years. Just a few summers ago, the permanent Arctic sea ice pack was only a few hundred yards off the coastline of Alaska. Now it lies over one hundred miles away, and the gap is increasing. For the Inupiat, traversing this gap for subsistence hunting in sealskin canoes poses great risk. Looking to find a way to provide steady occupations and income for their people (without resorting to oil drilling), the Inupiat commissioned the building of the Barrow, Alaska laboratory to study climate change. Through this, the Inupiat tribe is working to ensure their survival and preserve the Arctic landscape upon which they depend. The project lead programmer and planner on this project, retired HERA founding partner Janet Baum, tells the remarkable story of place, people and environmental preservation in Left Out in the Cold. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Feb 9th, 2011 (Wed) Stephen Hawking-- Right or Wrong? The Current Debate over God and the Origin of the Universe Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Featured Speaker: Michael McClymond, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Saint Louis University The Big Bang, says world-renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, in his new book, The Grand Design (2010), was the result of the laws of physics, and not the work of God. The question, he says, is whether or not the way the universe began was, “chosen by God for reasons we can’t understand, or was it determined by a law of science.” Dr. Hawking believes the second. Is he right? And how does his theory relate to the Big Bang Theory, which affirms t=0, or a first moment in the universe’s history? Saint Louis University professor and scientist-turned-theologian, Dr. Michael McClymond, shares his insights on the historical debates over God as cosmic Creator and the current state of scientific and theological discussion as he covers one of today’s most hotly debated issues in this fascinating look at, “The Current Debate over God and the Origin of the Universe. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Feb 12th, 2011 (Sat) The Cowry Collective Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Featured Speaker: Chinyere E. Oteh, founder, The Cowry Collective Cowry Collective founder, Chinyere E. Oteh, discusses the Collective, a growing time bank in St. Louis that allows members to turn their time into money by making service exchanges with each other. Attendees will have the opportunity to become members. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Feb 13th, 2011 (Sun) Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair - Honors Division Time: HONORS DIVISION - RESCHEDULED -Judges arrive at 9:30 am - Students arrive at 10:00 am All Honors Division Students have been notified of the new date Thank you to all judges! Judge Registration now open - Judges need to re-register Open to students who have pre-registered. For additional information, please contact Peggy James Nacke at 314-533-8291 or peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org

Feb 15th, 2011 (Tue) The Majesty of the Osage Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Jim Duncan, past Director of the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City Before European colonization, Missouri was home to the most powerful Native American nation west of the Mississippi— the Osage. Today, the Osage remain a prominent and vital nation. Author, historian, and anthropologist, Jim Duncan covers the long history of the Osage in Missouri, the people, their arts, and how the Osage are keeping their heritage alive on their reservation in Oklahoma. Presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, Splendid Heritage: Perspectives on American Indian Art on display at the Missouri History Museum, February 12, 2011 through April 30, 2011. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Feb 22nd, 2011 (Tue) Congo’s Curious Chimps Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Crickette Sanz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Physical Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Washington University in Saint Louis The lowland forests of the Congo Basin support an impressive array of primates, including the world's largest concentrations of great apes. Although Northern Republic of Congo has long been considered a stronghold for the conservation of central chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas, the fact is that these apes reside in a rapidly changing landscape. Most great ape populations in this region are likely to experience alteration of their habitat, the pressures of commercial bushmeat hunting, and/or emergence of disease. Due to these threats and a lack of knowledge of sympatric chimpanzees and gorillas, the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project was initiated in the forestry concession adjacent to the southern portion of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Photos Credit: The Goualougo Triangle Ape Project The widespread coexistence of central chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas has intrigued scientists for decades, but the details characterizing their relationship have remained elusive to field primatologists. The Goualougo Triangle is currently the only site in the lowland forests of the Congo Basin where one can directly observe both of these great apes within the same forest. In fact, researchers at the site have documented more inter-specific associations of these ape species than any other field study to-date. Field studies have also revealed a unique culture of complex tool using skills exhibited by chimpanzees in this region. Come hear about the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project’s efforts to promote the long-term conservation of both chimpanzees and gorillas through applied conservation research, enhanced protection of important ape populations and their habitats, and strengthening of local capacity to implement conservation programs. Click here for more on the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Registration not required. All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. For more information call 314-533-8586 - Note: no need to RSVP for this event. Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Feb 26th, 2011 (Sat) Computer Science Field Trip - What is Looking Glass? Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Creating Interactive Stories with Looking Glass Led by Caitlin Kelleher, PhD. Professor Kelleher joined Washington University in St. Louis in 2007 after her postdoctoral fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University. She worked throughout the summer months of 2000 in research and development at Walt Disney Imagineering. Does your student have an interest in creating interactive, 3D stories on their computer? At this event, we will introduce students to Looking Glass: a freely available program for creating 3D movies with drag-and-drop programming. Students will learn about setting up a 3D scene, adding characters into that scene, making the characters do things to form a story, and creating custom character animations. By the end of the event, students can produce their own YouTube video from the stories they create. Open to the first 20 Junior Academy students to RSVP Registration closed - this event is full - stay tuned for future computer science events! RSVP by e-mail to peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org Parking and building instructions will be e-mailed back to attendees.

Mar 1st, 2011 (Tue) Mother Nature’s Expert Witness: PhytoForensics-- How Plants Collect Evidence of Environmental Pollution Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Joel G. Burken, E.I.T., Ph.D., Professor of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering; Interim Director, Environmental Research Center; and Coordinator, Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Program, Missouri University of Science & Technology; and Missouri S & T Students Plants are intimately tied to their environment. They extract all that is needed to represent 99% of the world’s biomass. Collecting and storing chemicals and elements from the air, water, and soil, they are silent witnesses to acts of environmental contamination-- collecting and storing the surrounding environment’s unwanted pollutants and contaminants. The costs to investigate polluted sites, or detect an environment’s suspected contaminants are considerable. In the new field of PhytoForensics, novel analytic techniques are allowing us to rapidly, cheaply, and more accurately detect and remediate environmental pollutants to better our waters, our lands, and our health, with little or no ecological impact. To be held at: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. FREE parking in high school lot. STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. -- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Mar 2nd, 2011 (Wed) Re-Energizing America: Renewable Energy Solutions for the Future... an energizing and lively talk and book signing Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Dan D. Chiras, Ph.D., Founder and Director, The Evergreen Institute; President, Sustainable Systems Design, Inc.; and nationally known author of more than two dozen books on green building, residential renewable energy and sustainability Rising demand for oil and natural gas could cause devastating price increases and possibly result in major social, economic, and environmental disruptions. Evergreen Institute director and author, Dan Chiras, describes how we can avert disaster by turning to renewable energy now, talks about renewable energy’s potential to meet our needs, and how we can heat our homes, cook food, provide hot water and generate electricity via clean, affordable, and reliable renewable energy technologies. Books available for signing and purchase after the talk. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Mar 4th, 2011 (Fri) CSI Sparkles and Shines: Glitter as Forensic Evidence Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Robert D. Blackledge, former Naval Criminal Investigative Service Senior Chemist, NCIS Regional Forensic Laboratory – San Diego; Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Criminalistics Section; and editor, Forensic Analysis on the Cutting Edge: New Methods for Trace Evidence Analysis Hair, fiber, paint chips, broken glass fragments, they are CSI’s familiar finger-pointing trace evidence. But glitter, with its widespread use in arts and crafts, on clothing, in cosmetics, and in numerous clear plastic commercial products, is the ideal contact trace evidence in crime scene investigations. Former NCIS Senior Chemist, Robert Blackledge, talks about glitter, what it is, how it’s made, and how it’s found and collected from crime scenes; and he wraps up with several brief case histories in this fascinating look at the forensic science of glitter. Washington University in St. Louis Danforth Campus, Laboratory Sciences Building, Room 300 St. Louis, MO 63130 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Junior Academy members, middle and high school students and teachers welcome and encouraged to attend. Please note: This an open event, there will not be designated chaperones No need to RSVP - For more information contact Jeff Cornelius at jeff.cornelius@principia.edu, or call 618-374-5296. Sponsored by Academy of Science – St. Louis friend and partner, the St. Louis Section of the American Chemical Society www.stlacs.org.

Mar 10th, 2011 (Thu) Conservation International's work in the Brazilian Amazon Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Featured Speaker: Patty Baiao, Director of Amazon Programs, Conservation International Brown Bag Lunch Seminar (bring a lunch and drink) Saint Louis Zoo Monsanto Lecture Theater (lower level Living World) FREE and OPEN to HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS and ADULTS. Registration not required. For this event, Parking: $12 in the Zoo North Lot, or FREE in Forest Park Conservation International has been working in the Brazilian Amazon for over 10 years. The Amazon is the largest tropical forest in the world, harboring extraordinary biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services, such as Carbon storage, for the entire world. This amazing forest is also home to over 20 million people. CI's work has focused on demonstrating that people need nature to thrive. They are creating green economies in the region to promote social and economic development while preserving the region's natural capital. To do that, Conservation International has a strong science-based approach with established partnerships at all levels, from local and traditional communities, to state governments and large corporations. Conservation International Mission: Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity. About Patty Baiao’s Work: Patty Baiao, a PhD graduate of the University of Missouri – St. Louis, has returned to her native Brazil where she leads conservation efforts from Belem, Brazil, located on the equator near the mouth of the Amazon. These efforts have been unbelievably successful in stopping rainforest destruction. They have created local interest groups consisting of all the local stakeholders from indigenous peoples to towns and cities, to large corporations. These multi-ethnic and multi-background groups come up with the communal land management plans that have not only stopped, but reversed the destruction of rainforest in much of Amazonia. They have also been very successful with trading carbon credits on the global market. – Patty Parker, Des Lee Professor of Zoological Studies, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Fellow, Academy of Science – St. Louis Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Mar 11th, 2011 (Fri) Bed Bugs: Getting Reacquainted with an Old Antagonist Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Featured Speaker: Richard Houseman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Entomology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri - Columbia Bed bugs have been associated with humans since the beginning of civilization but many people born in the U.S. after 1960 had never seen a living bed bug until recently. There is a new resurgence of bed bug activity in the U.S. due to recent shifts in pesticide use, widespread travel, and urbanization. Urban entomologist, Dr. Richard M. Houseman, discusses the historical interactions and current challenges associated with this pesky, blood-sucking insect; examines issues surrounding the new epidemic; and covers the fascinating details of bed bug biology, feeding, and reproduction. You’ll learn how to prevent bringing bed bugs home and what to do if you find this unwanted guest living in your bed. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Mar 22nd, 2011 (Tue) Orangutan Conservation Research in Malaysia Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Harjinder Kler Hutan Hutan, a French grassroots non-profit organization, was founded in 1996 to develop and implement innovative and creative solutions to conserve the orangutan populations of Sabah, Malaysia. Together with the Sabah Wildlife Department, Hutan established the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project (KOCP), employing upwards of 40 local community members. With their research it is now known that orangutans can live and thrive in secondary forest (that has been previously logged or disturbed) rather than solely in primary un-logged or disturbed forest. KOCP has received financial support from the Saint Louis Zoo. Hutan also works to educate local villages, palm oil plantations and other agencies about the importance of rainforest and its inhabitants. By replanting areas of orangutan habitat they are re-establishing corridors for wildlife to safely travel within in the confines of the Lower Kinabatangan wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, Hutan employs Honorary Wildlife Wardens to patrol and monitor orangutan and elephant populations and aid with human-animal conflicts. Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium FREE and OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. Parking is FREE in ZOO North Lot or in Forest Park. Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Mar 23rd, 2011 (Wed) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM NOTE: Space is limited and we expect this program to fill up fast! Arrive early to guarantee your seat. Seat vouchers available at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Lecture and Book Signing Science Writer, Best-Selling Author, and Featured Speaker: Rebecca Skloot Science writer and best-selling author, Rebecca Skloot’s debut book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, took more than a decade to research and write, and instantly became a New York Times best-seller. In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Skloot tells the story of a poor Southern tobacco farmer, Henrietta Lacks, whom scientists know as HeLa. Her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though Henrietta has been dead for nearly sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped to lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Join best-selling author, Rebecca Skloot, as she demonstrates how the story of the Lacks family is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of, and the current debates over access to healthcare. She explores a wide spectrum of issues related to communication, research, legislation and policy in today’s modern scientific community, urges audiences to recognize the importance of adopting best practices in research and medicine, and discusses the ways in which effective communications can be used to bridge the gap between science and the general public. Insightful Q & A with Dr. Danielle N. Lee follows. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Mar 28th, 2011 (Mon) Darwin and Religion: Conflict versus Resolution Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D., adjunct Professor of Religious Studies in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis Explore the relationships between religion and the natural sciences from a historical perspective, with special emphasis on Darwin and contemporary issues raised by cosmology and evolutionary biology. Washington University Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Frank Flinn, describes the shift in science from the mechanical view of the universe (Galileo, Kepler, Newton) to the organic view (Hegel, Darwin). Briefly covering Darwin's and Wallace's discoveries and the first conflict between Samual Wilberforce, bishop of Oxford, and Thomas Huxley, Darwin's "bulldog," Dr. Flinn next moves on to the rise of Evangelical Fundamentalism and the literal interpretation of the Bible, leading to three stages of "faith-based science:"  Literal Biblicism, Creationism, and Intelligent Design.  He concludes with a discussion of the Dover Decision on the teaching of evolution in schools. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Mar 29th, 2011 (Tue) Patch-Burn Grazing: Is it Right for Missouri’s Remaining High Quality Prairies? Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Paul Nelson, Ecology and Land Management Planner, United States Forest Service Paul Nelson talks about the implementation of patch-burn grazing (a rotational system alternating grazers such as bison or cattle and the use of prescribed fire) on tall grass prairies within Missouri, some of the last remaining fragments of a once dominant ecosystem, and discusses some of the successes and dangers associated with this management practice. Patch-burn grazing, increasingly common on prairies throughout Missouri and the Midwest, is generally used to increase landscape heterogeneity. The result is a landscape that provides a variety of treatment types that theoretically allow for increased flora and fauna diversity. As of 2009, this system is currently being applied by the Missouri Department of Conservation on 11 different prairies managed by the Department, representing 17% of MDC managed prairies. Included are several designated Natural Areas such as Niawathe and Taberville prairies. Patch-burn grazing's impact upon floral composition of the treated natural areas has been the source of much contention lately. Paul Nelson is one of the premier ecologists in the State of Missouri and the author of, Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri, a classification system that describes Missouri's diverse ecosystems. Nelson has also served as lead illustrator of ten botanical books. This program is presented as joint venture between the Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park Forever, and the Missouri Native Plant Society Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium FREE and OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. Parking is FREE in ZOO North Lot or in Forest Park. Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Mar 31st, 2011 (Thu) Mysteries of the Dark Universe Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Rocky Kolb, Arthur Holly Compton Distinguished SErvice Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Chicago. Ninety-five percent of the universe is missing! Astronomical observations suggest that most of the mass of the universe is in a mysterious form called dark matter and most of the energy in the universe is in an even more mysterious form called dark energy. Unlocking the secrets of dark matter and dark energy will illuminate the nature of space and time and connect the quantum with the cosmos. Open to the public with a special invitation to Academy of Science Junior Academy of Science Students. Junior Academy Students are invited to "meet and greet" the speaker! Location: Washington University in St. Louis McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences Whitaker Hall, Room 100 Junior Academy students RSVP to peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org to be included in the "meet and greet!"

