‘kids of all ages’ that ‘science is fun’
Science Saturdays, a series that brings the excitement of research and
the passion of scientists to “kids of all ages,” will return on
April 5 and continue through April 26.
The talks and demonstrations are aimed at youngsters in middle school and above,
and are free and open to all interested members of the public, regardless of
their age. The programs run from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Davies Auditorium of Becton
Center, 15 Prospect St.
Ainissa G. Ramirez, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Yale,
came up with the concept for the popular series in 2004 while writing a grant
proposal to the National Science Foundation. One contingency of the grant was
to share the research with the general public. While Ramirez initially envisioned “a
few talks that might draw an audience of about 50,” the public response
to the Science Saturday series was overwhelming from the beginning.
To date 20 researchers have engaged students and other interested individuals
with their projects and personal perspectives. Ramirez says, “The success
of the series can be attributed to the Science Saturdays 3Ds — Demonstrations,
Donuts and Dynamic lectures.
“Science Saturdays focuses on topics that are fun, challenging and relevant
to issues of everyday living,” adds Ramirez. “It brings out the ‘face’ and ‘personality’ of
scientists and their science — shattering stereotypes and creating a sense
of ‘I understand that’ in the participants.”
“Science is fun,” Ramirez declares. “Understanding how things
work and inventing and creating new possibilities are basic benefits of being
a scientist. This program aims to show that and highlight a few of the areas
that are making news now.”
Ramirez, a much honored materials scientist, has nurtured and expanded this program.
Yale honored Ramirez and the Science Saturdays program with the Elm-Ivy Award,
and the Office of the Provost is supporting the expansion of Science Saturdays
so that future series may include scientists from other institutions.
“It is exciting and tremendously rewarding to see the response this
program has received from Yale and New Haven,” says Ramirez. “Having
the programs re-broadcast on our local CTV was a first step in expanding the
program. While we are looking for ways to branch out and reach more people,
we now have DVDs available for teachers and institutions, and the programs
are streamed on our website, www.sciencesaturdays.org.”
Brief descriptions of the spring 2008 Science Saturday lectures follow:
• April 5: "Wheeled Machines that Balance: The Segway Personal Transporter and the Segway Robotic Mobility Platform" with John Morrell, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
• April 12: “Using Magnets to Look at Molecules” with chemist
Kurt Zilm.
• April 19: “If the Walls Could Think: Smart Materials in Buildings” with
architect and engineer Michelle Addington.
Defined as “engineered materials that respond intelligently to their environment,” smart
materials — such as shape memory fabrics, color-changing paint and micromachines — have
become the answer for the 21st century’s technological needs. NASA hopes
to use smart materials to lead the first major change in aeronautic technology
since the development of supersonic flight, and the U.S Defense Department sees
smart materials as a way to equip the soldier of the future with everything from
smart tourniquets to chameleon-like clothing. Addington will discuss both the
history and future potenial of smart materials, and demonstrate how some of them
work.
• April 26: “Viruses: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” with evolutionary
biologist Paul Turner.
Viruses are the tiniest organisms on the planet, but also the most numerous.
They are literally everywhere — in the air, in the water and in food. Viruses
are feared for their ability to cause deadly epidemics. However, viruses are
not all bad. In fact, many are vital for maintaining a healthy body and a healthy
planetary ecosystem. Turner will describe the sub-microscopic world of viruses,
and human efforts to combat virus diseases.
The Science Saturdays program is supported in part by the National Science Foundation,
the Yale Faculty of Engineering, the National Society of Black Engineers, the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale Scientific Magazine, Tau Beta Pi and Scienceworks.
More information is available by contacting Ainissa Ramirez at ainissa.ramirez@yale.edu.
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