Events of Interest—May 2008

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Note: Some events may require advance reservation, admission fees and/or a minimum age (for example, for events where alcohol is served).

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Featured Events in May

Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3:
“Covering Global Health” is a conference connecting journalists with experts to discuss news, trends and controversies in the fast-changing field of global health. NSWA is one of the partners presenting the conference. Panels examine topics such as climate change and emerging diseases, partnerships between drug companies and aid groups, the politics of international aid, new emerging diseases and how global health concerns affect us locally. The cost is $35.
Venue: UW South Campus Center.
A free pre-conference event, “Reporting Across Divides: Bringing Global Health Home,” takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Town Hall Seattle. Listen in as two nationally known science and health journalists - Brenda Wilson, of National Public Radio, and Donald McNeil. Jr., of The New York Times - discuss the challenges and complexities of covering global health issues. KIRO radio talk-show host Dave Ross will moderate.
Information and registration: https://www.com.washington.edu/cgh
Note: The advertised deadline to register was April 25 but there are a few spots left.

Monday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.:
NSWA monthly board meeting. Contact Michael Bradbury at mikeb@seanet.com to RSVP and get venue information.

Friday, May 30, 5 to 7 p.m.:
NSWA Freelance Friday Happy Hour at the Japanese Restaurant Wann (http://wann-izakaya.com/) in downtown Seattle. Please RSVP to Lisa Farino (LisaFarino@gmail.com) by 2 p.m. on the day of the event so she can reserve enough table space for all of us. You don’t need to be a freelancer to attend. Everyone is welcome.

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May Events

Thursday, May 1, through Sunday, May 4:
The 10th annual Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival features new films, inspirational speakers and filmmaking workshops. Venue: UW Johnson Hall. A full festival pass is $60. Prices for individual programs range from $7 to $20.
Information: http://www.hazelfilm.org

Thursday, May 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Science educator Dawn Sparks discusses using science notebooks as learning tools in the classroom. The $35 fee includes food and program materials. Venue: Pacific Science Center, Discovery Lab.
Information: Sarah Weagraff, (206) 443-2886 or sarah_weagraff@pacsci.org

Thursday, May 1, 11 a.m.:
Mitchell Sogin, senior scientist with the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., gives a talk titled “Microbial Population Structure of the World’s Oceans: an Underexplored Rare Biosphere.” The talk is hosted by the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Venue: Northwest Fisheries Science Center auditorium, 2725 Montlake Blvd. E.
Information: Blake Feist, (206) 860-3408 or blake.feist@noaa.gov

Thursday, May 1, 4 p.m.:
Author David Serlin talks about Touching Histories: Personality and Disability in Sex Studies of the 1930s. Serlin investigates a set of psychological and anatomical studies conducted by Carney Landis, a colleague of Alfred Kinsey’s, on a group of young disabled women living in New York City during the late 1930s. The talk is sponsored by the Simpson Center for the Humanities at UW and presented by UW’s Disability Studies Program. The program is free and open to the public. Venue: UW Communication 120.
Information: Julie Myers, myaj@u.washington.edu

Thursday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.:
British evolutionary biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant discuss the findings from long-term research into the biology of populations of Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands. The talk, titled “Evolution of Darwin’s Finches,” is part of the Walker Ames Lecture Series. The program is free and open to the public. Venue: UW Kane Hall, Room 120
Information: Danz | Walker-Ames Lectures

Thursday, May 1, through Saturday, May 3:
“Covering Global Health” is a conference connecting journalists with experts to discuss news, trends and controversies in the fast-changing field of global health. NSWA is one of the partners presenting the conference. A free public forum precedes the conference on Thursday night. See the extended listing above for details.