Apr 6th, 2011 (Wed) Squeaks and Scents: The Neurobiology of Animal Social Communication Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Timothy E. Holy, Ph.D., 2009 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Innovation Award recipient, Academy of Science – St. Louis; Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine In attempting to understand animal communication, we are confronted by fundamental questions: What are the signals? What do they convey? How are they produced? How does the brain interpret these signals and use them to guide behavior? Scientists hope that studies of social communication in animals may lead to a better understanding of the natural world and of the brain itself. Neurobiologist, Dr. Timothy Holy, gives us the inside scoop on the neurobiology of animal social communication, with an emphasis on two examples of communication among mice: chemical signals, often called pheromones, and “courtship songs” sung at frequencies too high to be detected by human ears. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Apr 8th, 2011 (Fri) Saxon Transylvania: Lost World and Botanical Paradise - The Missouri Botanical Garden’s 2011 John Dwyer Lecture in Biology Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Featured Speaker: Dr. John R. Akeroyd, botanist, conservationist, and author of, The Historic Countryside of the Saxon Villages Lecture and Book Signing An expert on European plants, Dr. John Akeroyd is devoted to the promotion of sustainable farming and conservation of unique, plant-rich countryside. In the remote Saxon villages of southern Transylvania, it’s an older Europe where species-rich plant and animal communities thrive alongside traditional agriculture. Dr. Akeroyd offers compelling information on the agricultural systems of Transylvania, Romania and other European countries, covering sustainable farming in communities and plant usage, in supporting rural culture. And he talks about current projects that aim to conserve both biodiversity and the European farming communities that have been maintained for more than 800 years. “I first visited Romania in June 2000. Within two hours, on my first walk, I knew I’d discovered the finest wildflower meadows in Europe.” -- Dr. John Akeroyd Since 1987, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s John Dwyer Lecture in Biology has been honoring the memory of Dr. John Dwyer (1915-2005), a professor of biology at St. Louis University for 32 years and former research associate of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden Monsanto Center 4500 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. Parking is FREE in the Monsanto Center lot. The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, just south of I-44 at Vandeventer-Kingshighway (exit #287B). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Dec. 25. Grounds open at 7 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays (exception: special admission rate events). Admission is $8; free children ages 12 and under and Garden members. St. Louis City and County residents are $4 and free Wednesdays and Saturdays until noon (exception: special admission rate events - third weekend of May, Labor Day weekend, and first weekend of October). Park for free on site and two blocks west at the Shaw-Vandeventer intersection. The Garden is easily accessible by taking the MetroLink commuter rail line to the Central West End station and picking up a Metro bus (www.metrostlouis.org). For general information, log on to www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recording at (314) 577-9400 or 1 (800) 642-8842. For membership information, visit www.mobot.org/membership call (314) 577-5118 during weekday business hours. For volunteer opportunities, visit www.mobot.org/volunteer or call (314) 577-5187. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a tobacco-free environment.

Apr 13th, 2011 (Wed) 2011 Academy of Science - Outstanding Scientist Award Dinner Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM 2011 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Awards to be presented at the Awards Dinner April 13, 2011 at the Chase Park Plaza For Details call Kat Dockery 314-533-8586

Apr 16th, 2011 (Sat) BioBlitz in Creve Coeur Park! Time: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Academy of Science of St. Louis leads a baseline BioBlitz at Creve Coeur Park. This is a 6-hour, citizen science urban wildlife flash exploration and inventory of the biodiversity of Park’s plant and animal life. This is the Park’s first BioBlitz. Teams of public volunteers led by biologists, naturalists and environmental enthusiasts search natural areas within the park, listing as many different species as they can find. At the end of the day, participants have a new appreciation of one of St. Louis’ most treasured parks.http://academyofsciencestl.org/initiatives/bioblitz/creve_coeur_park/

Apr 19th, 2011 (Tue) Looking for Life Beyond Earth Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Pamela Gay, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville; astronomer, writer, and podcaster. Astronomy Cast, www.AstronomyCast.com Jodie Foster's character in the movie Contact, considers a universe without life "an awful waste of space." Many scientists agree with this rather non-scientific statement; and today, telescopes around the world, on the surface and in orbit, look for signs of life in space. Some of these searches are remarkably close to home--Future Mars missions are designed to look for signs of life on the Red Planet. The planetary science community is seeking funding to look for life under the ice of Jupiter's moon, Europa. Even Saturn's hazy moon Titan may be a possible home for bacterial biology. While all these not-too-distant worlds may possess evidence of past or present life, we know they aren't host to intelligent life like our own. To find that, we need to look outward, searching for signs of life on planets orbiting alien stars. Astronomer Dr. Pamela Gay tells us how scientists decide where to look for life, talks about the techniques they use, and how we guess at the probability of actually finding--Life Beyond Earth. Learn more about Dr. Gay by visiting her blog at http://www.StarStryder.com Photos: © Pamela Gay To be held at: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater 801 West Essex Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. FREE parking in high school lot. STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. Junior Academy of Science-- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Apr 19th, 2011 (Tue) Artifacts, Rock Art Imagery, and the Cosmos Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Carol Diaz-Granados, Ph.D., Research Associate and lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis American Indian Art focuses on the beautiful and enigmatic arts and artifacts of America's first peoples. These arts include pottery, metalwork, shellwork, and rock art. Anthropologist and archaeologist, Dr. Carol Diaz-Granados, shows a variety of American Indian artifacts, their counterparts in the rock art record, and offers interpretations of meaning gathered from the ethnographic records. Presented in conjunction with the travelling exhibition, Splendid Heritage: Perspectives on American Indian Art on display at the Missouri History Museum, February 12, 2011 through April 30, 2011. For more on Splendid Heritage, visit http://www.mohistory.org/node/5265 To be held at: Missouri History Museum – AT&T Room Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Apr 21st, 2011 (Thu) I Forgot to Pick up the Milk: Some Surprising Findings on Memory and Aging, and Strategies for Improving Memory Seminar and book signing Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker: Mark McDaniel, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis and author, Prospective Memory and Memory Fitness: A Guide for Successful Aging A forgotten telephone number, a familiar face and a name you can’t recall, remembering to pay a due bill, or pick up bread on the way home, remembering the way home-- do I remember the way home? Memory is central to our daily lives. Lapses in memory can be distressing, and some-- potentially alarming. Do all adults experience memory difficulties as they age? What is the difference between normal memory change and the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Is it possible to stem, or even reverse memory decline? Washington University psychologist and memory expert, Dr. Mark McDaniel provides insight into what the scientific research suggests will happen to our memory capabilities as we age, explores the memory challenges we all face as we grow older, and offers the layperson suggestions and strategies for improving memory. Don’t forget to join us for a fascinating look at memory and aging. Copies of Memory Fitness: A Guide for Successful Aging, are available for purchase and signing by the author. To be held at: Kirkwood OASIS - Kirkwood Community Center 111 South Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Apr 23rd, 2011 (Sat) The Moral Underground: How Ordinary Americans Subvert an Unfair Economy Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Author and Featured Speaker: Lisa Dodson, Ph.D., Research Professor, Department of Sociology, Boston College A manager at a chain pizza restaurant pads his minimum-wage employees paychecks; a supervisor at a big box store secretly sends groceries home with a worker, who despite having a full-time job, can't afford to feed her family; a pediatrician fudges an insurance form to get… care for the uninsured mother of her patient. Based on research about hidden resistance to an economy that harms millions of working families, The Moral Underground, is a fascinating look at civil disobedience by teachers, supervisors, health-care professionals and managers who bend the rules—and even break the law—to support those in need. Dodson discusses economic disobedience, her take on the moral paradox of breaking rules to do good, and why she believes it is in the tradition of the underground railroad and other acts of civil disobedience that have propelled social justice movements throughout history. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

May 3rd, 2011 (Tue) -- May 7th, 2011 (Sat) Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair Time: Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair to be held at Queeny Park. Top students from local fairs will be recommended by their school to compete at the regional fair for ribbons and over $50,000 in special awards and scholarships! Visit Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair website for details!

May 10th, 2011 (Tue) Among Giants, A Life with Whales - Talk and Book Signing Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Charles "Flip" Nicklin, Marine Biologist Widely regarded as the world’s leading cetacean photographer, Flip Nicklin, grew up around his father’s small dive shop on the California coast. In 1976, he was signed on as a deckhand and diving assistant for a three-month shoot with photographers Bates Littlehales and Jonathan Blair. He went on to become National Geographic’s premiere whale photographer and marine mammal specialist. Over the last quarter century Flip has photographed more than thirty species of whales and dolphins, some so endangered their very survival is in question. His ability to free dive to depths of up to 90 feet (27 meters) allows him to swim near enough to record whale behavior without interrupting it. In 2001 he co-founded Whale Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and public education. The mission of Whale Trust is to promote, support, and conduct scientific research on whales and the marine environment and develop public education programs based directly on results of scientific research. Whale Trust is committed to promoting and fostering Maui as a unique living laboratory for whale research and the marine environment. For information, please visit http://www.whaletrust.org Publications include: Among Giants, A Life with Whales – This is an adventure story, a coming-of-age story, a scientific story, and most of all, a story about the most remarkable creatures on the plant – whales. Face to Face with Whales - You slip over the side of your boat, descending deep into the dark realm of the Earth’s largest creature. Then the whale starts to sing, just feet away from you. You record the sounds, hoping one day to understand their language. Their music is a rare glimpse of this majestic mammal’s unknown world. Photographer Flip Nicklin brings you face to face with whales as they communicate, nurse their young, and surface dramatically for air. Meet these intelligent, social creatures in their natural habitat; learn of the different kinds of whales, from humpbacks to belugas; discover how we can aid their recovery from years of overhunting; and how we can protect their environment. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by: Explorers Club St. Louis

May 21st, 2011 (Sat) Black Wealth/White Wealth: A New Perspective on Racial Inequality Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lecture and Book Signing Author and Featured Speaker: Melvin L. Oliver, Ph.D., SAGE Sara Miller McCune Dean of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara An expert on racial and urban inequality and poverty, Dr. Oliver is the co-author (with Thomas M. Shapiro) of Black Wealth/White Wealth: A New Perspective on Racial Inequality. In this fascinating look at wealth in America—how assets are created, expanded and preserved—a deep economic divide emerges between blacks and whites. Dr. Oliver demonstrates how an analysis of private wealth uncovers a revealing story about race in our country. Lecture at 1:00 pm Book Signing at 2:00 pm To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

May 28th, 2011 (Sat) The Physics and Chemistry of the Nuclear Disaster at Fukushima Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Featured Speaker: Lee G. Sobotka, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Washington University in St. Louis On March 11, Japan received two insults from mother nature: an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale and a tsunami measuring over 40 feet. As the primary and main back-up safety systems at the first (Dai-ichi) nuclear power station in Fukushima failed to keep three reactors and at least one spent fuel pond cool, a man-made nuclear disaster ensued. Washington University Chemistry and Physics Professor, Lee Sobotka, covers the physical science issues and presents the chemistry and physics of this third disaster. Learn how power plants are supposed to work, what went wrong and what must be done to mitigate the toxic and lethal consequences of this still unfolding tragedy. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Parking in Washington University Lots or metered on Brookings Drive Space is limited. Washington University in St. Louis Crow Hall, Room 201 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130 (east end of campus directly north of Brookings Hall) No need to RSVP for this event On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jun 18th, 2011 (Sat) The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lecture and Book Signing Author and Featured Speaker: Isabel Wilkerson, Director, Narrative Non-fiction and Professor of Journalism, College of Communication, Boston University; former New York Times Chicago Bureau Chief and 1st black woman Pulitzer Prize winning feature writer A New York Times 10 Best Books of 2010 Lecture at 1:00 pm Book Signing at 2:00 pm To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Jun 21st, 2011 (Tue) From Slavery to Hip Hop: Culture, Controversy, and the Politics of Language Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: John Baugh, Ph.D., Margaret Bush Wilson Professor in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis; Professor Emeritus of Education and Linguistics, Stanford University The linguistic consequences of slavery are described, including the educational controversy surrounding Ebonics, a term that was first coined in St. Louis. The discussion explores the emerging global influence of Hip Hop among youth throughout the world. African American oral traditions are also introduced, culminating with some of the inspirational speeches that have been delivered by Michelle and Barak Obama. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park.

Jun 28th, 2011 (Tue) Adventures in Medicine! Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Have you thought about Medicine as a career? Maybe you would just like to find out more. Join us at the Saint Louis University Anatomy Lab for Pig Heart Dissection. The AIMS (Adventures in Medicine and Science) Program is a component of Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education in St. Louis University's School of Medicine - Center for Anatomic Science and Education. Cost is minimal at $15 each. (Free to Junior Academy Gateway members!) REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - THIS EVENT IS FULL RSVP by June 23rd Earn 25 achievement points IMPORTANT: Lab attire required - no open toe shoes or sandals are permitted in the laboratory. Open to Junior Academy members only Send e-mail RSVP to peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org We will e-mail your confirmation with map back to you

Jun 30th, 2011 (Thu) A Big Muddy Adventure: Maple Island Canoe Expedition Time: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM Program: 8:00 AM Audubon Migratory Birds and Wildlife Workshop (Audubon Center at Riverlands) 9:15 AM Canoe Launch Just downstream a short stretch from the Alton Lock and Dam is Maple Island, part of the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Accessible only by water, this unique and historic river island ecosystem still retains its natural state. Flocks of migratory birds use the island and its backwaters and wetlands as a resting place and hunting grounds. Join us, along with River Guides and Paddlers, for a Big Muddy Adventure as we canoe the Mighty Mississippi in 30-foot-long handmade canoes. Cost: $35 per person. Snacks and beverages provided. Registration required. Limited to 20 participants: 1st 10 OASIS and 1st 10 Academy of Science – STL. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Note: rain date reschedule if needed. REGISTRATION CLOSED - THIS EVENT IS FULL On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jul 7th, 2011 (Thu) Symbols of Power: From Crowns to Veiled Prophet Gowns Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Panel Discussion Knowledgable facilitrainers from the National Conference for Community and Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis examine intersections of race and class in popular symbols. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Jul 8th, 2011 (Fri) French Explorers: Early St. Louis History Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Jim Jordan, Senior Coordinator Continuing Education, University of Missouri - St. Louis Immerse yourself in a time of French explorers in the wild land that would become St. Louis. Experience an interpretive lecture about Marquette and Joliet and the lifestyle of these explorers. How did they avoid the evil Manitou that inhabited the Mississippi River in Missouri? Why was St Louis so important in the early fur trade? Which countries had political jurisdiction over St Louis? Come and discover our rich French and fur trade connections through stories and song along with a Mercantile Library docent program that examines the fur trading post that developed into St. Louis. To be held at: University of Missouri - St. Louis J. C. Penny Conference Center, Room 126 One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121 Space is limited FREE to the first 10 registrants, $12 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jul 15th, 2011 (Fri) A Big Muddy Adventure: Maple Island Canoe Expedition Time: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM Disappointed you missed the boat? June's Maple Island Canoe Expedition filled fast, so we've scheduled a second Big Muddy Adventure. Sign up early to reserve your spot! Program: 8:00 AM Audubon Migratory Birds and Wildlife Workshop (Audubon Center at Riverlands) 9:15 AM Canoe Launch Just downstream a short stretch from the Alton Lock and Dam is Maple Island, part of the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Accessible only by water, this unique and historic river island ecosystem still retains its natural state. Flocks of migratory birds use the island and its backwaters and wetlands as a resting place and hunting grounds. Join us, along with River Guides and Paddlers, for a Big Muddy Adventure as we canoe the Mighty Mississippi in 30-foot-long handmade canoes. Cost: $35 per person. Snacks and beverages provided. Registration required. Limited to 20 participants: 1st 10 OASIS and 1st 10 Academy of Science – STL. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Note: rain date reschedule if needed. On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jul 19th, 2011 (Tue) Cognitive Changes in Healthy Aging and Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker:  David Balota, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Neurology, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Psychology and Neurology Professor, Dr. David Balota, covers recent advances in our understanding of the changes that occur in memory and attention in both healthy aging and early stage Alzheimer's disease.  He talks about the underlying neural changes that appear to account for these changes and provides an overview of possible lifestyle factors that appear to mitigate changes in memory and attention. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jul 20th, 2011 (Wed) Spontaneous Challenge: Exploring Architecture! Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Led by Janet Baum, AIA, Harvard Instructor, Lecturer at Washington University, Sam Fox School of Architecture and Trustee, Academy of Science-St. Louis, students will design and build their own structure with materials provided! Friendly competition and prizes for all! Photo Credit: Thomas Winkler Architecture careers combine art and science into the design of spaces and environments. Architects determine needs for buildings and structures, and transform them into concepts for designs. Join us for this hands-on afternoon of design as you explore the possibilities of a career in Architecture. Janet has managed projects all over the world and co-authored Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health and Safety Considerations. Free! Open to Junior Academy members Registration closed - this event is full

