Skepchick Space Lab Schedule at CONvergence
CONvergence is this weekend! Which means we are going to SCIENCE. In addition to hosting several panels and workshops as part of SkepchickCON, the science and skepticism track of CONvergence, we are also hosting activities and salons in the Skepchick Space Lab.
CONvergence is a sci-fi/fantasy conference at the Doubletree Hilton in Bloomington, Minnesota, July 3-July 6. The Skepchick Space Lab is in Cabana Room 227, and this year, we’re opening at noon with science activities all day and salons in the early evening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Don’t worry: We’re still hosting our nightly party too, including drinks and mixology demos by Mad Art Lab’s Anne Sauer.
A huge virtual tackle hug to everyone who has donated to help make this possible. We could still use help to cover the supplies, if you are inclined to send a buck or two our way. Just click on the image below or Paypal directly to [email protected].
Below is the Skepchick Space Lab schedule. You can drop in anytime to do the activities. The salons will have seating for 10-15 people and are first come, first served.
Thursday, July 3
Activities
12:00 – 3:45 pm Invisible Ink
12:00 – 2:00 pm Incredible Balancing Acts
2:00 – 3:45 pm Dry Ice Comets
2:00 – 3:45 pm Citizen Science Astronomy
Salons
4:00 – 5:00 pm The Science of Giving, with Ben Blanchard
Everyone wants to save the world, and we know charity is a good way to do that, but how? This salon will discuss how charitable giving affects the world, the donor, and how to do it smartly.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Hookers & Purls
Always wanted to knit or crochet, but didn’t know how to get started? Do you knit or crochet already and are just looking for a space to get crafty for an hour? Come to Hookers & Purls! Knitters and crocheters will be on-hand to help beginners get started. Beginners: we’ll have limited supplies on-hand, so please bring inexpensive knitting needles (straight or circular) or a crochet hook, plus yarn. Aficionados: bring your latest project! Other needle crafters are welcome to join in.
Demos
Double, Double, Toil & Trouble: The Wondrous & Delicious Science of Bubbles!
with Anne Sauer
Demos at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm
Friday, July 4
Activities
12:00 – 3:45 pm Flea Circus
12:00 – 3:45 pm CO2 Fire Extinguisher
2:00 – 3:45 pm Bioluminescent Bacteria Art
Salons
4:00 – 5:00 pm Women in STEM, with Kristin Ellis and Skatje Myers
Still have questions after the morning’s Women in STEM panel? Are you a woman in STEM who wants to talk with others about what it’s like? Or are you a woman interested in getting into a STEM field and want to find out more? Join us for an informal discussion.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Secular Woman Meetup, with Elsa Roberts
Drop in and discuss a topic that is often on the minds of women, secular and otherwise—online harassment. We’ll open the floor and invite everyone to talk about their experiences, how we all deal, how we can support each other, and strategies for eliminating harassment.
6:00 – 7:00 pm Queer Identities, with Will Robertson and Benny S
What does LGBTQ mean? Why do they keep adding letters? How and why do queer identities change over time? Join Will and Benny from Queereka for a discussion about queer identity labels and the politics of categorizing oneself.
Demos
Double, Double, Toil & Trouble: The Wondrous & Delicious Science of Bubbles!
with Anne Sauer
Demos at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, and 11:15 pm
Saturday, July 5
Activities
12:00 – 1:00 pm Citizen Science
12:00 – 2:00 pm Incredible Balancing Acts
12:00 – 2:00 pm Polymer Bouncing Balls
2:00 – 3:00 pm Peeeps in Spaaaace!
2:00 – 3:45 pm Lasers, Spectra, and UV-Detecting Jewelry
2:00 – 3:45 pm Bioluminescent Bacteria Art
Salons
4:00 – 5:00 pm The Intersection of Science and the Humanities, with Will Robertson, Ben Blanchard, and Jamie Bernstein
Are “hard” sciences better or more accurate than “soft” sciences and the humanities? We’ll discuss misconceptions that artificially divide the sciences from the humanities and how science, art, philosophy, etc., overlap and inform each other.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Debunking Ghosthunters, with Matt Lowry
What does an EMF meter really detect? Is Electronic Voice Phenomena evidence of paranormal entities? We’ll discuss the tech and toys used by ghosthunters online and off, as well as the more plausible explanations for the seemingly unexplainable.
6:00 – 7:00 pm Betrayal of the Multicellular Compact: The World of Cancer Biology, with PZ Myers, Kristin Ellis, and Dan Berliner
Let’s look at what’s really going on inside cancer: we’ll explore how cellular damage leads to the abandonment of constraints and wild proliferation, and the reactivation processes that lead to the nasty invasive properties of cancer.
Demos
Double, Double, Toil & Trouble: The Wondrous & Delicious Science of Bubbles!
with Anne Sauer
Demos at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm
Featured image by Beth Voigt.