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Join our fun and friendly conversation, and quench your thirst for knowledge about science and nature. At Science Pub, there’s no such thing as a dumb question. Whether you are a science genius or not-so-science-savvy, you are invited to participate in stimulating discussions and partake in some lively libations.
We meet at Dargan's Pub in Santa Barbara. Science Pub is open to ages 21+ and admission is free. No reservations or tickets are required. Dargan's is located at 18 E. Ortega Street. Some street parking is available, and Lot#10 is conveniently located adjacent to Dargan's (first 75 minutes free).
Questions: Call 805-682-4711 ext. 110.
Birds do it, but how?
with Dr. Krista Fahy, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, June 20, 2011
Ever wondered why that bird keeps you awake all night with his repetitive song? Do you have a seemingly crazy bird that endlessly throws himself against your windows, mirrors or hubcaps? We have more than 124 species of birds that breed in the Santa Barbara region; many of which can be found in your backyard! Come learn about their mating strategies, nest building styles and other quirky behaviors that endear these neighborhood tenants to our hearts.
What's Bugging You? Insects in the Santa Barbara Region
with Dr. Michael Caterino, Curator of Entomology
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Santa Barbara area has a rich insect fauna. While many of these are beautiful, delightful creatures, like the monarch butterfly, many are also obnoxious: stinging, biting, eating our plants, buzzing in our faces, and seeming to have little redeeming value. In this Science Pub, museum entomologist Dr. Michael Caterino will talk about some of our fondest insect friends, our fiercest insect foes, and an awful lot in between. Bring your curiosity and your burning bug questions. The evening should leave you with a better appreciation for 'the little things that run the world.'
Arlington Springs Man or Woman?
with Dr. John Johnson, Curator of Anthropology
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, August 15, 2011
In 1959, the 13,000-year old Arlington Springs remains (the oldest human bones found in North and South America) were discovered and identified to be male. In 1989, the bones were deemed to be female. In 2006, after another reevaluation, they were back to being male. What? How? Why? Come to Science Pub and learn how museum collections, forensic science, and modern technology provide new information for scientists that impacts what we know and what we thought we knew.
I Eat My Research
with Paul Valentich-Scott, Curator of Malacology
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, November 7, 2011
Clams, mussels, oysters and scallops are sumptuous global delicacies. Humans consume over 14 million metric tons of “bivalve mollusks” every year, and they are favorites on many local menus. How fast do they grow? Are they a sustainable resource? How many types are there around the globe? Follow museum marine biologist, Paul Valentich-Scott, as he travels the world in search of new discoveries about this fascinating, yet poorly understood, group of animals.
CSI: Cetacean Stranding Investigations
with Michelle Berman, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, January 23, 2012 from 6:30-8:00 PM
A dolphin washes up on the beach; there are no obvious signs as to why. Soon a crowd gathers and everyone has the same questions on their mind: “Why? What happened?” Test your power of observation and investigation, and learn what dolphins can tell us about the ocean environment with Michelle Berman, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Zoology and Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator.
Sperm Wars and Sexual Conflict:
 The Evolutionary Consequences of Promiscuity
with Dr. Alison Pischedda
UCSB Dept. of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology
Monday, February 27, 2012 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Why is the genitalia of male dragonflies shaped like a spoon? Why do male bedbugs inseminate females by piercing through their abdominal wall? Males throughout the animal kingdom possess extreme and bizarre sexual traits and behaviors, raising interesting questions about their purpose. In this Science Pub, Dr. Alison Pischedda will explain the role that promiscuity plays in the evolution of these fascinating traits, and how it can result in an evolutionary battle of the sexes.
Murders and Exaltations: The Annual Christmas Bird Count
with Rebecca Coulter, Compiler SB Christmas Bird Count
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, March 26, 2012 from 6:30-8:00 PM
From a murder of crows to an exaltation of larks to a parliament of owls, passionate birders volunteer their time and keen eyes to conduct the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. This Audubon project is a great example of citizen-science in action and occurs across the nation as a coordinated 24-hour survey of all the birds in our neighborhoods. So how do birders conduct this annual bird count, and more to the point, why? Can they really tell if they’ve counted that bird twice? From the small but mighty team of back-country “owlers” up at o-dark-thirty to the backyard feeder watchers, find out why Santa Barbarans and birders around the country participate in this 112-year old project.
