Science Under the Dome
Join usÌýfor ourÌýScience Under the DomeÌýmonthlyÌýlive talk series.ÌýTalks in this series are presented by graduate students and postdoc researchers at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.
These are a part ofÌýour regular talk series. Regular ticket prices apply.
Please be aware that our shows and some talks may incorporate one or several of the following features: bright lights, flashing visuals, loud sounds, or intense motion effects.
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder students are admitted FREE on THURSDAY NIGHT TALKS with valid Buff OneCard.Ìý
Upcoming Science Under the Dome Talks
February 26 at 7pm
From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Interstellar, a popular trope in science fiction is the depiction of spaceships and space stations that use rotation to generate artificial gravity for its inhabitants. Is this technology really possible? What would it take to design such a habitat? And what would it be like to live onboard one? In this talk, we'll explore fictitious forces, a subtle concept in physics with surprising relevance to daily life on earth.
Yorrick Andeweg is a fifth-year physics grad student at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder and is researching experimental atomic and optical physics. While working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) he builds and improves atomic clocks for practical applications. In his free time, he likes to read books and watch movies, especially science fiction. And, also likes to hike and go camping.Ìý
March 26 at 7pm
From the earliest myths and philosophical speculations to today’s science fiction media, humanity has often told stories about life that is alien to us. In days of old the alien may have been a god or a monster on Earth, but, as we’ve learned more about our place in the cosmos, we’ve envisioned the alien beings of great power, possible ferocity, and utter difference to be out there among the stars. Our myths of extraterrestrial life stretch across millennia, revealing not only our wonder at the cosmos but also our hopes and fears about our own survival.
This talk explores how these narratives continue to shape the way we imagine our future. What happens when we envision a universe teeming with life? How do these stories guide our moral compass, frame our sense of belonging, or warn us against hubris? The kinds of stories we tell matter deeply. A cosmos populated with hostile invaders could cultivate fear and isolationism, while visions of a diverse interstellar community may spark empathy and curiosity. By examining mythic, literary, and scientific narratives of alien life, this talk will invite participants to consider how these stories shape our collective imagination. Ultimately, our myths of aliens are not only about them but also about us: About who we are, who we might become, and how we choose to live in a vast and mysterious universe.
is an astrobiologist, science communicator, and storyteller whose work bridges the sciences of life and the cosmos. An alumnus of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Department of Geological Sciences, Dr. Lau studies how life shapes its environment and how we search for life beyond Earth. He currently serves as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Blue Marble Space, a global nonprofit dedicated to cooperative exploration and sustainability, and as a Senior Research Investigator with the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. He also hosts , guiding worldwide audiences through the frontiers of astrobiology. Beyond his research, Dr. Lau teaches meditation and public speaking, inspiring others to explore both inner and cosmic horizons.
Watch this space for more compelling talks at Fiske.
Our climate is changing and we must adapt to a world that is transforming right before our eyes. Early warning signs of climate change were seen in far away places like the Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland. Now these impacts are affecting us here at home and changing the way we live our lives. Join us as we explore the local and global impacts of climate change and ways in which we can contribute to a solution.
Science and technology don’t exist in a vacuum - there are countless ways that research and innovation play a significant role in society at large. What are some of the ways in which they overlap? This seriesÌýexplores the intersection of science and society, addressing topics such as light pollution, GMOs, and mining asteroids, and the talks invite the audience to consider ways in which they have been impacted by this intersection.
From warp drives to artificial intelligence to living on Mars, this series is to explore a variety of scientific ideas that surface in science fiction books, movies, and video games. Where have popular sci-fi movies portrayed science correctly, and where has Hollywood gone off the deep end? What technologies were once ‘sci-fi’ but are now rapidly becoming a reality?Ìý