Saturday, May 3, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
Bill Stine, founder of model rocket supplier Quest Aerospace, presents a history of model rocketry. With his father G. Harry Stine, Stine is co-author of the 7th edition of The Handbook of Model Rocketry. A model rocket launch is planned, weather permitting. Program is free with museum admission. Venue: The Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South, William M. Allen Theater.
Information: http://www.museumofflight.org

Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.:
Elson S. Floyd, president of Washington State University, delivers the keynote address at the Fifth Annual Foundations of Science Fundraising Breakfast. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. Breakfast is free but donations are welcome. Venue: Pacific Science Center, Ackerley Family Exhibit Gallery.
Information: http://www.pacsci.org/breakfast

Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m.:
Carl Wunsch, professor of physical oceanography at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, gives a talk titled “The Ocean and Climate Change: Exciting Stories, Realistic Problems and the Future.” The free program is the UW Program on Climate Change’s seventh annual public lecture. Registration is not required. Venue: UW Kane Hall 120. Reception follows in Walker-Ames Room.
Information: http://www.uwpcc.washington.edu

Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
The University of Oregon School of Journalism hosts the Dixon Narrative Workshop, a “nuts-and-bolts exploration of the art and craft of narrative journalism” with writers Lauren Kessler, Katie Campbell and Michael Werner. Venue: George S. Turnbull Center, 70 N.W. Couch St., Portland. Cost is $125.
Information and registration: http://jcomm.uoregon.edu/narrative

Monday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.:
NSWA monthly board meeting. Contact Michael Bradbury at mikeb@seanet.com to RSVP and get venue information.

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.:
Leonard Mlodinow discusses his new book, The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives. Co-author with Stephen Hawking of A Briefer History of Time, Mlodinow draws upon Stephen Jay Gould’s “drunkard’s walk” model to account for the evolution of complexity. A physicist by profession, he was a scriptwriter for television series including “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “MacGyver.” Sponsored by Town Hall Seattle and University Book Store as part of the Seattle Science Lecture series. Admission is $5 at the door. Venue: Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave., downstairs.
Information: http://www.townhallseattle.org

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.:
Simon Winchester discusses his new book, The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom. The book tells the story of Joseph Needham, a freethinking Cambridge scientist, who discovered the long history of China’s technological evolution. Part of the Seattle Science Lectures series. Venue: UW Kane Hall 130.
Information: http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

Thursday, May 15, 2008, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.:
Jack Szostak, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, delivers the UW Department of Chemistry’s Daubin Lecture. His talk is titled “What Can We Learn About the Origin of Life from Efforts to Design an Artificial Cell?” Venue: UW Bagley Hall 154.
Information: http://depts.washington.edu/chem/newsevents/events.html

Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
Join Jake Kosseff, Seattle Magazine’s “Best Sommelier” for 2007, for an evening of local wine and jazz titled “Science with a Twist: Dino Wine-OH: Part Deux.” Venue: Pacific Science Center, Dinosaur Hall (Beware, wine drinkers: “Moving, roaring dinosaurs.”)
Information: http://www.pacsci.org/events

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.:
New York Times science writer George Johnson discusses how diligence and curious minds have led to remarkable scientific insights, in a talk based on his book “The 10 Most Beautiful Experiments.” This program is sponsored by Town Hall Seattle and University Book Store as part of the Future of Health series. Admission is $5 at the door. Note: Town Hall Seattle also will offer a Teen Science Lectures event with Johnson from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for students in grades 7-10. The program is free, but please RSVP to Wier Harman, executive director of Town Hall Seattle, (206) 652-4255 ext. 16 or wier@townhallseattle.org, at least two weeks before the event with an expected attendance for your group.
Information: http://www.townhallseattle.org

Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m.:
David Rothenberg discusses his new book, Thousand Mile Song: Whale Music in a Sea of Sound. Learn how people connect with whales, owners of the largest brains in the known universe. This program is free and open to the public. Venue: University Book Store.
Information: http://www.bookstore.washington.edu

Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18:
Dive into the fascinating world of marine science with “Marine Exploration Weekend,” a weekend of activities, demonstrations and exhibits. Interact with local scientists while learning about marine life, fisheries, ecosystems, Puget Sound conservation and more. The weekend is presented in partnership with the Pacific Science Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other local research organizations. Venue: Pacific Science Center.
Information: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/495430

Friday, May 16, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.:
Suzan Kardong-Edgren, assistant professor at the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing, discusses the Human Patient Simulation Project. The event is part of the Spokane Science and Technology Discovery Series, which highlights developments in science and technology for business and community leaders. Cost is $200 for full membership to the series. This is the last event in the 2007-2008 season. Venue: Spokane Athletic Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave.
Information and online registration: http://www.technology-alliance.com

Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Genome BC hosts a workshop titled “Confronting ‘Race’: DNA and Diversity in the Digital Age.” This workshop brings together local and international researchers from a wide range of disciplines to discuss diversity, race and genomics. The workshop is presented in collaboration with Peter Chow-White, assistant professor in School of Communication at Simon Fraser University. Venue: Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St., Vancouver B.C., Canada.
Information and registration: http://www.genomebc.ca/

Friday, May 16, 10 a.m.:
“Robots: A Designer’s Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels” presents a one-of-a-kind assemblage of toy robots from the collection of designer Tom Geismar. The exhibition runs May 16 to October 26 in the Pulsar Lounge Gallery at Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum.
Information: http://www.empsfm.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=177&ccID=241

Saturday, May 17, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
Join flight attendants from the golden age of commercial aviation at a “Style in the Aisle” panel discussion. Moderator is Kenlynn Gilbert, a Museum of Flight docent who flew with Pan Am and with United Airlines. Program is free with museum admission. Venue: The Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South, William M. Allen Theater.
Information: http://www.museumofflight.org

Monday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.:
Stuart Kauffman discusses his new book, Reinventing the Sacred: A New View of Science, Reason and Religion. Kauffman proposes that divinity can be found in a scientific understanding of the world and urges that we rethink everything from how cells manage work to how economies grow. This program is sponsored by Town Hall Seattle and University Book Store as part of the Seattle Science Lectures Series. Admission is $5 at the door. Venue: Town Hall Seattle.
Information: http://www.townhallseattle.org

Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m.:
The “Exposed: Inside Film” series at the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum presents a screening of “World Enough and Time,” an episode from the fan series “Star Trek: New Voyages.” The screening is followed by a conversation with co-writer, director and executive producer Marc Scott Zicree and executive producer Elaine Zicree. Brooks Peck, EMPSFM curator, hosts the evening. Venue: JBL Theater at the EMP/SFM.
Information: EMPSFM Calendar

Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.:
Author William H. Calvin discusses his new book, Global Fever: How to Treat Climate Change. Calvin, University of Washington professor emeritus and author of 14 popular books on science, argues that it is possible to avoid a dire fate if we act now, jump-starting what would amount to a third industrial revolution of clean technologies. This program is sponsored by Town Hall Seattle and University Book Store as part of the Seattle Science Lecture Series. Admission is $5 at the door. Venue: Town Hall Seattle.
Information: http://www.townhallseattle.org

Friday, May 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:
The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research and partners host a “Human Subjects Research Communication Workshop” to prepare research institutions for “emergency,” unanticipated and regular communications with the media about human subjects research outcomes. Registration is free for NWABR members and $50 for non-members.
Register online at http://hsrcommunications.kintera.org
Information: Contact Laurie Hassell, (206) 465-4691 or lhassell@nwabr.org

Wednesday, May 28, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
Don’t forget, if you signed up to be a judge, that Northwest Association for Biomedical Research needs you at the Student Biotech Expo. More than 300 high school students from around Puget Sound will gather to show their science chops in art, music, writing, Web design and old traditional things like doing research and building molecular models. Register to be a judge online at http://studentbiotech.kintera.org/judges08.
Judges will be sent projects in advance and should be available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15 for a pre-judging meeting at Zymogenetics, Inc., 1201 Eastlake Ave. E. Venue for Student Biotech Expo: Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, 11100 N.E. Sixth St.
Information: Contact Evelyn Laminak, (206) 957-3337 x 304 or elaminack@nwabr.org, or visit http://www.nwabr.org/studentbiotech/default.html.

Friday, May 30: 5 to 7 p.m.:
NSWA Freelance Friday Happy Hour at the Japanese Restaurant Wann (http://wann-izakaya.com/) in downtown Seattle. Please RSVP to Lisa Farino (LisaFarino@gmail.com) by 2 p.m. on the day of the event so she can reserve enough table space for all of us. You don’t need to be a freelancer to attend. Everyone is welcome.