Field Ecology: Saving Turtles One Measurement at a Time
Josh Otten, Assistant Professor of Biology
Ecology studies connections among individuals, species, and their abiotic environment. Field ecology integrates evolutionary thinking, biology, geology, behavior, physiology, and many other disciplines into field observation, data collection, and hands-on research experience to explore various aspects of ecology. By examining both organismal and population level patterns and distant community level scales, we can quite literally gain a view of the trees, the forest, and the surrounding landscape. In this mini-class, we will discuss some of the core concepts in ecology, take measurements of baby turtles, and compare between different groups.
Get out of my face!
Steven Neese, Associate Professor of Psychology
Why does your heart rate and breathing increase when someone is in your “space”? Can the breaking of your personal bubble make you feel like speaking more, or just make you unhappy? Can these feelings even lead to criminal action? Through this class we will spend some time discussing the role of the amygdala in emotional processing and how disruptions of this system can lead to changes in behavior. Let’s define our bubbles, talk a bit, and find out!
Tiny Flies, Big Impacts
Nicole Green, Assistant Professor of Biology
Come learn about one of the oldest and greatest model organisms, Drosophila melanogaster! Fruit flies have been used by scientists for over 100 years to uncover biological secrets, including how genes are passed from parent to child, how the immune system works, and how our muscles grow and age. With 75% of the same disease-causing genes, fruit flies are being used to inform scientists and clinicians about how to improve human health and develop better therapies. In this class, you will use microscopes to observe the life cycle of fruit flies, learn how scientists use glowing fluorescent molecules to see the structures and behaviors of cells and get some advice on how to keep your kitchen fruit fly-free!
Understanding Saccharomyces cerevisiae’s (yeast) Past and Futurea
Collin O’Leary, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
Discover the story of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as yeast. For thousands of years, humans have used yeast to produce bread and ferment wines and beers. However, only in the last two centuries have scientists begun to understand the complexities of this organism.
Despite being a simple, single-celled, eukaryotic organism, yeast shares similarities with human cells, offering valuable insight for basic research and potential applications in human health. Join us for a short seminar exploring yeast's practical and historical aspects, from its traditional uses to its modern significance in scientific research.
Engineering Our Future
Danielle Grimes, Assistant Professor of Engineering and Physics
A look into the ongoing and past engineering projects at Cornell and how they can impact our future. We will also show-off our fabrication lab that students are able to use throughout their Cornell years.
Star Wars: The Data Awakens
Tyler George, Assistant Professor of Statistics
Join us for an exciting 45-minute interactive data science workshop where you form teams to unlock the secrets of Star Wars using data! Together, we’ll dive into the galaxy of numbers, analyzing Star Wars-themed data through code and fun graphs. Whether you're a data Padawan or a seasoned data Jedi, everyone will get hands-on experience discovering fascinating facts about the Star Wars universe—like which character has the most lines or how planets stack up in size and population!
Exploring Pond Life
Isaac Winkler, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
Frogs and fish are fun, but most life in a pond is small. We will go on a micro-safari to see up close the insects, zooplankton, diatoms, and single-celled ciliates that call our local ponds home. You can make your own mini pond in a plastic bottle and watch the pygmy backswimmers, water fleas and seed shrimp swim around. We will also learn why freshwater biodiversity is important and why it is threatened by our farms and cities.
Deciphering the Code: Genetics of Psychiatric Disease
Sophie Gillett, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology
The human brain is a highly complex and intricate organ. The brain is considered one of the major features that separates humans from other species, but what happens when the brain malfunctions? Psychiatric diseases, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, occur when something goes wrong in the brain. These diseases are highly complex, meaning that they have both genetic and environmental risk factors. Because the human brain is a difficult organ to access, scientists often use model systems to study brain-related diseases. In this mini-class, we will discuss how scientists study genetics and psychiatric disease. We will get hands-on experience with DNA isolation techniques and take a microscopic look at human neuronal cell lines, providing exposure to some basic techniques used in the field of psychiatric genetics.
The Toys of Chemistry
Cindy Strong, Professor of Chemistry
Have you ever wondered how food chemists measure the calcium content in a glass of milk or the amount of caffeine in your coffee? Curious about how forensic scientists detect cocaine on a dollar bill or measure alcohol in blood? Join chemistry students and faculty in the chemistry instrument room! Our cutting-edge equipment uses light from the infrared to the X-ray range to discover the content and properties of all kinds of samples. We’ll explore a range of advanced equipment and see firsthand how these amazing tools are used in real-world applications.
“To Infinity and Beyond!”
Jim Freeman, Professor of Mathematics
Buzz Lightyear’s famous quote from the “Toy Story” series is “To Infinity and Beyond!” Is Buzz correct that we can achieve infinity and that there is something beyond it? Such questions have occupied Philosophers and mathematicians for millennium. In this sample class, as a group we will investigate the incredible beauty of infinity. So bring your curiosity and questions. As was said in the old PBS series “Car Talk,” it is always fun to play Stump the Chumps.
