December 13, Tracy Burkhard
As quiet as a mouse? (Not singing mice!)
“As quiet as a mouse” refers to people who don’t make a peep–but contrary to the popular saying, many mice want to be heard, and some are actually quite loud! Mice–and mammals in general–use all kinds of vocal sounds to communicate with each other in a variety of contexts. How do mammals make vocalizations? What are mice are saying to each other? And can mice really sing? Come to this lecture to find out answers to these questions and more!
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. Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 6:00 pm: Snacks and displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory will be available.
- 6:30 pm: Kids activities start! Meet with our children’s division for fun activities designed for all ages.
- 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.
October 11, Emma Dietrich
The Social Lives of Arachnids
The arachnid class is comprised of over one hundred thousand described species, many of which live a predominantly solitary life. However, almost all arachnids spend at least some portion of their lives interacting with others of their own species, and a few species have evolved to spend their whole lives living in a group. Territorial disputes, intricate courtship dances, extended maternal care, and cooperative group living are just a few types of social interactions scientists have observed in arachnid species. If you want to learn more about the variety of fascinating social behaviors displayed across this group of animals, come out to Science Under the Stars this October! Emma is a PhD candidate in EEB, and you can read about her work here: https://arachnidlady.wordpress.com/.
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. Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 7:00 pm: Snacks, kids activities, and displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory will be available.
- 7:15 pm-7:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 8:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
- 8:45 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.
Sept 13, Kelly Wallace
Fish are smarter than we think!
Have you ever heard that fish only have a three-second memory? Well that might not be giving fish enough credit. Fish are smarter than we think! They can learn from other fish, solve mazes, and even learn to hit a moving target despite never practicing! Join us for the first Science Under the Stars of the fall semester on September 13 with EEB candidate Kelly Wallace who will talk on some of the cool studies that scientists have conducted to show that fish have some pretty awesome cognitive abilities, as well as go over some of her own PhD work at UT looking at how fish solve problems.
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. Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 7:00 pm: Snacks, kids activities, and displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory will be available.
- 7:15 pm-7:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 8:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
- 8:45 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.
October 12, Chi-Chun Andy Fang
A closer look at embryos in the animal kingdom.
For all animals, life begins as a tiny embryo in a small, enclosed space. However, embryonic development and reproductive patterns vary a lot across the animal kingdom; for example, some animals lay eggs, while others reproduce through live birth. Come to Science Under the Stars this October to learn more about animal development and reproduction, as well as the role of gene regulation in these two processes.
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. Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 7:00 pm: Food and displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory will be available.
- 7:15 pm-7:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 7:30 pm: Kid’s activities start! Meet with our children’s division for fun activities designed for all ages.
- 8:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
March 9, Rong Ma
Horns and Thorns: Nature’s Ammunition.
The natural world is filled with weapons. From horns to boiling acid, pincers to neurotoxins, animals (and plants!) have evolved a multitude of weapons with which to wage war. These weapons come in variety of shapes and sizes, and are used in a multitude of different ways and contexts. Yet, they have evolved for a common purpose: they’re useful for securing food, preventing yourself from being food, and, often, reliable with the ladies. At Science Under the Stars this March, come see some of nature’s most awe-inspiring weaponry and find out why they matter.
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.
Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:
- 6:15pm – Snacks, natural history displays, and activities designed for kids of all ages will be available!
- 6:30-6:50pm – Guided tours of BFL will be offered, dependent on weather and light conditions (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
- 7:00pm-7:45pm – Settle in to hear the talk!
