March 10th, Sam Smith
What to expect when you are an animal expecting
Chick hatching, (c) https://incubatorwarehouse.com/getting-started-egg-incubating 
Aphids, (c) Stav Talal; from Gish et al 2018, Front Zool. 
Shark getting an ultrasound (c) Okinawa Churashima Foundation 
Kangaroos, Credit: iStock.com/JohnCarnemolla
We know that chickens lay eggs and humans give birth, but what about kangaroos, sand tiger sharks, and aphids? Come learn about all the wacky ways that animals produce young. We will talk about the challenges of making a whole animal from a single cell (it takes a lot of energy!) and touch on how human pregnancy differs from that of other animals.
Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. The talk will be held outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we request that visitors follow CDC and UT Austin-recommended guidelines to ensure the safety of all in attendance:
- Before attending the event, take the CDC’s online Coronavirus Self-Checker to ensure you are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, please get tested and stay home.
- We highly recommend masking for all attendees.
- At this time, we will not be providing food or drinks to reduce the need to remove masks, please plan accordingly.
- Maintain a physical distance of at least six feet between yourself and others, seating will be spaced appropriately.
- Use the provided hand sanitizer and wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) frequently.
For those who still prefer to attend virtually, we will be streaming the talk live on our YouTube channel. Please tune in here at 7pm CST. We ask for your patience in case of technological difficulties as we try out this new hybrid format. Feel free to post questions for the speaker in the comments and email scienceunderthestars@gmail.com with any issues.
Though we currently plan to have in-person presentations, we may be forced to return to an online zoom format at any time, including for inclement weather. **Please subscribe to our emails, our blog, our YouTube channel, or our Facebook page for the most up-to-day event notifications.**
Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 6:00 pm: Kid’s activities and natural history displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory
- 6:15 pm-6:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 7:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
- 7:45 pm: Q&A with the speaker
First time visitor? Please read our pet policy & field station rules here, and find parking info and directions here. Please note that parking permit requirements are not enforced during our events.
February 10th, David Ledesma
Fossil reptiles and amphibians from the ice age
What is a fossil? Where can you find fossils? How can we use fossils to learn about the past? Take a dive into the ancient world and learn how we use dead things to understand life on earth.
Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. The talk will be held outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we request that visitors follow CDC and UT Austin-recommended guidelines to ensure the safety of all in attendance:
- Before attending the event, take the CDC’s online Coronavirus Self-Checker to ensure you are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, please get tested and stay home.
- We highly recommend masking for all attendees.
- At this time, we will not be providing food or drinks to reduce the need to remove masks, please plan accordingly.
- Maintain a physical distance of at least six feet between yourself and others, seating will be spaced appropriately.
- Use the provided hand sanitizer and wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) frequently.
For those who still prefer to attend virtually, we will be streaming the talk live on our YouTube channel. Please tune in here at 7pm CST. We ask for your patience in case of technological difficulties as we try out this new hybrid format. Feel free to post questions for the speaker in the comments and email scienceunderthestars@gmail.com with any issues.
Though we currently plan to have in-person presentations, we may be forced to return to an online zoom format at any time, including for inclement weather. **Please subscribe to our emails, our blog, our YouTube channel, or our Facebook page for the most up-to-day event notifications.**
Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 6:00 pm: Kid’s activities and natural history displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory
- 6:15 pm-6:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 7:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
- 7:45 pm: Q&A with the speaker
First time visitor? Please read our pet policy & field station rules here, and find parking info and directions here. Please note that parking permit requirements are not enforced during our events.
Recording of The world beneath your feet: a salamander’s perspective
Thanks to everyone for their flexibility with the rescheduling of Ruben Tovar’s talk! If you were unable to attend his fascinating talk about salamanders last Thursday, then check out the recording of his presentation and Q&A. And check out our YouTube channel for recordings of our past virtual Science Under the Stars lectures!
Virtual SUTS! The world beneath your feet: a salamander’s perspective
Please note change of date!
Welcome to Science Under the Virtual Stars! Join us this month when we’ll hear from Ruben Tovar share fun facts and information all about salamanders! Log on tomorrow, Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 pm CST! Below is a PDF full of links to activities for kids of all ages about salamanders, a coloring page of salamanders designed by UT Austin’s very own Britt White (who spoke at October’s SUTS) and a link to our virtual natural history tour of Brackenridge Field Laboratory. The live lecture and Q&A will be held over Zoom–link below!
Salamander Activities! Click the link or the image above for a list of fun activities and games for all ages!
Salamander coloring page designed by our very own Britt White!
Tour of Brackenridge Field Laboratory (13 min)
Zoom Information for live lecture and Q&A, November 18th at 7:00pm CST:
Topic: Virtual SUTS! The world beneath your feet: a salamander’s perspective
Time: Nov 18, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://utexas.zoom.us/j/99900698815
Meeting ID: 999 0069 8815
November 18th, Ruben Tovar
The world beneath your feet: a salamander’s perspective
**Please note date change!**
Please note that for this event, both the lecture and Q&A will be live and recorded.
Living in caves can be difficult for animals. Without light and little prey, it’s easy to wonder: how do cave-adapted animals survive and thrive in such extreme habitats? Join us as we dive into the dark depths of Texas’s aquifers to explore the diverse salamanders that live under our feet. Using cutting edge techniques, we will learn how differences in Eurycea salamander development might lead to the evolution of bizarre cave characteristics, like small eyes, flattened heads, and longer limbs, and how these subterranean aliens offer a window into the health of Texas aquifer ecosystems.
Science Under the Stars has gone virtual! This semester all SUTS activities will be online, but we encourage you to participate outdoors under the stars in your backyard! (If wifi allows for it, of course.) This month’s schedule is as follows:
- November 10th: Links to the kids activities will be posted here and on our Facebook page.
- November 18th, 7:00pm CST: Live online lecture and Q&A with the speaker! Please note, you must have a Zoom account to access the talk. You can get a free account on Zoom’s website.
Zoom info: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/99900698815
Meeting ID: 999 0069 8815
Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series based in Austin, Texas.
Science Under The Stars 