Aug 5th, 2011 (Fri) Star Party & Geocaching - Overnight at Shaw Nature Reserve! Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 AM The STAR PARTY is an annual favorite! Junior Academy students and their families (over age 7) will be welcomed with a bar-b-q followed by Geocaching & a night hike! Rich Hauermann, Administrative Officer, Washington University Earth and Planetary Science, the St. Louis Astronomical Society and NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium, will provide an overview of the night sky followed by telescope viewing. Be prepared to stay up late. Let's hope for good weather and a clear sky! Photo Credit: NASA Cost is minimal at $30 each - includes: *Welcome bar-b-q *Geocaching (GPS & Treasurers provided!) *Night in historic log cabin*"Night Sky" program and telescope viewing *Snacks *Continental breakfast Note: All students need to be accompanied by at least one adult Registration closed - this event is full

Aug 23rd, 2011 (Tue) Personal Finance: The Building Blocks of Financial Security Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Dr. Sharon Laux, Associate Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Education in the Department of Economics at the University of Missouri--St. Louis, discusses strategies to take control of your financial situation and rebuild for the future To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Aug 30th, 2011 (Tue) Across the Divide: Navigating the Digital Revolution as a Woman, Entrepreneur and CEO Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- lecture and book signing Featured Speaker: Susan S. Elliott, Founder & Chair, SSE, Inc., and author, Across the Divide: Navigating the Digital Revolution as a Woman, Entrepreneur and CEO Hear the story of a pioneering woman who got in on the ground floor of the digital revolution to become one of its leaders! In 1958 Susan Elliott joined IBM as one of the company’s first female programmers. Forced to leave in 1966 when she became pregnant, she founded technology and education firm SSE, Inc., in the midst of a decade that was known for innovative technology, but not for women leaders in the field. Today, St. Louis-based SSE is one of the fastest growing technology and education firms in mid-America, recognized globally for its work in the fields of eLearning, blended learning, network infrastructure and technology management services. Meet Ms. Elliott, hear her story, and have the opportunity to buy a signed copy of her new book, Across the Divide: Navigating the Digital Revolution as a Woman, Entrepreneur and CEO, following the presentation. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE, but REGISTRATION REQUIRED. When registering, please state that you are a member or friend of the Academy of Science – St. Louis. Call 314-539-4556 to register. Space is limited. OPEN to ALL ACADEMY MEMBERS and FRIENDS, students and JUNIOR ACADEMY members. On Science Series co-sponsor:

Sep 17th, 2011 (Sat) Waiting for "Superman" Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Film Davis Guggenheim's documentary explores the tragic ways in which the American public education system is failing our nation's children, and explores the roles that charter schools and education reformers could play in offering hope for the future. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Sep 22nd, 2011 (Thu) Grevy’s Zebra Trust Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Belinda Low, MSc, Certified Educator in Holistic Management; co-founder and Executive Director, Grevy’s Zebra Trust Belinda Low with Samburu elder. Photo by Kim Diment The exceptional Grevy’s zebra is uniquely adapted to survive in the harsh arid and semi-arid climates of northern Kenya and Ethiopia. It is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, declining over the last three decades from 15,000 to fewer than 2,500. In response to this decline, the Grevy’s Zebra Trust was established in 2007. The Trust’s co-founder and Executive Director, Belinda Low, talks about the current status of the Grevy’s zebra and the work being done to enhance its survival in partnership with local communities. An indicator of declining ecosystem health, its survival and the future of pastoralist livelihoods are inextricably linked. Ms. Low reflects on the growing community spirit for conserving the Grevy’s zebra and tracks the innovative work of the local people in safeguarding this extraordinary species from extinction. Zebra Photo/s courtesy, Saint Louis Zoo Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Conservation Conversations is Co-sponsored by:

Sep 23rd, 2011 (Fri) Creeks & Squeaks! A two-part adventure in Forest Park! Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Junior Academy members join scientists/enthusiasts and endangered species biologists for an Evening of Adventure! Join CH2MHILL, an international engineering, construction, and operations firm, in increasing awareness of water quality issues through support of World Water Monitoring Day. Geologists, engineers and other scientists will be on hand to discuss the significance of the sampling. We will use different methods to collect the data, and discuss important scientific concepts such as accuracy, precision and reproducibility of the results. CH2MHILL designed many aspects of the new waterways throughout the Forest Park and established water quality objectives and best practices to improve the water quality of the park and enhance the biodiversity of the system. Testing kits provided. Join the hunt for endangered bats in Forest Park! An Endangered Species Biologist, Bree McMurray, from Missouri Department of Transportation and Shelly Colatskie from Missouri Department of Conservation will catch bats and teach students the tricks of navigating in the dark and hunting by sound. You may even get to help hoist the huge net! SPACE IS LIMITED - RSVP EARLY

Sep 29th, 2011 (Thu) Fire and Ice: The Impact of Comets on Life Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Tour the Tables in the Lobby outside the Theater from 6 PM - 7 PM and Visit with... Reps from Community Organizations to learn about Summer and other Science Opportunities for Students. 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Featured Speaker: Erika Gibb, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis Comets—they’ve often gotten a bad rap—film and science fiction novels portray doomsday impact scenarios of death and destruction, and within the last century, at least three fireball impacts are reported to have caused significant damage on the ground. They may indeed have caused catastrophic destruction and they may yet again, but could they also be the reason there is life here on our planet? Comets carry the ingredients for life and they may have delivered them to the ancient Earth. University of Missouri – St. Louis astrobiologist, Dr. Erika Gibb discusses how comets are studied, what we know about them, what contributions they may have made to Earth’s oceans and biosphere, and what we still have to learn. Photo: W. M. Keck Observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Photos courtesy of Dr. Erika Gibb. Presented in partnership with the University of Missouri - St. Louis STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. Junior Academy of Science-- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Location: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE parking in Kirkwood High School lots. FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Oct 5th, 2011 (Wed) Green Home Tour Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Jim Jordan, Senior Coordinator Continuing Education, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Director for Educational Outreach, Show Me Solar Begin the morning at the Missouri Botanical Garden where Show Me Solar Educational Outreach Director, Jim Jordan, interprets the Garden’s energy conservation exhibits. Then we’re off to visit two solar homes: a newly constructed home that incorporated sustainability with universal accessibility design, and an older brick house that has been retrofitted for solar and other sustainability aspects. End with lunch, on your own, at the Garden’s own Sassafras Cafe, the first certified Green Restaurant in the state of Missouri. Meet at the Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110 COST: $25 per person (includes Garden exhibits and transportation to and from homes on tour) OPEN to ALL. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Registration deadline is Thursday, September 29. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Green Energy Series co-sponsors: and

Oct 5th, 2011 (Wed) Plants as Medicines: From Obsolete to Leading Edge Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Wendy Applequist, PhD, Assistant Curator, William L. Brown Center, Missouri Botanical Garden For most of human history, the words “medicine” and “herb” have been virtually synonymous. Today, although traditional botanical medicines are sometimes scorned as old-fashioned, scientific studies increasingly demonstrate their value — though consumers often have no clear way to judge a medicinal product’s quality. Plants also serve as sources of pharmaceutical drugs; unfortunately, it is certain that lifesaving compounds not yet discovered will be forever lost to humanity through the extinction of thousands of species in the next century. Missouri Botanical Garden botanist, Wendy Applequist, covers the past, present, and future contributions of plants to human health and well-being in this fascinating look at Plants as Medicine. Photo: Sutherlandia frutescens (cancerbush), a South African plants used by AIDS patient Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Science Seminar Series is Co-sponsored by:

Oct 8th, 2011 (Sat) The Impact and Contributions of the Latino Market in the U.S. Economy Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM PROGRAM: 1 - 4 PM Speakers & Q&A 4 - 5 PM Dance Performance In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Belas Artes Latino Legacy Project presents a cultural, educational, and entertaining event with offerings by leaders and authorities from governmental, educational, and business sectors regarding Latinos and the U.S. economy. Wrapping up the afternoon is the musical Musica Caliente, featuring professional musicians and dancers performing the five different styles of Latin music and dance featured on the U.S. Postal Service’s 2011 stamps honoring legendary performers of the Latin sound. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – MacDermott Grand Hall and Bank of Ameirca Atrium Foyer Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Oct 10th, 2011 (Mon) Giving Back Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Even if you've never sewn before, you can participate in national service by making a quilt for a combat veteran. A "coach" will take you under her wing, bringing her sewing machine and other equipment and helping you every step of the way. She'll do the cutting, pinning, and pressing, guiding you as you make easy patchwork blocks. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Bank of Ameirca Atrium Foyer Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Oct 10th, 2011 (Mon) Money, Myths & Man-Eaters: Researching Carnivore Ecology and Conflict in Tanzania’s Ruaha Landscape Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Amy Dickman, PhD, Kaplan Senior Research Fellow in Field Conservation, Oxford University; 2009 Courvoisier Future 500 “Top 50” Young People in Science & Education Photo: Amy Dickman and Barabaig warriors Following her Masters and PhD work on human-carnivore conflict supported by the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute and with more than 13 years experience working with large carnivores in Africa, specializing in big cats, Amy Dickman established the Ruaha Carnivore Project in 2009 in Tanzania. The Ruaha landscape is one of the most important areas in the world for lions, leopards and cheetahs, and the Saint Louis Zoo is still supporting Amy and her Tanzanian team as they research the ecology of these vital populations, and work to reduce the pressing threat of human-carnivore conflict in this critical area. Amy helped create the Global Cheetah Action Plan, the Regional Conservation Strategies for cheetahs and African wild dogs in Eastern and Southern Africa, and National Action Plans for cheetahs and other carnivores in Kenya, Tanzania and Southern Sudan. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Conservation Conversations is Co-sponsored by:

Oct 11th, 2011 (Tue) Innovations in Conservation: Planning for Natural Diversity in Urban Environments Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Angie Weber, MS, Community Conservation Planner, Missouri Department of Conservation Photo: Operation Brightside Demonstration Garden Finding ways to live with nature is an ever-increasing challenge today, especially in urban areas. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Community Conservation Team, comprised of regional conservation department staff, educates developers, consultants and local government representatives about the social, environmental and economic impacts of common development practices and the benefits of the alternatives. In order to help people in urban areas connect with nature in their everyday lives, encourage resource-friendly development, and cultivate natural diversity, the Missouri Conservation Department promotes community conservation. Join Community Conservation Planner, Angie Weber as she demonstrates projects, planning, and funding opportunities that restore natural diversity in the St. Louis area-- opportunities that can be used in areas before, during, and after development. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Conservation Conversations is Co-sponsored by:

Oct 12th, 2011 (Wed) What Counts as Scientific Evidence? or, How a Medical Article on Pentecostal Healing in Africa Kicked Over the Hornets’ Nest Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Michael McClymond, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Saint Louis University In 2009, Dr. Michael McClymond from Saint Louis University went as part of a three-person faculty team—including a neuroscientist, an historian, and a theologian—to Mozambique Africa to investigate claims that the Pentecostal laying-on-of-hands and prayer for the sick was effective in bringing about sudden, dramatic improvements in vision and hearing in many cases. When their study showed positive results, and their findings found their way into a peer-reviewed medical journal article, there was international media interest that stretched from Toronto to India and Indonesia. A firestorm of criticism also erupted online from skeptics who held that these results could not possibly have been genuine. Can prayer have a measurable impact on healing? And what should or should not count as scientific evidence in favor of such a claim? You won’t want to miss this investigative look at the healing power of prayer. Copies of the peer-reviewed journal article will be available for participants. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants (free spots full). Cost is $9 per person. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Oct 13th, 2011 (Thu) Snapshot in Time: Geologic Secrets of the Danville, Illinois, Fossilized Forest Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Scott D. Elrick, Geologist, Illinois State Geological Survey A 300-million-year-old Carboniferous fossilized forest discovery opens a wide window into the past. It’s a rare opportunity for an up-close look at this rare find preserved in the roof of an underground coal mine near the town of Danville, Illinois. The forest, covering approximately 25 square kilometers, is probably the largest intact rainforest from the Pennsylvanian Period ever to be discovered; and its sheer size affords an unprecedented view of ancient forest life. Illinois State Geological Survey geologist, Scott Elrick, showcases a photographic array of some of the rainforest’s beautifully preserved and somewhat bizarre plants, many of which are extinct today. From the exposures of plants and their encapsulating geology, a great deal can be learned about the ancient environmental conditions in which they formed and the coal that they left behind. Elrick talks about the geology of this amazing underground discovery and discusses the tectonic and climatic factors that made these conditions possible. Location: Belleville East High School Performing Arts Center FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. Belleville East High School Performing Arts Center, 2555 West Boulevard, Belleville, IL 62221 Parking is FREE in school lot. NABT Biology Club Series co-sponsors:

Oct 14th, 2011 (Fri) Lowell Thomas Science Symposium Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Exploring the World’s Greatest Mysteries Symposium Cost: $25 adults, $10 students Academy of Science of St. Louis friend and partner, The Explorers Club, presents Lowell Thomas Science Symposium -- The symposium will be moderated by Robert R. Archibald, Ph.D., with the 2011 Lowell Thomas Awardees making presentations followed by a Q&A panel discussion. Read more 7:00 pm -9:00 pm Reception Cost: $70 for both Symposium and reception Advanced Reservation required.

Oct 15th, 2011 (Sat) The Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Awards Dinner Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM For the first time, the venerable international Explorers Club will present its prestigious Lowell Thomas awards in St. Louis at a gala dinner on October 15. The awards, established in honor of the journalist and broadcaster who made Lawrence of Arabia famous, have been given in New York since their establishment in 1980. The St. Louis Academy of Science and the St. Louis chapter of the Explorers Club are co-sponsors of the event. Titled “Exploring the World’s Greatest Mysteries,” the festivities will take place from October 14-16. The awards dinner and a scientific symposium are open to the public. “Considering the nearby discovery of Cahokia Mounds, and St. Louis’ role as home base for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the city is a fitting location for our first awards dinner outside of New York, “ said Lorie Karnath, president of the Explorers Club and Rolex Watch, USA. Members of the Explorers Club, founded in 1904 by illustrious explorers of the time, have accomplished a number of ‘firsts.’ Among them are firsts to both north and south poles, first to the summit of Mount Everest, and first to the surface of the moon. Read more 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Lowell Thomas Dinner Cost: see website for ticket levels Dinner attire is black tie or native dress. The Master of Ceremonies will be the Club’s Honorary Chairman, Jim Fowler MED’66. Advanced Reservation required.

