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Scientific Literacy/Scientific Frontiers

There is widespread concern on the part of scientists, educators at all levels, industrialists, politicians and the media, of how a greater measure of scientific literacy can be obtained. One goal of this seminar is to learn how scientific literacy can help society understand the work that is being done at the frontiers of science. Another goal is to obtain information from various institutions and organizations about the methods that are being offered to increase the level of scientific literacy of our society, and what are the frontiers of science. Invited speakers will include pre-college and college educators, scientists from professional, educational and scientific institutions and organizations, industrialists, appointed and elected officials, authors, and media representatives.

Seminar: #611
Founded: 1986

Seminar Administration

Chair:
Jean Delfiner
Councilor, American Chemical Society, New York Section
(914) 961-8882
jadelfiner@verizon.net

Rapporteur:
Melinda Marshall
Columbia University, Graduate School Arts & Sciences
mmm2274@columbia.edu

Spring 2009 Meetings:

Feb 13: Dr. David W. Hogg, Associate Professor, Center for Cosmology and Particle Physics, Dept. of Physics (email: david.hogg@nyu.edu), "Massive Data Sets in Astrophysics Including Sloan Digital Sky Survey."       

Dr. Hogg participates in and uses the very large Sloan Digital Sky Survey and other large surveys. His group maintains and uses more than 30 Tb of astronomical data. They do science with and create new data analysis techniques for data sets of non-trivial size and complexity. They have started a big project on automating astrometry, which is crucial for the next generation of enormous astrophysics projects.

Mar 13: Dr. William Horak, Chair, Energy Sciences and Technology Department (email: horak@bnl.gov), "Integrated Planning for Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability."

Apr 3: "Demo Derby," an evening of non-stop demonstrations (5-8 minutes max.) If you want to participate, just bring your demo along with clean-up equipment and your safety apparel, and write your name on the board. Remember, it's quick, quick, quick. You're not teaching, just showing what can be demonstrated in the classroom.

All meetings are at NYU, Silver Center Room 207, 32 Waverly Place (southeast corner Washington Sq. East) Manhattan, NY 10003, Fridays at 7:15 PM
POLITICS
LITERATURE, RELIGION AND THE ARTS
CULTURAL STUDIES
HISTORY
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC MEDIA
SCIENCE
Pollution and Water Resources: Scientific and Institutional Aspects
Death
Appetitive Behavior
Population Biology
The History and Philosophy of Science
Genetic Epidemiology
Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
Scientific Literacy/Scientific Frontiers
Cancer
Legal and Social Environmental Issues
Language and Cognition
Psychoanalytic Studies
Urbanism and Public Health
Science & Religion
Occupational Health and Injury Prevention
Educating Scientists
REGIONAL STUDIES
SOCIETY
ALPHABETICAL LISTING