Nov 12 UMD Bioscience Day Honors Charles Darwin

Celebrating Darwin at 200:
Evolution and 21st Century Science

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
University of Maryland, College Park

Information and Free Registration

Highlights include:

• Keynote lecture at 5:00 PM by Pulitzer Prize winning scientist E.O. Wilson
• Visit from the “ghost” of Charles Darwin
• Professor invention competition
• The "Future" of Evolution
• Colony collapse disorder in honeybees update
• Evolution - New Perspectives from the Physical Sciences
• Opportunities to network with colleagues
• Scientific poster competition
• Bioscience internship and job fair

Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day is a special event that features research talks, presentations, mini-symposia and demonstrations by university scientists. The program provides a unique opportunity for executives and professionals in industry and government to discover the most recent advances in bioscience and biotechnology at the University of Maryland; to promote the potential for academic-industry-government collaboration; to meet University scientists and interact with graduate student researchers; to network with colleagues who share an interest in the promotion of bioscience and the bioscience industry; and to recruit employees and investigate job opportunities.

Defining Normal: Sex and Gender Misconceptions

Saturday, Oct 11, 1:30 pm
Public & FREE -- No RSVP (Flyer)

Karen North (Handouts)

Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)

Most people think that there are only two sexes, that these two sexes are easy to distinguish, and that gender is just another word for sex. None of these beliefs are true. This talk will explain the confusion, demonstrate the distinctions, and clarify the differences between Sexual Identity, Sexual Orientation, Gender Expression, and Gender Identity.

(*) Parking at the library is free, but you must enter your parking space number into a kiosk in the lobby. Parking is automatically validated for two hours -- no need to return to your car. Your parking validation is extended for two hours each time your parking space number is entered at the kiosk.

Image credit

Drinking Skeptically with NCAS Wed Nov 5 at 7 pm

Drinking Skeptically Comes to the DC Area!
The first DC-area Drinking Skeptically event!

Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m
Jackie’s Restaurant (map)
8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
http://www.jackiesrestaurant.com

What is Drinking Skeptically, you may ask? (You are a skeptic after all, questions are expected.) Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical thinkers, and like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. Don’t drink? Don’t let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world’s most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you! Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there’s one thing science has taught us, it’s the effects of alcohol on the human body. http://www.drinkingskeptically.org

The Alien Grey: An Unnatural History

Saturday, Sep 13, 1:30 - 4 pm (Note New Time)
Public & FREE -- No RSVP (Flyer)

Richard Dengrove
U.S. Department of Agriculture Librarian
NCAS Member since 1987


Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)

The Alien Grey is associated with flying saucers, and flying saucer advocates want to keep it that way. They wish for you to believe that it is an objective phenomenon and not a cultural artifact. However, the Alien Grey has had another life – in novels, short stories, movies and TV. Also, there is more to this talk than the title suggests: I am not going to talk only about the Alien Grey but also the Future Man Grey and the MadScientist Grey. Each one is a kissing cousin of the others. Greys can come from under the ground as well. What the Grey does is try to answer questions often touted as deeply philosophical. However, I suspect the Grey strikes a chord in our emotions, and the answers the Grey gives as popular art and pulp are more satisfying than any philosophical tome.

(*) Parking at the library is free, but you must enter your parking space number into a kiosk in the lobby. Parking is automatically validated for two hours -- no need to return to your car. Your parking validation is extended for two hours each time your parking space number is entered at the kiosk.

NCAS Public Lectures Will Resume in September

Have a pleasant Summer and meanwhile enjoy our website, including our improved NCAS Bibliographies section.