2018-2019

Science Pubs 2018-2019


April 16, 2019 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

What You Need to Know About the Little, Deep Earth Zombies

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Frederick "Rick" Colwell; Oregon State University; College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; OSU-Cascades
Frederick "Rick" S. Colwell, Professor, OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

In recent decades, microbiologists have discovered single cell life beneath the earth's surface, at least a few kilometers underground. By using mines or drilling platforms to get deep samples, new analytical techniques to study microorganisms, and the cooperation of earth science researchers, our knowledge of Earth’s biosphere has vastly expanded. At this Science Pub, OSU microbiologist Rick Colwell will describe how he and other researchers explore "deep life" beneath our feet and the microorganisms they find there (are they really zombies?).  Colwell will also share some of the fascinating mysteries of life underground and offer why deep life should be important to all of us.

The event is sold out.


March 19, 2019 - The Belfry, Sisters

America First. Isolationism and U.S. Global Engagement in Historical Perspective

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Christopher McKnight Nichols; Oregon State University - Cascades; OSU-Cascades; OSU College of Liberal Arts; OSU Center for the Humanities
Christopher McKnight Nichols, Associate Professor, OSU College of Liberal Arts and Director, OSU Center for the Humanities

Political science takes center stage at this Science Pub. Explore how in recent years, U.S. foreign policy shifted from post-WWII “Pax Americana,” which promised peaceful international relations and an open economy, yet with frequent interventions abroad, to “America First," which is premised on nationalism and highly selective engagement. What is the history of “America First”? How have past isolationism and global engagement shaped the present? What have been the grand strategies that U.S. policymakers have adopted and adapted to address contemporary challenges? What does this history suggest for the future? Christopher Nichols, Director of the OSU Center for the Humanities and Associate Professor of History, will address these crucial questions with an eye to history, policies, and ideas.

The event is sold out.


February 19, 2019 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

A Random Walk Along the River

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Sean Fleming
Sean Fleming, Courtesy Professor, OSU College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

Learn how mathematics and physics can reveal the hidden secrets of rivers, and insights into the deep relationships they have with landscapes, ecosystems and societies. Drawing on his recent Princeton University Press book, Where the River Flows: Scientific Reflections on Earth’s Waterways, Sean Fleming will look at topics like why rivers run where they do; how the same river can flood one year, yet dry up the next; how we forecast floods and water supplies; the impacts of climate change; and even whether rivers have “memories.” He also explores how science can help address the threats our watersheds face.

The event is sold out.


January 15, 2019 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

What Will Oregon’s Next Volcanic Eruption Look Like?

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Adam Kent, OSU College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Adam Kent, Professor, Geology Program Director, OSU College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

Oregon is one of the most volcanic U.S. states — there are thousands of volcanoes in our state. Most are inactive — but Oregon has four major volcanoes on the USGS’s high priority list for volcano monitoring: Mount Hood, Newberry Volcano, Crater Lake and South Sister. Geologist Adam Kent will share how the tools of geology and volcanology can help us understand what eruptions at these locations might look like and the hazards they might produce. Come take a tour of Oregon’s volcanoes — with short excursions to Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and the Caribbean.

The event is sold out.


November 26, 2018 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

Take a Landfill, Transform it into a University Campus

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OSU-Cascades campus expansion, pumice mine, remediation
Learn from OSU-Cascades planners and experts how the university-owned properties adjacent to the current campus will be transformed into an expanded university campus that will be a model for sustainability and innovation. Hear about the work civil, environmental and geotechnical engineers have done to understand the challenging landscape – and what’s beneath it – and plan for the future. Their plans have already garnered national attention for their sustainability and innovation.

The event is sold out.

 

October 16, 2018 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

Future Farms: Technology in the Field

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chad higgins, oregon state university college of agricultural sciences
Chad Higgins, Associate Professor, Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, OSU College of Agricultural Sciences; Head, OSU NEWAG Lab

Technology increases efficiency, productivity, control and automation in nearly every industry, including farming. Join OSU researcher Chad Higgins to explore how he and his students are testing the idea that RFID (radio-frequency identification) devices — commonly used to track inventory in retail stores — can generate a round-the-clock, area-wide picture of soil moisture. The data could help fine tune planting and irrigation schedules. The researchers are also using unmanned aerial systems (drones) to record light reflected from plant leaves and to translate data into indications of stress.

The event is sold out.

September 18, 2018 - McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend - Father Luke's Room

What Plants Grow Here?

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photo - linda hardison, oregon state university, oregon flora project
Linda Hardison, Assistant Professor, Senior Researcher; Director, Oregon Flora Project

What influences where plants occur? How do we know, and why does it matter? Come explore our state's botanical life with the director of the Oregon Flora Project. Oregon Flora is a comprehensive account of the plants of an area, including unknown plants. It houses information about the vascular plants of Oregon that grow without cultivation and allows users to explore them via an atlas, a checklist, a flora (a manual of scientific names) and a photo gallery. Information within Oregon Flora is available to scientists and generalists alike.

The event is sold out.