The Science & Society (SS) Series presents topics at the intersection of science, public policy, social issues, and daily life. These programs allow active engagement between policy makers, scientists and program participants.
Previous SS events have covered science in films, Women in STEM, the science of music, science education policy, gender stereotypes, and how curiosity-driven research impacts society.
Distinguished SS speakers have included Cristal Thomas, former Deputy Governor of Illinois; Robbert Dijkgraaf, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Advanced Study and Leon Levy Professor; and Lawrence Krauss, Ph.D., Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics Department, and Inaugural Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University.
Join us for an evening with John Rowe.
Mr. Rowe will address the rewards and challenges of investing in science and education, including the speculative nature of investing in much scientific work, the almost faith-based activity of investing in liberal arts education, and the successes and failures of investing in urban education. Continue reading “Investing in Science and Education: An Act of Faith”
The smell of roses, the taste of chocolate, and a touch of lipstick all have a few things in common. Of course, these items are often associated with Valentine’s Day, but they also are a great example of the various ways we are exposed to chemicals in our everyday lives. In this Science Speakeasy, we will evaluate the entire journey of some common chemicals, from point of manufacture to human exposure, and understand how risk assessors and regulators determine the safety of a chemical before its introduction into the environment and market
Mathematics can be tasty! It’s a way of thinking, and not just about numbers. Through unexpectedly connected examples from music, juggling, and baking, Eugenia Cheng, Ph.D., will show that math can be made fun and intriguing for all, through hands-on activities, examples that everyone can relate to, and funny stories. Continue reading “Mathematics — It’s As Easy as Pi!”
If you are a human being, you have biases — based on race, gender, sexual orientation, body shape and size, religion, height, and a host of other things. Despite our best intentions and without our self-awareness, they are the associations that creep into our thinking, and the implicit biases we hold often don’t line up with our stated beliefs. These biases can affect how we view and treat other people, and have serious, real-world implications. Continue reading “Unconscious Bias”
Join Us to Celebrate Our 10th Anniversary at Lagunitas Brewing Company!
Did you know that by simply spending your evening with us, enjoying a craft beer, you could help foster Chicago’s scientific community?
Check out this interview with Lance Grande!
Most of us have been to natural history museums–toured the exhibits, pored over collections of bugs and bones–but who decides what goes on display? How did it all end up there? And what exactly does a curator do?
Continue reading “Curators: Behind The Scenes of Natural History Museums with Lance Grande”
