Modern science is evolving faster than laboratory fruit flies. 
How are busy, curious people supposed to keep up with all the latest information? Even if you read Scientific American and watch Nova faithfully, you still probably wind up with more questions than answers.
Ask a Scientist is an informative, entertaining, monthly lecture series, held at a San Francisco cafe. Each event features a 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
Please note that indoor seating is limited, but weather permitting, a projector and screen will be set up outside on the patio so latecomers can still see and hear everything that's going on inside. Bundle up!
Tuesday, July 14th, 7:00 pm
Topic: How to Keep an Illustrated Field Journal
Ok, get ready for something totally different. Tonight naturalist, biologist, educator, and artist John "Jack" Muir Laws will teach us how to start and keep a daily illustrated field journal. Jack, who spent six years backpacking the Sierra Nevada to research and illustrate The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, will share tricks and techniques for drawing birds, mammals, plants, and landscapes; noting signs of the season; and achieving the discipline and good habits that will help you keep your journal going once you've started. Learn to observe and appreciate the natural world in a whole new way. No drawing experience is necessary. Bring your own sketchpad and pencils if you want to follow along.
Speaker: John Muir Laws, Freelance Illustrator, Teacher of Natural History Field Observation and Illustration at City College, and Research Associate at California Academy of Sciences.
Location: Axis Cafe, 1201 8th Street (btw. 16th & Irwin) San Francisco
Wednesday, July 22nd, 6:30 pm
Ask a Scientist's "Pi Approximation Day" Puzzle Party
...and Sixth Anniversary Celebration!
Come celebrate Pi Approximation Day (22/7) and Ask a Scientist's sixth birthday, at our long overdue Puzzle Party! Teaser-of-brains Wes Carroll hosts this boisterous and friendly competition, doling out math and logic puzzles that will make you shout both "Arghh!" and "A-Ha!" You can compete solo or on a team of up to 6 people. Even if you're puzzle-shy, you can still come to observe, cheer, and support your favorite team. No calculators necessary, but you may use one if you'd like. No cell phones or internet allowed. Bring your own pencils and scratch paper. The winning team receives a round of drinks and the admiration of dozens! [NOTE the early start time!]
Puzzle Master: Wes Carroll, Do The Math Private Tutoring Services
Location: Axis Cafe, 1201 8th Street (btw. 16th & Irwin) San Francisco
Tuesday, August 11th, 7:00 pm
Topic: Secrets of the Sleeping Brain
Why do we sleep? Although science has yet to explain the reason we spend one-third of our lives in this bizarre state, an exciting theory suggests that sleep can solidify newly learned memories by rewiring the architecture of brain. Emerging neuroscience evidence also indicates that sleep can intelligently associate and integrate new memories together, performing a kind of “sleep-dependent alchemy.” This phenomenon may fuel creative human insights, often reflected in dream content. In addition to memory benefits, recent findings also suggest that sleep can “refresh” emotional brain reactivity, smoothing away the rough edges from our prior waking concerns, thereby allowing rational next-day decisions. Thinking about skimping on your Zs? You'd better come hear what UC Berkeley's Matt Walker has to say about it first!
Speaker: Matt Walker, Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, UC Berkeley
Location: Axis Cafe, 1201 8th Street (btw. 16th & Irwin) San Francisco
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Amateur astronomers share their scopes after Jennifer Heldman's talk about the moon. Oct '08. See 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.