Science Café and Podcast

SCIENTISTS:

Derrick Haslem
Senior Medical Director of Oncology
Intermountain Health

Emma Prendergast
Utah Tech University Philosophy and Ethics

Matthias Schmitt
Astrophysicist
NPS Dark Sky Coordinator

Rico Del Sesto
Utah Tech University Chemistry

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation about topics highlighted in the recently released movie “Oppenheimer”; the role of nuclear processes in weapons, energy, and medicine; and the health impacts or nuclear weapons testing on “downwinders” in Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada.

The Science Café program provides a venue for open and accessible science discussions with the regional community – a science background is not necessary to attend and participate!

DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Caffe Elevato, 1664 S. Dixie Dr, St. George

(photo: Nevada Test Site Museum)

SCIENTISTS:

Alex Tye
Utah Tech Geology

Robyn Henderek
Zion/NPS Physical Scientist

Tyler Knudsen
Utah Geological Survey 

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation on the beautiful geological features of our region, and the risks and hazards they pose towards our communities and infrastructure!

The Science Café provides a venue for open and accessible science discussions with the regional community – a science background is not necessary to attend and participate!

DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Caffe Elevato, 1664 S. Dixie Dr, St. George

(photo: nps.gov/zion)

SCIENTISTS:

Feather Robinson
Utah Tech University
Archaeoastronomy
Native American History

Matthias Schmitt
NPS Dark Sky Coordinator
Solar Eclipse Chaser

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation on the importance of protecting our dark skies in southern Utah, and the darkening of our daytime sky during the upcoming October solar eclipse!

The Science Café provides a venue for open and accessible science discussions with the regional community – a science background is not necessary to attend and participate!

DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Caffe Elevato, 1664 S. Dixie Dr, St. George

(photo: thedyrt.com)

SCIENTISTS:

Marzieh Ghasemi
Utah Tech University

Lori Nigh
Director, Harmon’s Santa Clara

Kevin Kunz
Manager, Washington County Landfill

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation about the challenges in maximizing efficiency and landfill diversion of food resources in the southern Utah regions!

The Science Café provides a venue for open and accessible science discussions with the regional community – a science background is not necessary to attend and participate!

DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Harmon’s (Santa Clara location, upstairs open space)
3520 Pioneer Pkwy, Santa Clara

(photo: risegarden.org )

SCIENTISTS:

Christina Pondell
Environmental Science, Utah Tech University

Wesley Pickett
Rosenberg Associates, Utah Department of Natural Resources

Robyn Henderek
Zion National Park

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation about the challenges in minimizing risks to – and from – our water in the Santa Clara and Virgin River watersheds! Bring your questions and curious ponderings about the impacts and opportunities to mitigate impacts of the intensifying drought-flood cycles, and how those cycles affect quality, collection and storage, and treatment of our critical water resources.

DATE: Wednesday, March 29, 2023

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Caffe Elevato
1664 S. Dixie Dr, St. George

SCIENTISTS:

Marshall Topham
Utah Tech University, Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan

Megen Kepas
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Mary Lane Poe
The Desert Network, The Desert Tortoise Council, and the Southern Utah Climbers Alliance

INFO:

Join us for an informal conversation about desert tortoises, habitat destruction, and conservation efforts, in the southern Utah and Mojave Desert regions! Bring your questions and curiosities about our local iconic shelled reptile to discuss with our guest scientists!

DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

TIME: 5:00-6:30pm

LOCATION: Caffe Elevato
1664 S. Dixie Dr, St. George

*This event is being held in collaboration with The Desert Tortoise Council Annual Meeting being held in St George, UT, the same week! 

*photo – DesertUSA

SCIENTISTS:

Megan Bean
Native Fish Coordinator for the Chihuahuan Desert region in Texas

Ed Kluender
Research Associate, Colorado State University Larval Fish Laboratory

INFO:

Join us for an informal discussion about desert aquatic ecosystems and their associated life forms. The Science Cafés are a great way for the general community to learn about the science directly connected to our region. Science Cafés welcome people who may or may not typically get involved with scientific discussions without needing to be a scientist to learn about the science of our southern Utah region!

DATE: Thursday, November 17, 2022

TIME: 7:00-8:30pm

LOCATION: Zion Brewery Station 2
142 North Main St., St George

*This event is being held in collaboration with the Desert Fishes Council Annual Meeting being held in St George, UT, this week! 

SCIENTISTS:

Zac Warren
Bat Biologist – Zion National Park

Zach Valois
Arachnologist and Prep Lab Manager – St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

INFO:

An open and scary discussion about the darkest nights and the creatures that lurk above, below, and around us, just out of sight that you might only see shadows. Did you hear that? ‘Tis the wind and nothing more!

Bring your questions, and concerns(!), about bats, spiders, scorpions, and other nightly creatures to discuss with our panel!

DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 2022

TIME: 5-7pm

LOCATION: Gaia’s Garden Cafe patio
695 S. 100 W., St. George, UT

SCIENTISTS:

Erin O’Brien, PhD
Plant Ecology, DSU Department of Biological Sciences

Sarah Siefken
Biologist, Utah Division of Wildlife Services

Kevin Wheeler
Native Aquatics Biologist, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

INFO:

An open discussion on endemic species to Southern Utah, and how they survive in the harsh desert climate and surrounded by a rapidly growing population.

DATE: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

TIME: 6-8pm

LOCATION: Zion Brewery Station II
142 N Main St, St. George, UT 84770

SCIENTISTS:

Greg Melton, PhD
DSU Department of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences

Mike Schijf
Biologist, Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan

Jason Whipple
Director, Washington County Emergency Services

INFO:

An open discussion on fire, including the impacts of wildfires on the land and its inhabitants.

DATE: Tuesday, February 8, 2022

TIME: 5-7pm

LOCATION: Zion Brewery Station II
142 N Main St, St. George, UT 84770

SCIENTISTS:

Jerry Harris, PhD
DSU Department of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences

Lura Snow
Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan

INFO:

A discussion about the geological aspects of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve in southwestern Utah, and the critical habitat for our desert tortoise!

Use the link below to access the Podcast.

SCIENTIST:

Joan Meiners, PhD
Ecologist and Environmental Data Journalist

INFO:

Bees are seen everywhere, pollinating flowers and decorating state flags. Explore the fascinating science of bees that make them even more attractive!

Use the link below to access the Podcast.

SCIENTIST:

Geoff Smith, PhD
DSU Biological Sciences Department

INFO:

Teaming up with Science Moab!!

Use the link below to access the Podcast.

INFO:

DATE: Wednesday, October 21, 2020

TIME: 4-6pm

LOCATION: Zion Brewery Station II

CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19

SCIENTISTS:

Travis Ficklin, PhD
DSU Health and Human Performance

Brant Ross, PhD, PE
MotionPort

INFO:

DATE: Thursday, December 6, 2019

TIME: 4-6pm

LOCATION: Affogato West, St. George, UT