March 11, 2019  

Neighborhood Science Talks

Science Under the Stars has expanded to include the Austin Public Library! At Neighborhood Science, previous SUTS speakers will present at different library branches around the city a couple times a month. Stay tuned for more updates!

mantis shrimp

March 28: Emily Rees – “The Science of Superheroes” 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Would you choose super-strength? The ability to leap over tall buildings in a single bound? Invisibility? Mind-control? These ‘superpowers’ that we see in movies and comic books actually occur in a variety of different animals! Come out to Neighborhood Science to learn about the invisible lurker of the ocean, the fastest punch among animals, and the heavy lifters of the animal kingdom.

  • March 28, 7pm at the Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S 5th St, Austin, TX 78704

 

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A singing mouse trills in the cloud forest, declaring its presence. credit Bret Pasch

April 25: 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!

  • April 25, 7pm at the Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S 5th St, Austin, TX 78704

 

February 22, 2019  

March 14, Chris Torres

Evolution of the flamingo’s smile

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Flamingos are some of the most iconic and recognizable animals in the world… but where did they come from and why do they look so funny? After centuries of struggle, biologists are finally beginning to make sense of how the bizarre flamingo lifestyle might have evolved. Come listen to the story of flamingo evolution, as told by one of the guys who helped piece it all together, and learn about how long flamingos have been around, what their relatives are like, and what they looked like before they turned so pink.

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.

January 25, 2019  

Spring 2019 Semester Schedule

Mark your calendars! We have four amazing speakers scheduled for this semester, on the second Thursday of every month:

  • February 14: Allison Davis – How to get a date: story of a clone
  • March 14: Chris Torres – Evolution of the flamingo’s smile
  • April 11: Decio Correa – All about frogs (and toads!)
  • May 9: Sarah Barfield – Sustainable agricultural science and permaculture

Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. Events are held outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703. Arrive early for refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages!

Note: We will post the precise schedules for each event in a separate, event-specific post. Follow this link for details on the Feb 14 event. Follow this blog or our Facebook page to get event notifications.

First time visitor? Please read our pet policy & field station rules here, and find parking info and directions here.

January 25, 2019  

Feb 14, Allison Davis

How to get a date: story of a clone

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What do people, peacocks, and Poeciliids have in common? This Valentine’s day, they are all looking for dates! While tasty treats and fancy feathers may work for many animals, clones need some special dating advice. Join us this month to discover how an all-female clonal fish joins the dating scene!

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, kids activities, and displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory will be available.
  • 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.

December 19, 2018  

Neighborhood Science Talks

Science Under the Stars has expanded to include the Austin Public Library! At Neighborhood Science, previous SUTS speakers will present at different library branches around the city a couple times a month. Stay tuned for more updates!

pokemon

“Gotta Catch ‘Em All: Real Life Pokemon” (Anne Chambers)

Pokémon Go has encouraged everyone to go outside and catch Pokémon with their phones. Did you know that most Pokémon are based on real animals, many of which you can find right here in Texas? And you can use apps just like Pokémon Go to find them–while helping scientists with their research at the same time. Come out and learn the many ways in which citizen science has helped researchers around the world and how you can get involved too!
  • January 10, 7pm at the Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S 5th St, Austin, TX 78704
  • February 12, 7pm at the Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703. **This talk will be held outdoors, so bring a chair and warm clothes!

mantis shrimp

“Science of Superheroes: Superpowers in the Animal Kingdom” (Emily Rees)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Would you choose super-strength? The ability to leap over tall buildings in a single bound? Invisibility? Mind-control? These ‘superpowers’ that we see in movies and comic books actually occur in a variety of different animals! Come out to Neighborhood Science to learn about the invisible lurker of the ocean, the fastest punch among animals, and the heavy lifters of the animal kingdom.

  • January 15, 7pm at the Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.  **This talk will be held outdoors, so bring a chair and warm clothes!

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