Ask a Scientist is a casual, educational, entertaining lecture series that takes place at cafes and other informal venues around San Francisco. Founded in 2003, Ask a Scientist was a pioneer in the now-familiar world of science night life, and holds the title of the oldest "science cafe" in the western U.S. Our talks feature an expert speaker on a scientific topic, a short presentation, and the opportunity to ask all those burning questions that have been keeping you up at night. No tests, grades, or pressure — just food, drinks, socializing, and conversation about the universe’s most fascinating mysteries!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 | 7:00 pm
The Promise of Stem Cells: Hope or Hype?
I'm guessing you're all probably pretty excited about the potential of stem cell research to provide cures for debilitating conditions like diabetes, spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, heart disease, and neurologic disorders. You've heard about the enthusiasm, the caveats, and the controversy — and you want to understand what it all means, where the research stands today, where it's heading, and how people suffering from problems like those mentioned might be helped. Uta Grieshammer and Kevin Whittlesey of the state's stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, will talk to us about why this area of medical research is so exciting to scientists and what we may see in terms of therapies in the future. This event is presented in partnership with Wonderfest, The Bay Area Beacon of Science.
Speakers: Uta Grieshammer and Kevin Whittlesey, Science Officers at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Location: SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street, San Francisco. (This awesome venue has a humongous, heated, indoor seating area.)
Eats: Bring your appetites! SoMa StrEat Food Park is San Francisco’s first permanent food truck pod. They host up to ten gourmet food trucks at a time, along with the city’s only beer and wine truck.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 | 7:00 pm
Strange Invaders: Ants, Termites, and Bedbugs
Have you heard the news? San Francisco took top honors in 2012's list of our country's most bedbug-infested cities! We are so good at being superlative! Even in locations that didn't make the list, we home-dwelling humans often have to do battle with creepy invaders trying to share our living spaces and possessions. Come and hear the latest research on the biology, detection, and control of these uninvited houseguests. (You might be surprised to discover which is the most dangerous room in your house.) Get ready for a fun night of creepy crawlies, disturbing stories, and props-a-plenty to go around. This event is presented in partnership with Wonderfest, The Bay Area Beacon of Science.
Speakers: Dr. Vernard Lewis, UC Berkeley
Location: SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street, San Francisco. (This awesome venue has a humongous, heated, indoor seating area.)
Eats: Bring your appetites! SoMa StrEat Food Park is San Francisco’s first permanent food truck pod. They host up to ten gourmet food trucks at a time, along with the city’s only beer and wine truck.
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Amateur astronomers share their scopes after Jennifer Heldman's talk about the moon. More photos.
Finally, watch AaS online:
Several of our recent talks are now available for online viewing, thanks to Fora.tv. More to come.
Ask a Scientist
has been making news
Read about Ask a Scientist in Chemical Heritage Newsmagazine. Spring 2009.
Ask a Scientist is the SF Bay Guardian's "Best Place to Get an Expert Opinion." (PDF)
And 7x7 Magazine calls us San Francisco's "Best Way to Get Smart Quick."
Visit our press page for more.
Want to get freaked out? Click here.