This fall the campus and community are invited to participate in two science series at Modesto Junior College: Modesto Partners in Science (MAPS) presentations and Science Colloquiums! Both series are offering a variety of timely science topics, and are free and open to the public. MAPs presentation are held on Friday evenings, and the Science Colloquium mini-seminars are offered on Thursdays, 1 - 1:50 p.m. in Forum 110 on East Campus.
Upcoming Fall Science Colloquiums:
Dec. 4 "Environmental DNA Barcoding of the Sierra Nevada Freshwater Invertebrates." with Benoit Dayrat, Ph.D., UC Merced, School of Natural Sciences. Freshwater macro-invertebrates were sampled from the Merced and Tuolumne watersheds in the Sierra Nevada, and a DNA barcoding approach is being used to evaluate the diversity of freshwater invertebrates at different localities. This work will be extended to the rest of the Sierra Nevada, and DNA sequences produced can be used for future reliable identification of Sierra Nevada macro-invertebrates, and thus enhance monitoring and conservation efforts.
Upcoming Fall MAPS Presentations:
Nov. 21 "Declining Salmon Populations, Climate Change, Shrinking Rivers, Dirty Water...Can We Fix This?" will be the topic explored at 7:30 p.m. in Forum 110 on East Campus by Tim Heyne, a senior scientist with the California of Department of Fish and Game's Tuolumne River Restoration Center. He will discuss the latest research on the life history of chinook salmon and provide insight and perspective on the current state of salmon fisheries in our local rivers. The talk will highlight the anthropogenic and natural factors that appear to control the highly variable populations of these local salmon.
Dec. 5 Dr. Lisa Roth, audiologist, will address "Sound Science: Hearing Health and Cochlear Implants" at 7:30 p.m. in Forum 110 on East Campus. She will discuss the science of audiology and audiology as a profession, the importance of healthy hearing and protecting one's hearing, and how the technology of cochlear implants are enhancing the lives of people with hearing loss.
Dec. 12 "The Christmas Star" will be presented by Dr. Bill Luebke, MJC professor of Astronomy, at 7:30 p.m. in Forum 110 on East Campus. This annual program is a thought-provoking, entertaining, scientific, and yet reverent analysis of the star referenced in the Biblical story of birth of Jesus Christ. Dr. Luebke will present a richly illustrated exploration of the lore and scientific explanations surrounding the "star in the east." The presentation is suitable for all ages.
For more information about the MAPS program and future presentations, contact MJC's Science, Mathematics and Engineering Division Office at 575-6172 or visit the website: http://virtual.yosemite.cc.ca.us/MAPS/