Oct 18th, 2011 (Tue) Reclaiming and Recycling Textiles: A Zero-Waste Goal Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Jana Hawley, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair, Textile and Apparel Management, University of Missouri - Columbia; President, International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA); Advisor, International Textile Recycling Conference; Board Member, Council for Textile Recycling The textile recycling industry is one of the oldest and most established recycling industries in the world; yet few people understand the industry, its myriad players, or reclaimed textile products in general. Throughout the world, post-consumer textile and apparel products are salvaged as reclaimed textiles and put to new value-added uses. This ‘hidden’ industry diverts over 2.5 billion pounds of textiles annually, yet nearly 80% of the waste still goes to landfills even though textile waste is nearly 100 per cent recyclable. Theoretically, textiles will decompose and in comparison to other waste, leave little toxic leachate or bio-gas during the decomposition process. More attention needs to be given to ways in which waste management, textile recycling companies, and consumers can help divert textiles from the landfill. A goal of zero-waste by 2035 has been established by the Council of Textile Recycling. This presentation will focus on the industry, value-added products, and strategies to accomplish the zero-waste plan. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Presented in conjunction with, the Missouri History Museum gallery exhibition, Woven in Time, on display at the Museum September 12, 2011 - August 12, 2012.

Oct 21st, 2011 (Fri) From Sunbeams to Electricity: Solar Photo Voltaic Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CANCELED - Please check calendar for other upcoming science events Featured Speaker: Jim Jordan, Senior Coordinator Continuing Education, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Director for Educational Outreach, Show Me Solar Today, solar electricity is an economically viable energy source for corporations, education institutions and residents and is often showcased as the energy source of the future. Explore the what, where, when, why and how of this unlimited source of clean energy with some hands-on demonstrations and discussion. To be held at University of Missouri - St. Louis J. C. Penney Conference Center One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121 FREE and OPEN to ALL. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Space is limited. Green Energy Series co-sponsors: and

Oct 23rd, 2011 (Sun) Mike Fay Live: Climbing Redwood Giants Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Join J. Michael Fay, National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence, for an in-depth look at the giant redwoods of northern California, followed by a screening of the award-winning production EXPLORER: Climbing Redwood Giants. Photo by Mark Christmas, courtesy National Geographic Society A former Missouri Botanical Garden researcher and Washington University graduate, Fay is returning to St. Louis to raise awareness and inspire action during the Garden’s year-long celebration of the U.N. International Year of Forests. Location: Missouri Botanical Garden Shoenberg Theater FREE Garden & Event Admission on October 23 (WITH REGISTRATION ONLY) for Academy Members and Friends. Space is limited. Register Early! Register at rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org, or call 314-533-8586. A partnership presentation of:

Oct 25th, 2011 (Tue) Changes in Memory & Cognition with Normal Aging & Beyond Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker: Lauren Schwarz, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Director of Neuropsychology Division, Department of Neurology & Psychiatry, Saint Louis University Lapses in memory and word finding difficulties are common complaints as we age. How do we know when we should be concerned about these slips in our abilities? Saint Louis University neuropsychologist, Dr. Lauren Schwarz, discusses the common cognitive changes that occur with aging and pays particular attention to how to differentiate between normal aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and dementia. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for this in-depth look at memory and aging. To be held at: Forest Park OASIS - Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor's Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. REGISTRATION CLOSED. Currently accepting wait list ONLY reservations. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Nov 2nd, 2011 (Wed) Left Out in the Cold: The Story of the Barrow Global Climate Change Research Lab in Barrow, Alaska Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Janet Baum, AIA, Trustee, Academy of Science – St. Louis; retired founding partner of Health, Education + Research Associates, Inc.,; lead programmer and planner, Barrow Global Climate Change Research Lab The Inupiat Native Americans (Eskimos) have continuously inhabited the North Slope of Alaska for 10,000 years. Just a few summers ago, the permanent Arctic sea ice pack was only a few hundred yards off the coastline of Alaska. Now it lies over one hundred miles away, and the gap is increasing. For the Inupiat, traversing this gap for subsistence hunting in sealskin canoes poses great risk. Looking to find a way to provide steady occupations and income for their people (without resorting to oil drilling), the Inupiat commissioned the building of the Barrow, Alaska laboratory to study climate change. Through this, the Inupiat tribe is working to ensure their survival and preserve the Arctic landscape upon which they depend. The project lead programmer and planner on this project, retired HERA founding partner Janet Baum, tells the remarkable story of place, people and environmental preservation in Left Out in the Cold. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Science Seminar Series is Co-sponsored by:

Nov 3rd, 2011 (Thu) Giants in American Conservation Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum A Conservation Science public forum partnership of the Academy of Science – St. Louis, the University of Missouri – St. Louis Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden. --featuring David Sibley, Susan Flader and Maril Hazlett SESSION ONE: 6 - 7 PM Field Guides and Nature in the 21st Century Featured Speaker: David Allen Sibley David Sibley is an ornithologist and author of The Sibley Guide to Birds, considered by many to be the most comprehensive guide for North American field identification. He is also the author of: Sibley's Birding Basics: The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, Hawks in Flight and The Sibley Guide to Trees. Photo: John James Audubon Refreshments, Book Signing and Exhibit Viewing from 7 – 7:40 PM Books by David Allen Sibley available for purchase and signing. SESSION TWO: 7:40 - 8:45 PM Whither Missouri? Aldo Leopold's Challenge Featured Speaker: Susan Flader, Ph.D. Susan Flader is professor emerita of history at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she has taught American and world environmental history and the history of Missouri and the American West. She has published several books including Thinking Like a Mountain and The River of the Mother of God on the career and thinking of Aldo Leopold, as well as Exploring Missouri’s Legacy: State Parks and Historic Sites. Photo: Aldo Leopold Recovering Carson's Conservationist Side Featured Speaker: Maril Hazlett, Ph.D. Maril Hazlett has worked extensively in the fields of environmental advocacy and environmental policy, most recently for the Climate and Energy Project of The Land Institute. She specializes in renewable energy, clean air, and clean water issues. She earned her undergraduate degree from Amherst College and her Ph.D. in environmental history from the University of Kansas, writing her dissertation on reactions to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Photo: Rachel L. Carson PANEL DISCUSSION: 8:45 - 9 PM Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend. Registration Required: Call 314-516-6203, or email hintonpa@umsl.edu Partnering organizations:

Nov 4th, 2011 (Fri) Forest Park Adventure - Part II Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM 4:00 pm - 5:00 p.m. Geocaching is often described as a "game of high-tech hide and seek", sharing many aspects with orienteering and treasure-hunting! There are geocaches on every continent, from Antarctica to North America. Join us as we divide into groups in the hunt for the Forest Park treasure! GPS will be provided for use during this event. Every student will take home a treasure! Followed by: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Owl Prowl Led by Academy of Science - BioBlitz Citizen Scientist Awardee, Mark Glenshaw, students will be forever on the lookout for the Great Horned Owl in your own backyard! Glenshaw has closely observed and documented a mated pair of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park for more than five years. Find out where the owls "hid" during some of the great St. Louis storms! Wear sneakers or hiking boots as we follow the Forest Park Owl Trail. His work has been featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Magazine and Show-Me Missouri. Read more--Forest Park Owls Photo Credit: Mark Glenshaw OPEN TO JUNIOR ACADEMY STUDENTS Space limited - RSVP by Nov 1st RSVP to peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org Please RSVP by November 2nd - thank you

Nov 5th, 2011 (Sat) Honeysuckle Removal Project Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM It's that time of year again. Junior Academy students continue their environmental stewardship and join over 100 volunteers in the honeysuckle clean up at Forest Park. Honeysuckle is a non-native, invasive plant species that is detrimental to native plants and shrubs. This project is a partnership with the Forest Park Forever and Kennedy Woods Advisory Group, a group of committed volunteers that have worked tirelessly to eradicate honeysuckle and establish native landscapes in Forest Park since 1999. Students - check with your teachers - many are offering extra credit as part of your community service! Open to Junior Academy Students. Students under the age of 18 must have parental/adult supervision at all times. See Forest Park Forever website for map and details http://www.forestparkforever.org/2011/10/18/2011-honeysuckle-removal-project/ To sign up to volunteer, please RSVP to peggyn@academyofsciencestl.org

Nov 5th, 2011 (Sat) Community Action Fair Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Connect with economic empowerment organizations around the metro area, including Jobs with Justice, Neighborhood Houses, Beyond Housing, and Provident Development. Activities and sessions will be held throughout the afternoon. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Activities are throughout the Museum Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Economics Series - Class: The Great Divide co-sponsored by:

Nov 8th, 2011 (Tue) Biodiversity Conservation in Armenia Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Aram Aghasyan, PhD, Senior Scientist, Academy of Sciences, and Head of Protected Areas, Ministry of Nature Protection, Armenia Photo: Aram and Levon Aghasyan Armenia is one of six countries comprising the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot—considered one of the world’s 25 most diverse and endangered regions. Approximately the size of the State of Maryland, Armenia boasts a tremendous diversity of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Dr. Aram Aghasyan and his son, Levon present an overview of what Armenia is doing to conserve the country’s rich biodiversity of wildlife and wild places. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Conservation Conversations is Co-sponsored by:

Nov 10th, 2011 (Thu) The Bright News About Lighting: LED the Wave of the Future Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Featured Speaker: Gavin Perry, Ph.D., Director for St. Louis Metro, Show Me Solar LED lighting is an important energy savings addition to any building’s lighting system. The technology is rapidly improving and provides potential advantages beyond energy conservation. Explore LED lighting technology and how it can improve your health as well as your pocketbook. To be held at Forest Park OASIS – Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor’s Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 OPEN to ALL. COST is $10 per person. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Space is limited. Green Energy Series co-sponsors: and

Nov 10th, 2011 (Thu) Talking to Ourselves: Self Knowledge and Self Control Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM -- lecture and book signing, The Moral Psychology Handbook Featured Speaker: John M. Doris, Ph.D., Professor, Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program and Department of Philosophy, Washington University in St. Louis; and author, along with The Moral Psychology Research Group of, The Moral Psychology Handbook Washington University professor and philosopher, Dr. John Doris, works at the intersection of psychology and philosophical ethics in pursuit of the answers to how and why we make moral choices. What does the science say about the human psychology of moral behavior? Can the philosophical theories be empirically substantiated? How well supported are these claims? Join us for a fascinating look at Moral Psychology-- a burgeoning and flourishing cross-disciplinary field of inquiry into how we are human. To be held at: Mid-County Library 7821 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Nov 15th, 2011 (Tue) A Look Back at the St. Louis Blizzard of ‘82 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Charles E. Graves, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University It was a 1 in 70 year snow event-- the heavy snowfall in January of 1982, and infamous in the St. Louis region. Thousands of motorists were stranded, the airport, Amtrak and bus service were shut down, and scores of schools and businesses were closed for up to a week after the snow ended. Blanketing the area in 13 inches of snow, it was the most on record for any storm since 1912. Dr. Charles Graves takes a look back at the infamous Blizzard of ’82. Why was the snowfall so prolific? Have we seen anything close to that event in recent history? And will we again? To be held at: Kirkwood OASIS - Kirkwood Community Center 111 South Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Nov 17th, 2011 (Thu) The Business of Environmental Change in the Corporate World Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CANCELED - Please check calendar for other upcoming science events Featured Speaker: Charles Kuehl, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management Emeritus, College of Business Administration, University of Missouri – St. Louis You often hear, “If it’s good for the environment, it will cost jobs and weaken the economy.” What’s the real story behind clean energy technology as it pertains to the world of business? Join Dr. Charles Kuehl as he addresses the current situation and different perspectives on surrounding issues, how corporations view sustainability initiatives, and entrepreneurial responses to environmental problems. Come prepared to engage in discussion! To be held at Forest Park OASIS – Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor’s Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 OPEN to ALL. COST is $10 per person. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Space is limited. Green Energy Series co-sponsors: and

Nov 17th, 2011 (Thu) Green Energy Technologies: Solar and Beyond Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speakers: Aur Beck, founder, Advanced Energy Solutions Group, Inc.; Chief Technician, RE Install Network; certified trainer NABCET (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and Jim Jordan, Senior Coordinator Continuing Education, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Director for Education Outreach, Show Me Solar Clean or Green Energy is here to stay! A lot of press has been devoted to solar photo voltaics and wind power/turbines in the last couple of years for homeowners, businesses, and utility companies. Come and hear what types of renewable energy applications are feasible and economical today and what lies ahead on the horizon. Sustainability principles as they apply to green energy and conservation will also be discussed. Don’t be left in the dark. Let the sunbeams shine and reenergize your life. Location: Belleville East High School Performing Arts Center, 2555 West Boulevard, Belleville, IL 62221 Parking is FREE in school lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. NABT Biology Club Series co-sponsors:

Dec 1st, 2011 (Thu) Squeaks and Scents: Towards the Neurobiology of Animal Social Communication Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Featured Speaker: Timothy E. Holy, Ph.D., 2009 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Innovation Award recipient, Academy of Science – St. Louis; Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine Communication—whether spoken with words, signed with gestures, written on paper, or sent via email—is perhaps humanity's greatest asset, the ability that underlies our culture and technology. While exceptionally refined in humans, communication is also common among animals: it allows them to organize and tackle challenges too daunting for an individual, or to find each other when it is time to reproduce. In attempting to understand animal communication, we are confronted by fundamental questions: What are the signals? What do they convey? How are they produced? And—perhaps the greatest mystery of all—how does the brain interpret these signals and use them to guide behavior? Some scientists hope that studies of social communication in animals may lead to a better appreciation of the natural world and of the brain itself. Washington University neurobiologist, Dr. Timothy Holy gives us the inside scoop on the neurobiology of animal social communication, with an emphasis on two examples of communication among mice: chemical signals often called pheromones, and “courtship songs” sung at frequencies too high to be detected by human ears. STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. Junior Academy of Science-- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Location: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE parking in Kirkwood High School lots. FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Dec 6th, 2011 (Tue) Solar Thermal and Cooling Technologies Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Featured Speaker: Gavin Perry, Ph.D., Director for St. Louis Metro, Show Me Solar We hear a lot about solar electric (PV) systems these days, but solar thermal is a much older technology dating back to prehistoric times. Learn about solar heating and cooling applications and how using the sun for heating may be cost effective in many places in the U.S. Explore the technologies involved in solar hot water, passive and active solar heating and solar air conditioning. To be held at Forest Park OASIS – Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor’s Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 OPEN to ALL. COST is $10 per person. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org. Space is limited. Green Energy Series co-sponsors: and

Dec 6th, 2011 (Tue) Conservation Medicine: What It Is, Why Care, and How It Can Help with the Survival of Species Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Sharon L. Deem, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl ACZM, Veterinary Epidemiologist, Saint Louis Zoo, Wildcare Institute Diseases that threaten the long-term survival of wildlife species and/or public health are increasingly recognized as challenges to the stability of the global economy. Many of these diseases are commonly known household names and include diseases such as West Nile virus, avian influenza, Lyme’s disease, SARS, Ebola virus, Monkey pox, white nose syndrome of bats, and chytridiomycosis in amphibians. During the past two decades, a new conservation and health care approach— Conservation Medicine—was developed with the aim to better understand and ensure the health of animals, humans, and ecosystems in a changing world. Veterinary Epidemiologist, Dr. Sharon Deem, tells why this holistic approach—Conservation Medicine—is imperative for endangered species’ conservation and public health. Based on information from various studies, including those conducted by staff at the Saint Louis Zoo, Dr. Deem presents the disease challenges to the conservation of species and gives examples of efforts to minimize the negative impacts associated with emerging infectious (and non-infectious) diseases; and she shares photos and stories on species’ survival from the caves of Missouri to the world’s oceans and elephants in Asia and Africa. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Conservation Conversations is Co-sponsored by:

