Scientist Spotlight
Discover how science works alongside the pros at Scientist Spotlight. This program, always held on the first Saturday each month and at other times when we can, features local scientists who will share their work with you through hands-on activities and conversation. Learn how scientists detect cancer-causing genes, estimate fish populations, investigate the geology of Mars, and more.
Scientist Spotlight for May 5, 2012
Morning (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.):
Troy Buckley, "Stinky, Slimy Stomachs: How Do We Learn What Fish Eat?"
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA
Research Fisheries Biologist who uses the stomach contents of fish to understand the food web in the Bering Sea.
Carrie Johnson, "Survivor: The Immune System Challenge"
Seattle BioMed
It's tricky creating the vaccines that help your body fight and survive diseases - can you do it?
Kristina Knesting, "Light Absorption in Plastic Solar Cells"
Department of Chemistry, University of Washington
Explore how different materials capture light in order to help design new solar power technology.
Christina Owen, "The Birds and the Bees"
Formerly with the Department of Biology, University of Washington
Plants have evolved special shapes and colorings to attract different pollinators. Be a scientist and find out how flowers attract birds or bees.
Melinda Webster, "Sea Ice from Space" (in Portal to Current Research)
School of Oceanography, University of Washington
Can you tell the difference between clouds and ice from space? Draw where you think the sea ice is in the foggy Arctic, then use a satellite to help you find out where it actually exists.
Afternoon (2 - 5 pm):
Karlyn Beer, "Adversity Reveals Diversity: How Tiny Cells Make a BIG Splash"
Institute for Systems Biology and UW Molecular and Cellular Biology Department
Some cells and microbes can survive even the harshest environments, but how do they do it?
Ariah Kidder, "Planets' Magnetic Personalities"
Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington
Follow a particle through space along magnetic field lines. Why is the sun shooting charged particles at us and where do they go?
Michael Kimbro, "Finding Bugs In Software"
Last Mile Innovation Team, Microsoft
Is it easier to fix a problem if you can understand the process? Experience the process of software testing through a fun, hands-on challenge.
Alex Miller, "Chemical Catalysts"
Center for Enabling New Technologies through Catalysis, University of Washington
Come discover how catalysts make chemical reactions faster and more efficient, helping us make things like cell phones and renewable energy.
This program exclusively features Pacific Science Center Science Communication Fellows. Fellows are local science-based professionals who are trained in communication and committed to sharing their love of science with you.
Contact Dana Vukajlovich at (206) 269-5768 or dvukajlovich@pacsci.org for more information.