Chills, Drills and Thrills:
Climate Change and Marine Life in Antarctica
with Dr. Pauline Yu and Lydia Kapsenberg,
Hofmann Laboratory, Dept. of Ecology,
Evolution and Marine Biology, UCSB
Monday, June 25, from 6:30-8:00 PM
The Hofmann Laboratory takes its unique brand of interdisciplinary ecophysiology to “the Ice” and returns with tales of encounters with the weird, the wonderful, and the historical, and scientific derring-do. Dr. Pauline Yu and Ms. Lydia Kapsenberg will present a tag-team slideshow of their adventures in the frozen south in Antarctica. Learn how climate change affects the chemistry of the oceans, the life-history of sea urchins and how research combines those two topics into a greater understanding of the trials and tribulations of life.
2012: The End of the World...Again?
 with Javier Rivera, Astronomy Programs Manager
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, July 23 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Did the Maya predict the end of the world? Will the Sun flip over? Where is Planet X? Should I quit my job and spend all my money travelling? New end-of-world prophesies are claiming a catastrophic worldwide event will take place on December 21, 2012, and some people are worrying this may be true. To set aside some of these preoccupations, we will discuss what science has to say about these predictions and perhaps recommend a few places to visit this year.
 Unusual Visual Systems in the Sea
with Dr. Daniel Speiser
Department of Ecology Evolution and Marine Biology, UCSB
Monday, September 24 from 6:30-8:00 PM
We’re well-acquainted with camera-type eyes-we look out through a pair of them every day. The compound eyes of insects are also familiar enough. But did you know that some animals have hundreds of eyes spread across their bodies? Or that certain animals see using mirrors or lenses made of shell? Or that some animals have eyes but no brain and others see without eyes? In this Science Pub, Dr. Daniel Speiser will explain how some of nature’s most unusual visual systems work and how a surprising collection of marine invertebrates - including box jellyfish, sea urchins, scallops and chitons - use vision to escape predators, optimize feeding, and find shelter.
 What's Shaking?
with Dr. Jamison Steidl
Earth Research Institute, UCSB
Monday, October 22 from 6:30-8:00 P What’s Shaking?
with Dr. Jamison Steidl,
Earth Research Institute, UCSB
Monday, October 22
6:30-8:00 PM
What's with all the earthquakes these days? Is the end of the world coming? Is there really such a thing as Earthquake Weather? Research Seismologist Jamison Steidl will talk about earthquake myths, discuss the current global earthquake activity, answer your questions about our local earthquake and tsunami hazards, and tell you when the "Big One" is coming!
UPCOMING SCIENCE PUBS
 Eating the Aliens: Bio-control of Invasive Species
with Dr. Tom Dudley
Marine Science Institute, UCSB
Monday, November 26 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Are there alien invaders in our waters? Western rivers are increasingly overgrown with invasive, non-native species that offer little habitat to wildlife and are often serious fire hazards. There is recent interest in using “natural enemies” against non-native plants such as herbivorous insects that feed on and suppress weeds where they are not wanted. This technology is known as biological control.
Dr. Tom Dudley will discuss collaborative efforts to develop and release these bio-control agents against riparian invasive plants, and some of the political pitfalls of undertaking this somewhat esoteric approach. Are bio-control efforts helping in the restoration of native plants? Or will bio-control engender controversy by affecting species of animals that have come to depend on these alien invaders? Join Dr. Dudley as he shares fascinating natural history observations that could lead bio-control to becoming both a successful scientific and conservation-based endeavor.
 Science and Religion: War or Peace?
with Dr. Karl Hutterer
Executive Director, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Monday, December 17
6:30-8:00PM
The debate over whether science and religion are mutually compatible or at conflict with each other goes back to the Renaissance and continues unabated today. The controversy has profound consequences for politics, public life, and the social order. Karl Hutterer has an academic background both in Catholic theology and in science, and a lifelong interest in this issue. He will discuss the relationship between science and religion from his personal perspective as a one-time Catholic priest and an avid student of human evolution. Hutterer’s scientific work has included research in cultural anthropology, archaeology, and tropical forest ecology. |