Dec 7th, 2011 (Wed) Blowin' in the Wind? A Wind Energy Systems Overview Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: David Peters, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, McDonnell Douglas Professor of Engineering, Department of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis If American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan had written his 1960s anti-war anthem “Blowin’ in the Wind” today, he might have written the iconic lyrics to ask if the answer to our energy woes might be “blowin’ in the wind.” From the simple Buddhist prayer wheels of the fifth century C.E. down to 7 Megawatt machines now operating in Europe, Washington University Engineering Professor, Dr. David Peters follows the history of the development of wind turbines and introduces the subject of wind energy systems in the context of their use as a national renewable energy source. He looks at world energy needs, various alternative energy sources, and the role that wind energy could play towards a sustainable energy program. He covers the taxonomy of wind turbines, the various component parts, and how energy is actually extracted from the air, and discusses environmental concerns associated with wind energy in this fascinating look at the growing use of and burgeoning interest in wind as a viable source of alternative renewable energy. Location: Saint Louis Zoo Living World Auditorium. Parking is FREE in the Zoo North Lot. FREE and OPEN to ALL. Adults, teachers, middle and high school students, and the general public are invited to attend these no-cost lectures on topical issues in science. For more information call 314-646-4544 or 314-533-8586. Registration not required. Science Seminar Series is Co-sponsored by:

Dec 9th, 2011 (Fri) Monster in the Hollow: The Story of Missouri’s Ozark Dinosaur Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker: Michael Fix, Associate Teaching Professor of Geology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis Join Missouri Ozark Dinosaur Project geologist, Michael Fix, as he explores the Chronister Site-- Missouri's only known dinosaur find, from the accidental discovery of dinosaur fossils there in the 1940's to the eventual scientific excavations many decades later, and the major fossil discoveries that resulted from those early stumbled-upon bones. You’ll be transported back to the late Cretaceous period some 75 million years ago when dinosaurs and other prehistoric monsters roamed our state. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Dec 13th, 2011 (Tue) Missouri's Ice Age Megafauna: St. Louis Area Big Bones Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM --lecture and book signing Featured Speaker: Bruce Stinchcomb, Ph.D., paleontologist, retired Professor of Geology, St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley, and author of, Cenozoic Fossils II: The Neogene There’s a rich history of discovery and interpretation of the prehistoric animals that lived in Missouri and throughout the St. Louis region during the Pleistocene Era—and big bones are intimately entwined with the history of the Mound City. Join paleontologist Dr. Bruce Stinchcomb for a look back at St. Louis and Missouri’s Ice Age Megafauna. Woodcut image of the human tracks which existed in ledges along the Mississippi near Jefferson Barracks. This track caused a great deal of scientific interest in both the U.S. and Europe in the early 19th century for two reasons. 1. The ages of limestone (and sandstone) beds in the area were not known--it was considered reasonable that man may have been contemporaneous to when they were deposited and that the track was really that of a human. 2. The St. Louis area (later the Koch mastodon site) was becoming an area where large bones were being found and these were debated as to their being from extinct animals. The concept of both geologic time and organismic extinction were hot topics in the science of the early 19th century. -- Image courtesy of Bruce Stinchcomb, Ph.D. Cenozoic Fossils II: The Neogene, available for purchase and signing by the author following the talk. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age, on display at the Missouri History Museum, November 25, 2011 - April 15, 2012.

2010 Events

Jan 9th, 2010 (Sat) Regal Eagles Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER HERE'S A LINK TO PUBLIC EAGLE WATCHING ACTIVITIES THAT YOU MAY CHOOSE TO ATTEND ON YOUR OWN LATER THIS MONTH: http://www.greatriverroad.com/Eagles/eagleCover.htm The American Bald Eagle became our national emblem in 1782. Discover the adaptions that make these magnificent birds so special. Learn how these birds became endangered in Missouri and how their populations have made a tremendous comeback. Be prepared to venture outside to search for migratory and resident bald eagles that can be found at Columbia Bottom. We will also visit the Confluence and see an active eagle's nest!

Jan 14th, 2010 (Thu) Is it Hot in Here? Climate Change Panel Discussion Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Topics and Panelists: Leading Green Cities and Jobs Sarah Coffin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Policy Studies, College of Education and Public Service, Saint Louis University In 2005 the U.S. Conference of Mayors developed the Climate Protection Agreement, with cities that signed on agreeing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7% below their 1990 levels by the year 2012. In 2007, the Conference surveyed Mayors from the 134 participating cities (of which St. Louis was one); and their findings suggest important job opportunities for the future. That future is tied to trends like renewable energy, eco-industrial parks, green technology, green building, recycling, and ideas we have yet to discover. Climate Change in a Biodiversity Hotspot Ellen Damschen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis A changing climate is profoundly impacting plants and animals across the globe. Washington University ecologist, Ellen Damschen, shares how climate change has affected plants in a global biodiversity hotspot, the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains in Oregon and talks about the 50-year-old data set that helped her determine how plants have changed because of climatic warming. Climate Changes, Stock Prices and Other Random Processes: Should We Bet on the Trend ? William Dannevik, Ph.D., Professor of Meteorology and Chair, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University Climate varies naturally on many different time scales — from years to millennia — regardless of whether greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere. Scientists use climate simulation models to help detect systematic climate changes and to explore the likely causes of such variations. But... how reliable can we expect such models to be? The Heat is On: The Truth about Global Climate Change Mark Hildebrandt, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville Climate change is likely to cause altered precipitation and temperature regimes around the world, including the United States and in the St. Louis metropolitan region. The impacts will affect most every facet of our lives, from food availability, energy consumption and demands on infrastructure, to our educational expectations and employment opportunities. DRAWINGS for TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Seminar. STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS - one $250 Middle School Student Scholarship and one $250 High School Student Scholarship. Attend 3 of the 5 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2010! To be held at Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 W. Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Parking free in the high school lot. This event is free and open to middle and high school students, teachers, adults, and the general public. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Jan 18th, 2010 (Mon) Grandmaster Chess Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM The game of chess is over 1,500 years old and played around the world. Come to the site of the U.S. Chess Championships to explore the strategy and history of chess with a nationally-ranked Grandmaster! No Chess experience necessary! Prizes! RSVP by January 15, 2010 to: peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org Details and parking directions will be e-mailed back to you. Free and open to Junior Academy students. Parents welcome! Earn 25 achievement points!

Jan 21st, 2010 (Thu) In the Mind’s Eye: The Psychology of Stereotypes, Identity, and Perception Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Alan J. Lambert, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis We’re all familiar with the many stereotypes that exist in our world, but when and why do we choose to express or suppress them? How does the situation—moods, personalities, surroundings—lead people to either use or avoid using stereotypic knowledge as a basis for responding to others? What is the psychology behind attempts to justify race-based prejudice, and how do these prejudices express themselves differently in public versus privately? Washington University Psychology Professor, Dr. Alan Lambert, answers these questions and more in this fascinating look at the psychology of prejudice, intolerance and perception. Presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, RACE: Are We So Different? on display at the Missouri History Museum, January 16, 2010 – April 4, 2010. Photo Credit: © American Anthropological Association To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Jan 26th, 2010 (Tue) Race for Survival: Cheetahs in Peril Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Steve Bircher, Curator of Carnivores, Saint Louis Zoo The world’s fastest land mammal can’t outrun the loss of both habitat and prey. Come and learn about the cheetah's current status in the wild, problems they face today, and how the Saint Louis Zoo’s Cheetah WildCare Institute Center helps to protect this endangered species in Africa. Steve Bircher, Curator of Mammals/Carnivores and Director of the Zoo’s Center for Cheetah Conservation describes the history of cheetahs at the Zoo, its long-term breeding and research programs, and the Center's involvement in census, health surveys, and education projects in the wild. Since 1974, the Saint Louis Zoo has been a leader in cheetah research and captive breeding and the Cheetah Conservation Center has become a cooperative international effort to link captive breeding programs with research and protection in cheetah range countries. Photo Credit: © Rachael Macy, Saint Louis Zoo Free public seminars highlight conservation science and global conservation issues and efforts supported by the Saint Louis Zoo and other wildlife organizations. Junior Academy members, middle, and high school students are encouraged to attend. Reservations are not required. All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. Conservation Conversations Co-sponsored by:

Feb 10th, 2010 (Wed) The Quest for Cures: Stem Cells and Childhood Conditions Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Childhood should be a time of carefree enjoyment. Unfortunately, for children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, leukemia or multiple sclerosis, youth is hardly worry-free. Learn what stem cell researchers are doing to develop cures for these and other diseases that rob children of some of their best and brightest days. Kirkwood OASIS - Kirkwood Community Center 111 South Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Feb 10th, 2010 (Wed) Citizen Science: From the Cosmos to Coneflowers— The Story of How Ordinary People Are Enabling Large Scale Discovery Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Pamela Gay, Ph.D., Astronomer, Assistant Research Professor, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville; Co-Host, Astronomy Cast; Team Member, Galaxy Zoo We live in a new age of technology-driven science, with new instruments and new computers that allow us to collect more information – more images, more DNA profiles, more environmental sensor data, than ever before. With this flood of information, scientists are no longer able to explore all the images, all the data, on their own, so more and more – science is turning to the public and requesting help. From the discovery of rare “Green Pea” galaxies to the first sighting in fourteen years of a rare non-spotted ladybug in the Northeastern U.S., ordinary citizens are contributing to discoveries in science. It is possible to get involved in meaningful science either by going online or by going outside. The Galaxy Zoo project invites people to help astronomers better understand our evolving universe by classifying online galaxy images from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Rather be outside? The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a variety of bird counting projects to help track the population of birds around the United States. Starting with the original citizen science projects begun by Benjamin Franklin, astronomer, writer, and podcaster, Pamela Gay, talks about citizens and science, the problem of data flood, and the ways ordinary citizens today can, and do, contribute to the pursuit of scientific discovery. Photo © Pamela Gay All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email mbauer@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Feb 11th, 2010 (Thu) Fuel for Thought: Energy Issues Panel Discussion Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Panel Moderator: Marc Lopata, P.E., Chief Technology Officer, Azimuth Energy Featured Topics and Panelists: Clean Energy: Opportunities and Challenges Richard Axelbaum, Ph.D., Director, Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization and Professor, Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis The world is facing a challenge like never before. Energy usage is skyrocketing and the consequence is that atmospheric CO2 levels are dangerously high and rising, potentially threatening our very planet. There are entrepreneurial opportunities in producing clean energy and challenges that must be met if we are to make a difference worldwide. Energy, Our Environment & Development: What is Washington University Doing? Pratim Biswas, Ph.D., Fellow, Academy of Science - St. Louis; Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor, and Director, McDonnell Academy Global Energy and Environment Partnership, and Chair, Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis Learn about Energy Basics and why energy is such an important issue not only for all of us here in America, but for people across the globe. Find out how Washington University faculty, students and staff are addressing global energy challenges. Environmental Economics... Wait, is that an Oxymoron? Lea-Rachel Kosnik, Ph.D., Environmental Economist, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Missouri - StL Most people assume Economics is about business, making money, and utilizing goods in destructive and/or consumptive ways. At the same time, Environmental Studies focuses on protecting and nurturing earth’s resources. The two seem polar opposites, but economists can and do contribute to solving our most pressing environmental issues. Learn why there are hundreds of economists currently employed at institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the World Wildlife Fund; and discover how economists have been integral in shaping renewable energy legislation and renewable energy initiatives across the land. Energy Makes the World go Round James McLaren, Ph.D., CMC, Founder and President, StrathKirn, Inc., -- a biotechnology and bioenergy consulting company focused on the future Energy—after food it’s the most important issue of our age. Everything we do, from sitting and thinking to flying around the world, consumes energy. Humans have been outstanding at developing high performance systems for convenience and comfortable living, which means using a huge amount of energy. Where does it come from? What types of energy do we harness? Will it ever run out? Will you be able to drive a car five years from now? Will energy ever be free? Why is bioenergy different? You don’t need to have a “sparky” personality but you do need to be “bright,” so... if you are a bit of a “live-wire,” come along and find out about the different sciences and skills that are working together on the future of energy. You might be able to plug right in DRAWINGS for TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Seminar. STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS - one $250 Middle School Student Scholarship and one $250 High School Student Scholarship. Attend 3 of the 5 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2010! To be held at Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 W. Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Parking free in the high school lot. This event is free and open to middle and high school students, teachers, adults, and the general public. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Feb 12th, 2010 (Fri) 2010 Masters of the Sky Time: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM Eagles, Hawks, Owls, Vultures & more! You will be amazed as you learn about these magnificent birds, some of which will fly right over your head! Masters of the Sky is a celebration of the migrating bald eagles who spend their winters in the Alton area where they can hunt for fish and rest along the Mississippi River. Spotting scopes will be available to view eagles in their natural habitat. Sponsored by the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Free and open to Junior Academy Students. (Parents welcome) e-mail peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org by February 10th to RSVP and for directions.

Feb 16th, 2010 (Tue) Bring Out Your Dead—Undertaking Conservation: The Recovery of the Endangered American Burying Beetle Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Bob Merz, Zoological Manager, Invertebrates, Saint Louis Zoo Photo Courtsey Saint Louis Zoo Like a story from a bizarre and twisted pulp novel—a couple finds a dead body, then under the cover of darkness, secret it away in a safe place and then feed the remains to their babies. It almost sounds too gruesome to be true, until you realize that it’s a large carrion beetle performing the essential task of breaking down “nature’s garbage,” by recycling carcasses and controlling fly populations. The American Burying Beetle was once common in 35 states and 3 provinces of Canada. Now it is found in small pockets in just 7 states. This dramatic decline prompted the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to classify this beautiful black and red beetle as Endangered in 1989. Since 2002, the Invertebrate Unit at the Saint Louis Zoo has been diligently working toward the species’ recovery—surveying Missouri for existing populations and establishing colonies at the Zoo that help us learn more about this endangered beetle and its remarkable life history. In addition, the Saint Louis Zoo are providing founders in a USFWS-led reintroduction effort in parts of the species’ former range and are investigating possible reasons contributing to the beetle’s decline. Don’t miss Zoo Invertebrates Manager, Bob Merz’s unique insight into the nitty-gritty of field work to save an endangered species in this overview of the Saint Louis Zoo’s continuing effort to recover the American Burying Beetle. Free public seminars highlight conservation science and global conservation issues and efforts supported by the Saint Louis Zoo and other wildlife organizations. Junior Academy members, middle, and high school students are encouraged to attend. Reservations are not required. All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. Conservation Conversations Co-sponsored by:

Feb 16th, 2010 (Tue) Race and Science: Biology and the Justification of Racial Differences and Exploitation, 1600-2010 Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Garland E. Allen, Ph.D.,Professor of Biology, Washington University of St. Louis The concept of race as we know it arose in the 16th and 17th centuries. From the very beginning, various biological, or naturalistic, explanations were developed to describe differences between races and to justify race-based discrimination. Washington University Professor of Biology, Dr. Garland E. Allen, examines the history of these “scientific” endeavors. From debates about whether indigenous people were even the same species as Europeans, to studies of cranial capacities and body forms, to the use of genetics in the early 20th century, these attempts were always geared to show the differences between groups and explicitly or implicitly providing a rationale for economic and social exploitation. Presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, RACE: Are We So Different? on display at the Missouri History Museum, January 16, 2010 – April 4, 2010. Photo Credit: © American Anthropological Association To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Feb 17th, 2010 (Wed) Cave Exploration in Southeast Asia's Most Pristine Environment, Laos Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Presenter: Aaron Addison, International Explorer In 2006, field reconnaissance revealed a massive limestone cave in the Khammouane Province of central Laos. An international team of explorers returned in early 2008 to document this world-class river cave system. Over 11km of cave passages were surveyed and photographed in just nine days. A better understanding of the region and its people was also achieved. Much of central Laos has been closed to outside visitors for almost 50 years. Based on the findings of the 2008 expedition, a return trip is planned to document other caves in the region. 5:30 p.m. Business Meeting for Explorers Club Members Only 6:00 p.m. Cocktails–Tickets issued, please bring correct change 6:45 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. Speaker Whittemore House Washington University-Danforth Campus, 6440 Forsyth RSVP - NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 10, 2010 to Becky Doane at rdoane@thompsoncoburn.com or (314) 231-2306 x1302 Price: $50(Explorer Club Members) $55(Guests) Note: to be admitted to the lecture portion of the evening only, you must RSVP. Business attire required (jacket & tie)

Feb 27th, 2010 (Sat) Greater St. Louis Science Fair - Honors Division Time: Greater St. Louis Science Fair - Honors Division Judging on Saturday, February 27, 2010 Students must be pre-registered to to participate.

