Dr. Thomas O’Brien, Professor, Science Education, Binghamton University
Friday, March 21, 8:00 PM
Come explore: (1) the all-too-often, needlessly contentious relationship between evolution-informed science & religion and (2) related real-world relevant insights into the human quest for individual and collective happiness. Consilience of Judeo-Christian and scientific perspectives will explain our dual dispositions to be selfish and even evil, as well as self-sacrificing and ethical. This talk will be presented by Dr. Thomas O’Brien, professor of Science Education at Binghamton University.

Venus and Lucifer: Astronomy, Mythology, and the Keeping of Time
Peter Klimas, Physics Teacher, Vestal High School
Friday, March 28, 8:00 PM

The brightest light in the sky is our Sun.  The second brightest light in the sky is our Moon.  The third brightest light in the sky is the devil himself, Lucifer, morning star, light bringer, Venus.  Come gather at Kopernik Observatory and learn what eight-fifths has to do with Venus.  Come hear stories from religion and myth about the mysterious motions of this god in the sky.  Make a wish on the evening star, or on the last light left in the morning after all others have faded away.  Come and learn of this herald of the dawn. 

AI for All: Nurturing Young Curiosity & Shaping Global Futures
– Dr. James Pitarresi Binghamton University Vice Provost for Online and Innovative Education
Friday, April 11, 8:00 PM
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing learning – from engaging early childhood experiences to supporting education, and research and sparking societal transformation. Attendees will see practical examples and live demonstrations showing how AI can inspire creativity at home and in the classrooms and drive innovation in higher education. The presentation will briefly touch upon broader issues, including ethical considerations, future AI trajectories, and the potential societal impacts of AI. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or policy influencer, join us to discover how AI is not only enhancing learning but also shaping our collective future. 

 

Quantum Cosmos: How the smallest things explain the biggest things
Zoe Learner Ponterio, Manager, Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility Cornell University
Friday, April 25, 8:00 PM

We know many fundamental things about the universe – that it is expanding, that it had a beginning, and what it is made of. But even more interesting is HOW we know it, especially without video footage showing the Big Bang or the motion of the galaxies as they drift apart, and, except for the inner Solar System, without samples to analyze in a laboratory. If the laws of nature are the same across space and time (and that’s a pretty big if), we can understand quite a lot about the universe by studying its most basic building blocks. Join us for a journey starting in the quantum realm and zooming out to the entire cosmos.