Carnegie Science Center's Podcast

Join the staff of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Digital Dome for a lecture on Cosmology, the study of the structure and evolution of the universe. In this episode, join Robert Marshall to learn about the history of our ever evolving understanding of the universe, explore different techniques for getting around astronomy's problems, and take steps to better understand the true reality of our own galaxy and the universe. This is Part 4 of 4.

Join the staff of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Digital Dome for a lecture on Cosmology, the study of the structure and evolution of the universe. In this episode, join Robert Marshall to learn about the history of our ever evolving understanding of the universe, explore different techniques for getting around astronomy's problems, and take steps to better understand the true reality of our own galaxy and the universe. This is Part 3 of 4.

Join the staff of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Digital Dome for a lecture on Cosmology, the study of the structure and evolution of the universe. In this episode, join Robert Marshall to learn about the history of our ever evolving understanding of the universe, explore different techniques for getting around astronomy's problems, and take steps to better understand the true reality of our own galaxy and the universe. This is Part 2 of 4.

Join the staff of Carnegie Science Center's Buhl Digital Dome for a lecture on Cosmology, the study of the structure and evolution of the universe. In this episode, join Robert Marshall to learn about the history of our ever evolving understanding of the universe, explore different techniques for getting around astronomy's problems, and take steps to better understand the true reality of our own galaxy and the universe.

This is Part 1 of 4.

Misha Angrist, PhD
Assistant Professor of the Practice
Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy

Here is a Human Being: At the Dawn of Personal Genomics
Misha Angrist knows the field of personal genomics well. In April 2007, he became the fourth subject in Harvard geneticist George Church's Personal Genome Project. In 2009, he was among the first few people to have his entire genome sequenced.

Dr. Angrist will share his experience as chronicled in is book, Here is a Human Being: At the Dawn of Personal Genomics, and present the pros, cons, and potential impact of personal genomics on human health and society. Misha Angrist holds a PhD degree in Genetics from Case Western Reserve University, and was formerly a board-eligible genetic counselor.

He received his MFA in Writing and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars, is a past winner of the Brenda L. Smart Fiction Prize, and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Dr. Angrist was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Don't miss this month's installment of Café Sci!

Tim Palucka, Angela Stabryla and Linda Ortenzo, co-organizers

Café Scientifique Pittsburgh

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 7 pm
Carnegie Science Center

What Are Lichens and What Do They Say About Air Quality in Our Region?

Join Matthew R. Opdyke, PhD, for a discussion of his recent research on the lichen community in southwestern Pennsylvania, which included surveys of Frick, Schenley, Mingo Creek parks, and Forbes State Forest. Opdyke's research explores lichens as air pollution indicators, as well their characteristics in rural and urban environments.

Lichen, a combination of algae and fungus, come in a variety of shapes and sizes with colorful names like candleflame, fluffy dust, and rough speckled shield. See photographs of lichens taken in southwestern Pennsylvania, learn how to identify lichens, and hear about conservation efforts in the region.

Opdyke provides a closer look at lichens and reveals their importance to our regional ecosystem. Don't miss this month's installment of Café Sci!

Date: Monday, May 2, 2011
Time: Doors open at 6 pm, and the program is 7–9 pm. Science Center doors close at 7:45 pm.
Location: Carnegie Science Center's Works Theater (fourth floor)

Please download the corresponding PowerPoint Presentation here: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B72jWNjNLuDcNDg1YmJiZWItNjgwZi00MzFmLTllMDQtNTRkZTVhOTMxOWRj&hl=en

The Marcellus Shale represents one of the largest reservoirs of unconventional natural gas in the world. It holds the potential to provide a source of energy and jobs. Its extraction, however, is non-trivial and if done without proper safeguards can result in the degradation of water and air quality, and loss of land use. John Stolz, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at Duquesne University, will lead a discussion, providing an overview of the industry, the processes involved in extraction, and the environmental impacts of drilling into the Marcellus Shale. Hear the answers to questions like: What chemicals are used in the fracking process? What are the environmental concerns about extracting gas from the Marcellus Shale? Can earthquakes be caused by fracking? These questions and more are covered, including a Q&A session at the end.

John Radzilowicz
Director of Science & Education
Carnegie Science Center

Dan Malerbo
Planetarium Education Coordinator
Carnegie Science Center

Historic Open Forum on the Future of Space Exploration at NASA

At the invitation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Carnegie Science Center is holding this town hall meeting to gather feedback for NASA's consideration in its strategic planning for the next decade of planetary and space science. This is the first time that NASA has asked its volunteer network and affiliates to hold an open forum on such an important topic. Carnegie Science Center is one of a few select locations across the nation employed by NASA to hold this public dialogue.

How will it work? Two Science Center staff with extensive expertise in astronomy – John Radzilowicz, and Dan Malerbo – will share the results of the 2013 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, released by the National Research Council (NRC), then solicit and record your feedback on the survey's findings!

NASA uses the Decadal Survey to guide its goals and objectives for space research, such as identifying the composition of our solar system, revealing the process that formed our universe, mapping the bio-history of the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, and predicting the future of our environment. NASA has six weeks to respond to the NRC with its reactions to the 2013 Decadal Survey. NASA will then use the data to shape its own 10-year plan for future space endeavors.

Join us for this unique and historic opportunity to influence the future of space exploration!

John Radzilowicz
Director of Science & Education
Carnegie Science Center

Dan Malerbo
Planetarium Education Coordinator
Carnegie Science Center

Historic Open Forum on the Future of Space Exploration at NASA

At the invitation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Carnegie Science Center is holding this town hall meeting to gather feedback for NASA's consideration in its strategic planning for the next decade of planetary and space science. This is the first time that NASA has asked its volunteer network and affiliates to hold an open forum on such an important topic. Carnegie Science Center is one of a few select locations across the nation employed by NASA to hold this public dialogue.

How will it work? Two Science Center staff with extensive expertise in astronomy – John Radzilowicz, and Dan Malerbo – will share the results of the 2013 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, released by the National Research Council (NRC), then solicit and record your feedback on the survey's findings!

NASA uses the Decadal Survey to guide its goals and objectives for space research, such as identifying the composition of our solar system, revealing the process that formed our universe, mapping the bio-history of the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, and predicting the future of our environment. NASA has six weeks to respond to the NRC with its reactions to the 2013 Decadal Survey. NASA will then use the data to shape its own 10-year plan for future space endeavors.

Join us for this unique and historic opportunity to influence the future of space exploration!