Mar 4th, 2010 (Thu) Diversity in Science Panel Discussion Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Topics and Panelists: Women and Science Leadership Norma Clayton, 2009 Women of Color Technologist of the Year; Vice President, Learning, Training & Development, The Boeing Company Inspiring and driving individual, team, and organizational performance can be a tough job. Women in leadership roles in historically male-dominated fields of science, technology and engineering have traveled a particularly interesting path. But the climate for women who aspire to leadership roles in the sciences is changing considerably, with more women than ever before pursuing careers in science. Find out how women are leading the way in science today. Research in a Pharmaceutical Setting: An Opportunity to Advance Science and Help People Aparna Deora, Ph.D.,Associate Research Fellow, Global Biologics, Pfizer, Inc Find out about educational paths to pharmaceutical research, career opportunities in industry and how state-of-the-art scientific research leads to state-of-the-art new medicines. Bleeding Control in Health and Disease Matthew Ndonwi, Ph.D., Founder, Diversity Postdoctoral Association, and Staff Scientist, Internal Medicine/Hematology, Washington University School of Medicine To prevent fatal bleeding from an injury, blood at the site of a wound is converted to a solid form called a clot, which seals wounded vessels. Clots sometimes form in the absence of injury, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Learn about work in Hematology to control clotting in both health and disease. Plant Biotechnology for the Next 50 Years Oliver Yu, Ph.D., Associate Member and Principal Investigator, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center With increasing populations, a warming atmosphere, and depleting nature resources, the challenges for plant scientists are enormous. The most urgent problems plant scientists will face over the next 50 years are being helped by advances in modern plant biotechnology. DRAWINGS for TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Seminar. STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS - one $250 Middle School Student Scholarship and one $250 High School Student Scholarship. Attend 3 of the 5 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2010! To be held at Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 W. Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Parking free in the high school lot. This event is free and open to middle and high school students, teachers, adults, and the general public. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Mar 10th, 2010 (Wed) Subversive Science: Sustainability and Architecture Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Bruce Lindsey, Dean, College of Architecture and Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, E. Desmond Lee Professor for Community Collaboration, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis Two years after the publication of Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, botanist Paul Sears described ecology as a “subversive science” because it called into question the cultural and economic premises of Western societies – pointing out the ironic fact that the root word for economics and ecology is the Greek word oikos for house, household, or family. Bruce Lindsey, Dean of Washington University’s College of Architecture, takes a look at some of the early American environmental thinking as a foundation for discussing current trends in sustainability and architecture. Beginning with early voices such as Aldo Leopold, Ian McHarg, Rachael Carson, and others, he explores sustainability as both a cultural and technical force driving contemporary architectural practice. A house that grows itself, a sustainable farmers’ market in the Ville neighborhood of St. Louis that improves public health, a play structure for an after school arts program in Pagedale, a sustainable skyscraper in Chicago – projects by both professionals and students illustrate the current issues informing environmental design. Dr. Lindsey speculates about the future of architecture and its relationship to our environment and us. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email mbauer@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Mar 19th, 2010 (Fri) E-Cycle: Electronics Recycling in Missouri Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Linda Wegrzyn, Environmental Specialist, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Is your cell phone hazardous waste? Do you have an outdated computer or two in your basement, an old TV? Used electronics have become one of the world’s fastest growing and most toxic waste streams. Computer monitors and older TVs contain an average of four pounds of lead; and old electronics can contain toxic chemicals such as chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc and brominated flame-retardants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each year, more than 2 million tons of computers and other electronics are disposed of improperly and a mere 20 percent are recycled. Missouri Department of Natural Resources Environmental Specialist, Linda Wegrzyn, talks about e-scrap in Missouri and the U.S., how to prevent heavy metals and other toxic electronics materials from polluting our environment, and the Missouri Computer Equipment Collection and Recovery Act which goes into effect in July 2010. OASIS St. Charles Community College 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, MO 63376-2865 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Apr 1st, 2010 (Thu) Bioethics, Reproductive Technologies, & Genetics Panelists Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Topics and Panelists: Bioethics and Science Reporting: The Problem of Hype Rebecca Dresser, JD, Daniel Noyes Kirby, Professor of Law and Professor of Ethics in Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis Nearly every day we hear about scientific breakthroughs in the laboratory. Journalists tell us about potential cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other diseases that plague modern society. But what works in animals often doesn’t translate to effective human treatments. Learn about the ethics of science reporting and why hype is bad for science and the public. Medical Futility: Where Science & Morals Collide Griffin Trotter, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Departments of Heallth Care Ethics and Surgery, Saint Louis University When are doctors are justified in refusing to provide treatments and other interventions because these treatments violate the standards of good scientific medicine? Of special interest are cases where physicians refuse to provide a requested treatment (e.g., mechanical ventilation) because the scientific evidence indicates the treatment will not work —that is, that it is “futile” —for the given case. Dr. Trotter Investigates medical futility claims and the philosophical puzzles they create. The Genetics of Infertility and the Extinction of the Dinosaurs: Is Humankind Next? Sherman Silber, M.D., Fellow, Academy of Science - St. Louis; Director, Infertility Society of St. Louis, St. Luke’s Hospital The modern world is in the midst of an unexpected infertility epidemic. Our genetic studies of infertility offer an explanation for how the X and Y chromosomes evolved and even for how the dinosaurs went extinct. Our changing societal structure is causing the majority of couples who delay childbearing to become permanently infertile, which portends a frightening demographic future for our economy. DRAWINGS for TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Seminar. STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS - one $250 Middle School Student Scholarship and one $250 High School Student Scholarship. Attend 3 of the 5 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2010! To be held at Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 W. Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Parking free in the high school lot. This event is free and open to middle and high school students, teachers, adults, and the general public. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Apr 6th, 2010 (Tue) From Magic to Molecules: A Short History of the Science of Medicinal Plants Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Wendy Applequist, Ph.D., Assistant Curator, William L. Brown Center, Missouri Botanical Garden Plants have always been a major source of medicines, and to this day, two-thirds of the world’s population use medicinal plants as primary health care. Today many lifesaving pharmaceutical drugs have been developed from plants and it’s virtually certain that more lifesaving drugs remain to be found. Missouri Botanical Garden Curator, Wendy Applequist, talks on the development of the scientific study of medicinal plants, from pre-scientific and pre-human use to formal experimental methods used in medieval Arabic pharmacy to modern drug development, the means of validating traditional use of whole plants– and why some useful herbs can never be made into drugs. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Apr 7th, 2010 (Wed) Gravitational Waves: Listening to the True Music of the Spheres Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Bernard Schutz, Director, Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Albert Einstein Institute. Photo Credit: ESA In the coming decade scientists will open the newest window on the universe by detecting for the first time the gravitational waves that were predicted a century before by Einstein. But instead of looking through this window, we will be listening to the universe through it because gravitational waves are space-time's counterpart to soundwaves, and our detectors are our microphones. In this MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION you will be able to listen to the "sounds" made by massive black holes, colliding neutron stars, exploding supernovas, and the Big Bang itself, and you will learn just how different our experience of the universe will be once we have mastered the technology of gravitational wave detection. Junior Academy members have received a special invitation. Open to the St. Louis Community To be held at Washington University in St. Louis, Lab Sciences Building, Room 300. Note: Parents, please attend this activity with your student – this is not a chaperoned event. Parking is free in yellow spaces after 5:30 pm for this event. No need to RSVP - for questions, e-mail trecia@physics.wustl.edu

Apr 7th, 2010 (Wed) Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM -- a photographic journey and book signing with Amy Gulick, award-winning photographer and author, Salmon in the Trees Salmon in the Trees tells the story of the Tongass, a rare rain forest spread among thousands of islands in the panhandle of Alaska. It’s a place where everything grows everything. Young saplings grow on top of fallen, centuries-old trees. Bears, eagles, and Native cultures grow strong on wild salmon. Trees grow salmon, and salmon grow trees. At almost 17 million acres, the Tongass is America’s largest national forest, and comprises nearly a third of the world’s rare old-growth temperate rain forest. With some of the highest densities of grizzly bears, black bears, and bald eagles in the world, it’s a place that time hasn’t quite caught up to -- yet. Can the great forest’s biological treasures withstand the modern pressures of a globalized world? The Tongass is public land entrusted to all Americans. The decisions we make today will determine if the Tongass will continue to be a place where everything grows everything, and salmon grow in trees. During the past two years, wildlife photographer Amy Gulick, has documented the grizzly bears, wolves, bald eagles, humpback whales and wild salmon of the Tongass National Forest. Gulick is an award-winning photographer and writer specializing in natural history, wildlife and conservation issues. Book signing, “Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska's Tongass Rainforest" with author Amy Gulick will follow the talk. Photo © Amy Gulick Special thanks to the Alaska Wilderness League http://www.alaskawild.org/ for sponsoring,“Salmon in the Trees.” All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email mbauer@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Apr 12th, 2010 (Mon) Chemistry is for the Birds Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM -- a public science seminar in partnership with Sigma-Aldrich and the American Chemical Society Junior Academy students invited to attend Private Reception and Hands-on Chemistry with Saint Louis University graduate students in Chemistry and Shelly Minteer, Ph.D., Endowed Professor of Chemistry and Graduate Program Director, Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University Featured Program: 6:00 – 6:20 p.m. Private Reception - hors d'oeuvres served—Junior Academy, Academy of Science, Sigma, and ACS members and employees ONLY 6:20 – 7:00 p.m. Hands-on Chemistry Event—Students ONLY (parents, family members, and guests welcome to observe) Hands-on Chemistry limited to the first 25 students to RSVP. 7:15 p.m. Public Lecture: Chemistry is for the Birds - all welcome. RSVP required for public lecture. Space is limited. Featured Speaker: Dwight Chasar, Ph.D., research scientist and field ornithologist To better understand bird life and behavior, and using the tools chemists have used for years, avian biologists and chemists have recently begun to examine more closely the chemistry associated with birds. In this fascinating look at the Chemistry of Birds, chemist and birder, Dr. Dwight Chasar, talks about the chemical pigments that give birds color, the chemicals birds use for survival in the wild, chemicals that nearly extirpated raptors, and the use of stable isotopes to understand bird migration. From the simplicity of bird poop to the complexity of bird DNA analysis, chemistry is playing a big role in our understanding of bird dynamics. Chemistry is for the Birds covers enough chemistry to satisfy general interest chemists and is simple enough for non-chemists and students to understand and appreciate the beauty and complexity of the chemistry of birds. Photo Credit: Dwight Chasar To be held at Sigma Aldrich, 3050 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Parking is FREE in the Sigma-Aldrich lot. REGISTRATION REQUIRED by April 7, 2010 for admittance. To RSVP for Chemistry is for the Birds-- private reception, hands-on chemistry, and/or public lecture call 314-533-8586 or email events@academyofsciencestl.org. (Please provide first and last names of guests.)

Apr 13th, 2010 (Tue) Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Lecture and book signing with... Featured Speaker: Laurel Neme, Ph.D., environmental journalist, international consultant for natural resource management, and author, Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species At first glance, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory looks like any high school science lab. But crack open one of the freezers, and you’ll see stacks of animal blood and tissue samples used to differentiate species. Enter the walk-in freezer, and you’ll find bags and boxes overflowing with animal parts and carcasses all labeled and waiting to be examined. Known as the “CSI of wildlife,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon is the first and only dedicated wildlife crime lab in the world. Join Laurel Neme, an international consultant and author of Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species (Scribner, April 2009), as she reveals how the lab investigates a wide range of cases and handles its more than thirty thousand species of victims. While this lab feverishly works to solve crimes, it’s also forging a new field of science in the process. Learn how these hardworking animal investigators are fighting the destruction of wildlife for profit. You will come away with a new perspective on animal forensic science and how it fits into the broader context of wildlife conservation. All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. Conservation Conversations Co-sponsored by:

Apr 20th, 2010 (Tue) The Quest for Cures: Stem Cells and Age-Related Diseases Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Quest for Cures: Stem Cells and Age-Related Diseases Learn the symptoms of diseases that tend to affect older Americans, and how scientists are using stem cells to develop therapies and cures. This class is especially helpful for people older than 60, when Parkinson’s, macular degeneration and heart disease often start to appear. OASIS at The Willows at Brooking Park 211 South Wood Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017-3416 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Apr 22nd, 2010 (Thu) 2010 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Awards Dinner Time: 5:30 PM 2010 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Awards to be presented at the Awards Dinner April 22, 2010 at the Chase Park Plaza Please call Rose Jansen with questions at 314-289-1468.

Apr 23rd, 2010 (Fri) The Quest for Cures: Stem Cell Research and People of Color Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CANCELLED The Quest for Cures: Stem Cell Research and People of Color So many diseases affect minority communities at higher rates than the general population – diabetes, heart disease and sickle cell disease among them. Learn about medical advances that stem cell researchers are making to combat these and other diseases, advances that offer hope for a healthier tomorrow. On Science Series co-sponsor:

May 4th, 2010 (Tue) -- May 8th, 2010 (Sat) Greater St. Louis Science Fair Time: This week-long event features top students (Grades K-12)in the Greater St. Louis Region!

May 7th, 2010 (Fri) -- May 11th, 2010 (Tue) Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair Time: The Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair will be held during the first week in May, 2011.

May 21st, 2010 (Fri) The Quest for Cures: Stem Cells for a Healthier Tomorrow Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM The hope of stem cell research unites a variety of Americans. Why? Because we all share a concern for our families’ health and well-being. Join us as we highlight medical advances that scientists are making in the fight against diabetes, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries and other afflictions that affect our families and friends. OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Jun 15th, 2010 (Tue) Galileo and the Church: Was the Conflict Necessary? Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D., adjunct Professor of Religious Studies in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis The relationship between religion and science has had a long and sometimes rocky history. One of the earliest, and best known examples of a religious and scientific clash of ideas is the famous conflict between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church. Join Dr. Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Washington University, as he discusses the history of science and religion through Galileo¹s lens. Presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibition, Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art, on display at the Missouri History Museum, May 15, 2010 – September 12, 2010. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Jun 23rd, 2010 (Wed) Mars & Martinis: A Tourist’s Guide Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Featured Speaker: Rich Heuermann, Administrative Officer, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Campus Outreach Program Coordinator for the NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium at Washington University in St. Louis Right now two roving laboratories inch along the dusty hills and plains of the Red Planet as overhead, three orbiting spacecraft probe the Martian surface. NASA images from the Martian surface and from the Martian sky are featured in this Tourist’s Guide to Mars. Martinis served! FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor: OASIS – Meramec Bluffs One Meramec Bluffs Drive, Ballwin, MO 63021

Jun 24th, 2010 (Thu) DISCOVERING DNA Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Led by: Betsy Boedeker, Senior Scientist and Jennifer Sowash, Business Specialist - Center for Plant and Life Sciences In this workshop BIOTECH CAREERS will be highlighted and you will be able to experience firsthand how scientists test a plant to determine if a gene of interest is present. Using the same technology researchers use in the lab at Monsanto and other plant biotech companies, you will be collecting samples from plants, isolating the genomic DNA, amplifying a target piece of DNA using a technique called PCR and running your DNA on a gel to visualize your results. The biotechnology company Divergence, Inc. is a team of experienced, passionate scientists who develop breakthroughs in nematode control through fundamental insights into the molecular vulnerabilities of parasites. Junior Academy students will be treated with an insider tour! Open to Junior Academy Students only RSVP TO: peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org

Jul 29th, 2010 (Thu) Junior Academy - VIP Tour (One of the largest research animal centers in the world)! Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A HORSE ON A TREADMILL OR COWS AT MILKING TIME? Researchers study animal nutrition at one of the largest research animal centers in the world! Seldom open to the public, Junior Academy students are invited to a RARE INSIDER tour of the Land O'Lakes Purina Research Farm which is situated on 1200 acres in Grey Summit. Owned by the Land of Lakes Farmers Cooperative, nutrition and dietary research is conducted to improve the lives of livestock and companion animals such as horses, beef and dairy cattle. Animal lovers - this field trip is for you. This is a great opportunity to see the research applicability of Veterinary Science. You will see the horses up close and enjoy some time in the country. To comply with strict security, all participants must pre-register. Open to Junior Academy of Science students only (Parents welcome) RSVP (by noon July 26th) at peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org

Jul 29th, 2010 (Thu) Perception and the Evolution of Art: Can There Be a Science of Style? Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Mark Rollins, Professor of Philosophy, Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program, Washington University in St. Louis and courtesy appointment, Professor, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Art Presented in conjunction with the Craft Alliance in Grand Center’s Artists-in-Residence Exhibition, Traces of Time and Presence: Tom Dykas, Michael Parrett, Erin Vigneau Dimick, thru August 15, 2010. For more on Traces of Time and Presence, visit http://www.craftalliance.org/exhibitions/currentgc.htm Why has the world been represented in art in such different ways? Why are there so many different styles of ornament and design? One traditional answer is that perception is plastic– people in various places or periods see the world in different ways as a result of diverse experiences and beliefs; and their design preferences are embodied in the different patterns of attention they employ. This view rests on assumptions about the changeability of the visual system. Research in cognitive science has recently put these assumptions to the test, offering new insight into how perception might vary in ways that explain the history of styles. Join philosophy professor, Mark Rollins for a fascinating look at the Science of Perception and Artistic Style. Craft Alliance at Grand Center 501 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103 Directions and Parking at http://www.craftalliance.org.htm FREE and OPEN to ALL. Seating is limited. Registration required. To RSVP call 314-533-8586, or email lfendler@academyofsciencestl.org Photos courtesy of Craft Alliance

Jul 30th, 2010 (Fri) From Elegant Adventure to Necessary Nuisance: The Evolving Airline Passenger Experience in America Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM A book signing and talk with… Featured Speaker: Daniel L. Rust, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Center for Transportation Studies, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and author of, Flying Across America: The Airline Passenger Experience Americans who now endure the inconveniences of crowded airports, packed airplanes, added fees, and missed connections might not realize that flying was once an elegant, exhilarating adventure. In the beginning, flying coast-to-coast was an exciting yet uncomfortable journey of nearly forty-eight hours that required numerous stops and overnight travel by train. With time and technical innovation, passengers became increasingly removed both physically and psychologically from the raw experience of flying. Faster planes, pressurized cabins, onboard amenities, and stronger safety precautions made flying more convenient and predicable—but also less evocative and sensational. Prior to the 1980s, many Americans dressed for air travel in their formal best and enjoyed such onboard amenities as delicious meals and ample cabin space. What made air travel glamorous, however, also made it more expensive. With deregulation in 1978, cost reductions reduced flying to a more tedious and, after 9/11, more regimented experience. In his colorful book, Flying Across America: The Airline Passenger Experience, Daniel L. Rust traces the evolution of commercial air travel from the first transcontinental expeditions of the 1920s, through the luxurious airline environments of the 1950s and 1960s, to the more hectic, fatiguing experiences of flying in the post-9/11 era. Rust’s narrative brims with firsthand accounts from such celebrities as Will Rogers and from ordinary Americans. Enlivened by more than 100 illustrations, including vintage brochures, posters, and photographs, Flying Across America reminds today’s airline passengers of what they have gained—and what they have lost—in the transcontinental flying experience. OASIS – Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Aug 12th, 2010 (Thu) STAR PARTY - OVERNIGHT TO VIEW THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWERS! Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 AM The STAR PARTY is an annual favorite! Rich Heuermann, Administrative Officer, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium, Washington University and St. Louis Astronomical Society will provide an overview of the night sky and the Perseids. Be prepared to stay up late! Let's hope for good weather and a clear sky as we view hundreds of shooting stars! Cost is minimal at $30 each which includes welcome bar-b-q, snacks, night in a log cabin, guided night hike, guided Perseid viewing, and continental breakfast! Junior Academy Event - open to Junior Academy members and their families (siblings need to be over 7 years old to attend) Photo Credit: NASA RSVP by August 5th. (RSVP early as space is limited) Send e-mail to peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org

Aug 17th, 2010 (Tue) Mind Over Matter: The Future of Brain Computer Interfaces Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM The doctors with joysticks (Eric Leuthardt, seated, and Matthew Smyth, standing) engage in a game of Space Invaders while biomedical engineer Daniel Moran looks on behind the computer screen. Photo by David Kilper / WUSTL Photo Featured Speaker: Eric C. Leuthardt, MD,Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Biomedical Engineering and Director, Center for Innovation in Neuroscience and Technology, Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery; 2007 Academy of Science Innovation Award recipient Over the last decade the idea of machines that can be controlled by one's thoughts has emerged from the realm of fiction to one of serious scientific inquiry. These types of devices hold tremendous promise for improving the quality of life of individuals who are cognitively intact yet motor impaired. Join Eric Leuthardt, M.D., assistant professor of Neurological Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at Washington University, as he discusses human brain signals, how these signals are decoded, the implications they hold for brain computer interfaces, and how the world will change when we can control devices with our thoughts alone. Presented in conjunction with the History Museum gallery installation, The Americans with Disabilities Act: Twenty Years Later, on display at the Missouri History Museum, June 26, 2010 – June 6, 2011. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Sep 10th, 2010 (Fri) -- Sep 11th, 2010 (Sat) BioBlitz - A 24 HOUR EXPLORATION OF THE BIODIVERSITY IN FOREST PARK! Time: 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM Join teams of scientists and skilled naturalists during the 24-hour expedition in Forest Park. Expeditions leaving every hour from the base camp which is located behind the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center (Forest Park Forever Building). Families with nature lovers, budding scientists and experienced naturalists of all ages are invited. Here’s your chance to learn about everything from fish to fireflies, bats to butterflies. For details, visit http://academyofsciencestl.org/initiatives/bioblitz.php Students under the age of 18 need to attend with an adult. REGISTRATION IS FULL - THANK YOU TO THE TEAM LEADERS! See you at base camp! NOTE: must be pre-registered to participate Sponsored by: and

Oct 5th, 2010 (Tue) Scent of a Male Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cheryl S. Asa, Ph.D., Fellow and 2009 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Fellows Award recipient, Academy of Science – St. Louis; Director of Research, Saint Louis Zoo How do animals, including humans, find the right mate? In most species females do the choosing. They look for males that are attractive, which can mean different things in different species, but females also look for males that are a good genetic match. A male with “good genes” may be attractive to most if not all females, but if he’s a close relative, he won’t be a good genetic match. That means females also have to determine a male’s genetic distance to avoid inbreeding. When searching for the best match, females respond to subtle differences in male scent; and the way this genetically determined “odor fingerprint” affects a female appears to be similar across species, including humans. Female cheetahs are notorious for being choosy, so the Saint Louis Zoo is studying how they use male scent marks to pick the best genetic match. Reproductive biologist, Dr. Cheryl Asa, talks about the nature and chemistry of pairing up. Photo © John Storjohann, courtesy Saint Louis Zoo Tour the Tables! From 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm representatives will be available in the lobby outside of the theater! Grab some brochures and ask your questions about students opportunities! Organizations include: Academy of Science of St. Louis - Junior Academy, American Association of University Women, Challenger Learning Center - St. Louis, Cub Creek Science Camp, Missouri Botanical Garden & Shaw Nature Reserve, Missouri Junior Science, Engineering & Humanities Symposium-UMSL, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis Community College - Flo Valley Tech Programs, St. Louis Community College - Meramec, (STARS)Students and Teachers as Research Scientists -UMSL, The Magic House, Tyson Research Center - Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri Health/Science Outreach Programs To be held at: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. FREE parking in high school lot. STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. Junior Academy of Science http://academyofsciencestl.org/initiatives/junior_academy.php-- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Oct 6th, 2010 (Wed) Brain Matters: Keeping it Fit! Preserving the Health of Our Aging Brains Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Featured Speaker: Pascale Michelon, Ph.D., Owner and Director, The Memory Practice; Adjunct Faculty, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis Our population is aging, one in every eight Americans is 65 or older-- Alzheimer's disease is discussed almost daily in the media, and the number of brain fitness products keeps growing. Cognitive scientist, Dr. Pascale Michelon, talks about the impact of lifestyle on the functions of our aging brains and how to keep our brains healthy. You’ll learn about the brain and memory and how they work and age; explore what a brain healthy lifestyle is: balanced nutrition, stress management, physical and mental exercises; and hear about tools and techniques you can use to keep your brain sharp in this fascinating talk on preserving the health of our aging brains. To be held at: Kirkwood OASIS - Kirkwood Community Center 111 South Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Oct 6th, 2010 (Wed) Are There Martians in Australia? Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Melanie Mormile, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences; Joint Faculty Appointment, Department of Geosciences and Geological Engineering; Senior Investigator, Environmental Research Center, Missouri University of Science & Technology Astrobiologists are intrigued by evidence that Mars had acidic saline waters. If our closest planetary neighbor once possessed water, it may also have harbored life. Western Australia, with its hyper-saline lakes, is one of the few places on Earth similar to Mars. Both possess strikingly similar sedimentary deposits produced in very salty and acidic waters. If life existed on Mars, it likely would have been similar to the microorganisms that thrive in the lakes of Australia. Dr. Melanie Mormile takes us on a journey of discovery to Western Australia with a group of geologists and microbiologists to study the area’s hypersaline lakes and the possibility of life in these salty, acidic and metal-rich conditions. And she tells us what their journey of discovery says about the possibility of life on Mars. All Seminars are held in The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Oct 12th, 2010 (Tue) The Science (and Art) of Later Life Creativity-- an On Science Series talk and Maturity and Its Muse galleries exhibition featuring the work of 36 professional artists all over the age of 70 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Featured Speaker: Brian D. Carpenter, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis What does it mean to be creative in later life? How does aging influence an artist’s creativity? Does remaining creative influence an artist’s experience of growing older? Join us for a discussion of these questions and the methods scientists have used to study creativity in older adults. The Science (and Art) of Later Life Creativity features results from a recent research project here in St. Louis that includes professional visual artists over age 70. Following the lecture, you’re invited to visit an exhibition of these later life artists’ current work, Maturity and Its Muse, on display at The Sheldon Art Galleries. Seminar: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Artists Exhibition following from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm To be held at: The Sheldon Concert Hall 3648 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108 FREE and OPEN to ALL On Science Series co-sponsor: The Science (and Art) of Later Life Creativity and Maturity and Its Muse are supported in part by the Department of Psychology and the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, The Delmar Gardens Family, The Hallmark Creve Coeur, Brookdale Senior Living, and the Missouri Arts Council.

Oct 15th, 2010 (Fri) Putting the BP Macondo Blowout in Perspective: Basics of Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Offshore Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Featured Speaker: Shari Dunn-Norman, Ph.D., Head of Program and Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology How are oil and gas wells drilled offshore? And how does that oil get into my gas tank? What happened to cause the BP well to blowout? Join Dr. Shari Dunn-Norman for an overview of how oil and gas wells are developed offshore, both in relatively shallow and very deep water. Learn what the Gulf of Mexico looks like with the water removed and how many subsea wells and pipelines are used to move oil and gas to market for use. Dr. Norman provides a framework for understanding the drilling and development risks oil and gas companies face in very deep water, and helps explain what may have gone wrong for BP. Dr. Shari Dunn-Norman teaches offshore oil technology within the Petroleum Engineering program at Missouri S&T. She spent eight years working for Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), and is the author of a book and many papers on well construction methods. To be held at: Forest Park OASIS - Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Oct 19th, 2010 (Tue) Homestead Earth: An Evening with Women Environmentalists Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Panelists: Danielle Lee, Ph.D., blogger, Urban Science Adventures© and Urban Outreach Coordinator, SCOPE Missouri Marjorie Melton, PE, LEED, AP, U.S. Green Building Council and CEO, M3 Engineering Group PC Catherine Werner, JD, LEED AP, Sustainability Director, City of St. Louis Women have historically been thought of as caretakers. By tending to their households and families, providing nourishment, and cultivating the land, they shaped the places that we called home. Many of today’s women have upended this traditional role, moving it into the professional scientific, engineering, and political worlds, acting as stewards of the earth and tenders of community health and wellbeing. Join us as we welcome a panel of local women who have put their knowledge to work as caretakers of the environment. Panelists include Catherine Werner, an environmental lawyer and St. Louis’ first sustainability director; Marjorie Melton, with the U.S. Green Building Council and CEO of M3 Engineering; and Danielle Lee, an outreach scientist and blogger whose work focuses on urban ecology. Presented in conjunction with the History Museum gallery installation, Homelands: How Women Made the West, on display at the Missouri History Museum, October 17, 2010 – January 15, 2011. To be held at: Missouri History Museum – Lee Auditorium Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri 63112 FREE and OPEN to ALL. Middle and high school students welcome. Parking free in Museum lots or in Forest Park. Perspectives on Science & History Series Co-sponsored by:

Oct 21st, 2010 (Thu) Missions to the International Space Station - NASA Astronaut Lt. Col. Dr. Robert L. Behnken Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Great opportunity to attend a Science Seminar led by NASA Astronaut, Lt. Col. Dr. Robert L. Behnken! In 2008, Washington University Alumnus Bob Behnken traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) for 16 days, on a mission that delivered the first component of the Japanese Experimental Module and the Canadian robotic manipulator Dextre. In 2010 he again visited the ISS, this time for 14 days on a mission delivering the Node 3 habitation module and the seven windowed Cupola. During these missions he performed a total of six spacewalks, as well numerous other ISS assembly tasks. He will present details of NASA’s manned exploration activities as well as discuss his experiences as a space shuttle crewmember and life on the ISS. Location: Washington University Laboratory Sciences Building, Room 300 Free and open to Junior Academy members and the general public Students in grades 6-12 welcome! To RSVP, e-mail peggyw@academyofsciencestl.org Parking is available in the parking garage immediately next to Forest Park Parkway, between Big Bend and Skinker

Oct 26th, 2010 (Tue) Conserving the Cool: Humboldt Penguins Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Michael Macek, Curator of Birds, Saint Louis Zoo and Director of the Center for Conservation of the Humboldt Penguin in Punta San Juan, Peru, provides a fascinating overview of the conservation challenges and successes faced by Humboldt penguins. Photo courtesy Saint Louis Zoo Come find out about the history of the Humboldt penguin and its relationship with Peruvian culture. Discover the role American Zoos have played in its conservation, including the evolution of the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Center for Conservation of the Humboldt Penguin. Learn about current WildCare conservation initiatives, perceived future threats and recent conservation successes. To be held at The Living World (north side of Zoo) Parking FREE in Zoo North Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 RSVP not required Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Nov 3rd, 2010 (Wed) Irrational Scientific Ideas: A Science Café… engaging, casual, comfortable conversation exploring what we think we know about science Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Hal Harris, Ph.D., 2010 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Educator Award recipient, Academy of Science - St. Louis; Associate Professor of Chemistry and Education, University of Missouri - St. Louis; author of the online Journal of Chemical Education column, Hal’s Picks of the Month Wet Your Whistle Refreshments available: water, lemonade, and coffee Ideally, science is an open process of investigation, followed by competition between ideas as judged by knowledgeable peers, and constantly tested by measurements. It doesn’t always work that way, and public discourse about scientific subjects often bears only accidental resemblance to science itself, leading to unwise investments of public and private resources. Americans haven’t made up their minds about science. We bought 8.6 billion gallons of expensive bottled water in 2008, because bottled water contains fewer “chemicals” — or does it? We flock to “health food” stores that resemble the chemical storerooms of research laboratories. Is our chemophobia switch turned on and off between storefronts? Are cell phones and wireless devices safe for adults and children? What does the best science say about this? People want to be more environmentally responsible but not at the cost of money or convenience. The transition from fossil fuels is likely to be both costly and inconvenient. Which alternatives look best? There’s lots of time for questions in this thoughtful and engaging Science Café sure to challenge your irrational scientific ideas. NOTE: SCIENCE CAFE TO BE HELD IN THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO RIVER CAMP. (ZOO SOUTH ENTRANCE) Parking FREE in Zoo SOUTH Lot. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Nov 10th, 2010 (Wed) Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum--Global Climate Change: Environmental Impacts, Human Society, and Policy Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Each year the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center organizes and co-sponsors the Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for interaction between conservation organizations and the general public. FREE and OPEN to ALL. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Email hintonpa@umsl.edu, or call 314-516-5219 for more information or to register. Light refreshments served. Conservation organizations are invited to describe their mission, activities and achievements through tabletop displays. If you would like to have a display at the forum, please complete and return a registration form by Friday, October 29, 2010. Download the form at: http://hwec.umsl.edu/outreach/forum-history.html To be held at: Shoenberg Auditorium and Ridgway Center Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum co-sponsors: Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Garden, Academy of Science – St. Louis

Nov 12th, 2010 (Fri) Nominations for 2011 Outstanding Scientist Awards due today Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nominations for the 2011 Outstanding Scientist Awards are due by 5:00 pm November 12, 2010. Awards to be presented at the Academy of Science 2011 Outstanding Scientist Dinner at the Chase Park Plaza on April 13, 2011. Academy of Science website for details http://academyofsciencestl.org/initiatives/outstanding_scientists.php

Nov 16th, 2010 (Tue) The Moon and Merlot: A Tourist’s Guide to the Moon Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker: Rich Heuermann, Administrative Officer, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and campus Outreach Program Coordinator, NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium, Washington University in St. Louis Want to really get away from it all? Not just a few hundred miles up to the International Space Station, or a few decades into the future for a trip to an orbiting hotel-- take the long distance, long-range view and plan a vacation to the Moon! Your own giant leap will place you in a world of deep craters and lava plains, where the Earth always sparkles, day and night, in a jet-black sky. Robot explorers will give way to human crews in permanent moon bases. At first they will be scientific outposts and experimental factories, but lunar resorts and moonlight cruises will surely follow. Climb some lunar mountains or trek winding canyons, carved by streams of lava rather than flowing water. Gather moon rocks from a crater wall. NASA images from the lunar surface and from orbiting spacecraft are featured in A Tourist’s Guide To the Moon. To be held at: OASIS at The Willows at Brooking Park 211 South Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017-3416 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Nov 18th, 2010 (Thu) Diversity in Science Panel Discussion Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Panelists discuss their careers in science and medicine. Additional panelists to be announced. Visit again shortly for more information. Panelists: Medhat Osman, M.D., Sc.M, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Nuclear Medicine, Division of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Saint Louis University School of Medicine Topic: PET/CT: The Most Important Cancer Imaging Model Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) diagnoses, stages, and restages many cancers with an accuracy ranging from 80-90% and is often better than anatomical imaging modalities. PET/CT is currently considered the most important cancer imaging modality. Since the introduction of PET/CT in the late 1990’s, numerous studies have shown that whole-body (WB) dual-modality imaging is better than PET or CT alone for staging and restaging most cancers, but the term whole body is misleading. Whole Body PET/CT scans typically scan from the base of the skull to the upper thigh. True Body Scans-- extending from the top of the skull to the bottom of the feet-- detect as much as eight percent of cancerous legions that occur outside the current imaging field, offering hope for improved treatment and prognosis. True Body Scan creator, Dr. Medhat Osman talks about the latest in cancer imaging. Rumi Kato Price, Ph.D., MPE, Research Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director, NIDA Training Program, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine Topic: Home Front: Working with Missouri’s Returning Soldiers Military science is not limited to improving drones, detection of IEDs, or smart prosthetics. Today’s US military invests considerable resources in human fitness, and not merely physical, but psychological as well. Look around your own community-- you may find a daughter of the corner grocer coming back from Iraq, or a high school friend of your older brother leaving for Afghanistan. A great number of soldiers return home from tours of duty overseas suffering from psychological injuries. Find out what life is like for Missouri’s citizen soldiers once they return home from armed conflict, how their families suffer and cope to put their lives back together, and how you can help. You’ll learn about the science of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury-- two signature injuries of the Iraq and Afghani conflicts, in this timely and revealing look at the psychological health of our sons and daughters home from war. Miquia Henderson, M.D./Ph.D. CandidateMedical Scientist Training Program, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine Topic: On the Road to being a Physician-Scientist: a Student's Perspective Graduate student Miquia Henderson talks about the intersection of science and medicine, why she's chosen a career in both, and her research on how fat causes cells to die. To be held at: Kirkwood High School Keating Theater, 801 West Essex, Kirkwood, MO 63122 FREE and OPEN to ALL—middle and high school students, teachers, adults and the general public. Registration not required. FREE parking in high school lot. STUDENT OPPORTUNITES TO COMPETE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS— two $250 scholarships for middle and high school students. Attend 3 - 4 seminars or panel discussions and write about your experience. Scholarship decisions announced in May 2011. DRAWINGS FOR TWO FREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ACADEMY MEMBERSHIPS at each Pioneering Science Seminar. Junior Academy of Science http://academyofsciencestl.org/initiatives/junior_academy.php-- Real-world science opportunities and field trips monthly— for students of all abilities in grades 6 - 12. Pioneering Science Series co-sponsor:

Nov 23rd, 2010 (Tue) Creepy Crawly Conservation-RESCHEDULED to December 7th (due to construction delays) Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Due to construction delays, THE DATE FOR THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED.  PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE NEW DATE. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Creepy Crawly Conservation: The Value of Invertebrates, new date is:  Tuesday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. Saint Louis Zoo - Living World Auditorium

Nov 30th, 2010 (Tue) Mars and Martinis: A Tourist’s Guide to Mars Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Featured Speaker: Rich Heuermann, Administrative Officer, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and campus Outreach Program Coordinator, NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium, Washington University in St. Louis The exotic vacation destination in only a century or so may be – the Red Planet, Mars! Where will tourists go, and what will they see? Prime real estate is available just about anywhere, as our robot explorers are discovering. More than six years after their arrival, two roving laboratories still inch along the dusty hills and plains of the Red Planet. Overhead three orbiting spacecraft probe the Martian surface. Eventually, scientists will follow the robot scouts. And where science blazes a trail, travel agents are almost sure to follow with vacation packages-- Possibly a climb down a crater wall; perhaps a hike up a volcano larger than the entire state of Arizona; maybe a trip along a canyon over 2,500 miles long, up to 300 miles wide, and, in places, four miles deep. NASA images from the Martian surface and from the Martian sky are featured in A Tourist’s Guide To Mars. To be held at: OASIS at Breeze Park 600 Breeze Park Drive, St. Charles, MO 63304 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Dec 1st, 2010 (Wed) Flipping the Switch: Brain Science Potentials for Smart Grid Technology Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Due to construction delays, THE LOCATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED.  PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE NEW LOCATION. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Featured Speaker: Ganesh Kumar Venayagamoorthy, Ph.D., 2010 Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Innovation Award recipient, Academy of Science – St. Louis; Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and founder, Real-Time Power and Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Missouri University of Science and Technology Brains are exquisitely good at adaptive, real-time interaction with the world. Their neural systems are highly effective at time-critical control problems because they adapt and learn. Brain inspired technologies such as the smart grid – an intelligent electricity infrastructure – could revolutionize the control of large complex infrastructures like our nation's electric grid. Biologically-inspired artificial neural networks (BIANNs), have the potential to provide increased responsiveness to changing power loads and component failures, improve the behavior of the power network and grid reliability, ensuring better stability and security, maximum utilization of renewable energy, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Venayagamoorthy talks about the marriage of information-age technologies with neuroscience and their promise to revolutionize how we flip on the lights in this fascinating look at the future of our nation's power grid. Flipping the Switch: Brain Science Potentials for Smart Grid Technology, is now being held at: The Saint Louis Zoo River Camp Wednesday, December 1, 7:30 p.m. PARKING for this event is: SOUTH LOT ONLY. ENTRANCE to the ZOO for this event is through the: SOUTH ENTRANCE ONLY. (The Zoo North Lot and Living World Entrance will be closed on Dec. 1. FREE & OPEN to ALL. Registration not required. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Science Seminar Series Co-sponsored by:

Dec 2nd, 2010 (Thu) Literary Darwinism: Its Historical Position Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Featured Speaker: Joseph Carroll, Ph.D., Curators’ Professor of English, University of Missouri—St. Louis The evolutionary human sciences are entering a mature phase, but have until recently operated on an incomplete understanding of imaginative culture— religion, ideology, myth, the arts, and intellectual life. That incomplete picture is now being advanced by evolutionary thinking in the humanities. A more comprehensive model of human nature is now within our reach, and it is already possible to describe a basic analytic structure for “bio-cultural critique.” Dr. Carroll argues that literature and other forms of imaginative culture derive their power from biologically grounded motives and emotions. In this fascinating look at the intersection of evolutionary psychology and the arts, Dr. Carroll describes Literary Darwinism and locates it in the context of evolutionary thinking over the past two centuries. To learn more about Dr. Carroll and literary Darwinism visit http://www.umsl.edu/~carrolljc/ Photos: © Elizabeth Keithline Presented in conjunction with the Craft Alliance exhibition, Smarter/Faster/Higher: Works by Elizabeth Keithline, on display through Sunday, January 7, 2011. For more on Smarter/Faster/Higher, visit http://www.craftalliance.org/exhibitions.htm Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM (talk and gallery exhibition) Craft Alliance in the Kranzberg Arts Center 501 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103 Directions and Parking at http://www.craftalliance.org/contact.htm FREE and OPEN to ALL. Seating is limited. Registration required. To RSVP call 314-533-8586, or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org.

Dec 7th, 2010 (Tue) Creepy Crawly Conservation: The Value of Invertebrates Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Featured Speaker: Jennifer Hopwood,Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Though often overlooked or even despised, insects and other animals without backbones are surprisingly essential to our daily lives. While some are harmful, those that spread disease and eat our crops make up a small fraction of the known species; the rest are indispensable members of nearly every ecosystem. Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and flies, pollinate many flowering species, including many agricultural crops we rely on for food. Seeds and nuts, also a product of pollination, are an important food source for birds and mammals. But pollinators are not immune to destruction, and this presentation will include an overview of pollinator conservation efforts underway to protect the animals that contribute to human health as well as to the health of entire ecosystems. All Conservation Conversations are held in the St. Louis Zoo Living World auditorium and parking is free in the Zoo North Lot. For more information call 314-533-8586 or email rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org Conservation Conversations are Co-sponsored by:

Dec 9th, 2010 (Thu) I Forgot to Pick Up the Milk: Some Surprising Findings on Memory and Aging, and Strategies for Improving Memory Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Seminar and book signing Featured Speaker: Mark McDaniel, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis and author, Prospective Memory and Memory Fitness: A Guide for Successful Aging A forgotten telephone number, a familiar face and a name you can’t recall, remembering to pay a due bill, or pick up bread on the way home, remembering the way home-- do I remember the way home? Memory is central to our daily lives. Lapses in memory can be distressing, and some-- potentially alarming. Do all adults experience memory difficulties as they age? What is the difference between normal memory change and the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Is it possible to stem, or even reverse memory decline? Washington University psychologist and memory expert, Dr. Mark McDaniel provides insight into what the scientific research suggests will happen to our memory capabilities as we age, explores the memory challenges we all face as we grow older, and offers the layperson suggestions and strategies for improving memory. Don’t forget to join us for a fascinating look at memory and aging! Copies of Memory Fitness: A Guide for Successful Aging, are available. To be held at: OASIS at the Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Dec 10th, 2010 (Fri) Working Under Pressure: Scientific Considerations in the Construction of the Eads Bridge Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Featured Speaker: Hal Harris, Ph.D., 2010 Science Educator Award Recipient, Academy of Science – St. Louis; Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri – St. Louis One of the architects behind the founding of The Academy of Science - St. Louis, James B. Eads, is also the architect and engineer behind the building of one of St. Louis’ most iconic landmarks-- the Eads Bridge. Familiar to all St. Louisans, the bridge is a marvel worthy of awe, even 135 years after it was opened. Besides working under the constraints of engineering goals designed to be impossible to meet, Mr. Eads, had to deal with the challenges of excavating under the Mississippi to bedrock 100 feet below the river surface. His workers labored by torchlight in caissons Eads had designed, at pressures above 60 psi (pounds per square inch). Fourteen men died and more than one hundred were affected by “the bends,” whose scientific investigation began with Eads’ first (and last) bridge. Don’t miss this captivating tale of the science in the building of the world’s first alloy steel bridge. To be held at: Forest Park OASIS - Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor Center 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 FREE to the first 10 registrants, $9 per person thereafter. OPEN to ALL. Space is limited. To register call 314-533-8586 or e-mail rsvp@academyofsciencestl.org On Science Series co-sponsor:

Dec 14th, 2010 (Tue) <