Hot Science – Cool Talks

Great presentations and fun for kids of all ages

If you’re a student of any age, but especially if you’re a kid, the Environment Science Institute (ESI) at the University of Texas at Austin has an awesome program called “Hot Science – Cool Talks” where you can go and listen to scientists talk about their research. You’ll want to get there early since they have a lot of fun activities for kids before the presentation. (If you’re not in Austin, Texas, that’s okay. You can also watch a live webcast of the talks from wherever you’re at! 🙂 )


Spring 2015: Hot Science – Cool Talks presentations

Contrary to popular belief, Zeus did not carry lighting bolts in his right hand. (Image credits: Zeus from Project Gutenberg and Lighting from Smial wikipedia)

Contrary to popular belief, Zeus did not carry lighting bolts in his right hand. (Image credits: Zeus from Project Gutenberg and Lighting from Smial wikipedia)


Fall 2014: Hot Science – Cool Talks presentations

Hooray for Modern Chemistry (and yes, I have a Periodic Table shower curtain)

Hooray for Modern Chemistry (and yes, I have a Periodic Table shower curtain)


Spring 2014: Hot Science – Cool Talks presentations

Amazonian Primate (Photo credit: UT Austin - Environmental Science Institute.)

Amazonian Primate (Photo credit: UT Austin – Environmental Science Institute.)


Fall 2013 Hot Science – Cool Talks Presentations

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)


Spring 2013 Hot Science – Cool Talks Presentations

Hot_Science_Cool_Talks_Spring_2013

(1) Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico: The History and Future of the Texas Coast

Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 7:00 p.m. CT

The Gulf of Mexico has seen some of the most destructive hurricanes on record.  What can residents in the Gulf region expect future storms to be like? Dr. Kerry A. Emanuel will share his groundbreaking research on how climate change can affect hurricane activity and discuss its implications for the Gulf region.

(2) Environmental Justice:  Progress towards Sustainability

Friday, February 22, 2013, 7:00 p.m. CT

Dr. Robert Bullard will present an insightful account of events, individuals, and organizations that have shaped the environmental justice movement over the past two decades. He will also describe a framework for how major advances in environmental justice can and should be achieved.

(3) Diagnosing Ourselves: Biotechnology in Your Back Pocket

Thursday, April 4, 2013, 7:00 p.m. CT

What advances are being made to allow people without medical training to readily detect things like viruses? Can such biotechnology help us understand our own unique physiology?  Dr. Andy Ellington will discuss exciting advances in low-cost, personalized diagnostics and the promise of creating virtual clinical trials through social networks to improve healthcare on a global scale.


Fall 2012 Hot Science – Cool Talks Presentations

(1) Black Swans & the U.S. Future: Creating Sustainable & Resilient Societies

Friday, September 14, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

“Black Swans” are infrequent and unpredictable events that can drive change in both human and natural systems. Dr. David Orr, one of our generation’s leading environmental philosophers, asks if we can prepare for, absorb, and recover from the unpredictable disruptions from climate-related ecological change.

(2) Last Call at the Oasis: Will There be Enough Water for the 21st Century?

Friday, October 26, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

Without water, life cannot exist. Yet, the crisis faced by our most precious resource will be the key issue the world faces in the 21st century. Dr. Jay Famiglietti explores this challenge for both Texas and California using innovative satellite technology and his experience as a featured scientist in the 2012 film, “Last Call at the Oasis”.

(3) The War on Cancer: 41 Years after Nixon’s Declaration

Friday, November 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer by signing the National Cancer Act. How has our understanding, awareness, and treatment of cancer progressed over the years? Have we identified new causes? What new breakthroughs lie just around the corner? Dr. Mark Clanton, Chief Medical Officer for the American Cancer Society – High Plains Division, will provide insights on this war that most people never hear about despite seeing cancer’s prevalence across all segments of society.

Watch my video interviews with Dr. Clanton:


Spring 2012 Hot Science – Cool Talks Presentations

(1) Dark Energy, Explosions, and Zombie Stars: The Past and Future of our Universe

Friday, January 13, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

Dr. Andrew Howell from Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, and host of National Geographic Channel’s third season of Known Universe, talks about “zombie stars” and the dark energy that makes our universe expand. See Dr. Howell now in the season 3 trailer of Known Universe on YouTube.

Blog posts:

(2) From Fracking to the 40 Acres: Energy Challenges for UT, Texas, and the World

Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

Dr. Michael Webber of UT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, UT-Austin, discusses the current energy challenges faced at UT-Austin, in Texas, and across the globe.

(3) Life on Europa – Exploring Jupiter’s Icy Moon

Friday, April 13, 2012, 7:00 p.m. CT

Dr. Britney Schmidt of UT’s Institute of Geophysics, shares her recent discovery of a “great lake” on Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter, and explains why the existence of liquid water and floating ice on Europa suggests a potential new habitat for life in outer space.


Fall 2011 Hot Science – Cool Talks Presentations

Your Eye, My Eye, and the Eye of the Aye-Aye

December 2, 2011

Dr. Christopher Kirk, Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology, talks about the evolution of human vision from 65 million years ago to the present.


Prior posts and articles


Essential links

5 responses to “Hot Science – Cool Talks”

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  3. Sahil
    March 28, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    I have been to several of these talks and they are very cool an interesting. They are all about a two-hours long, but you will never get bored. Cool site/blog!!!!!

    Reply
    • invasivehunter
      April 12, 2015 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks so much, Sahil. I’m glad you like Hot Science – Cool Talks. I’ve always found the presentations fascinating.

      I had such a great time presenting with you at the Children and Nature Networking 2015 Conference. I love your work with iNaturalist!

      Your friend,
      Ben

      Reply

  4. Pingback: Superstition in Science – UT Austin Hot Science Cool Talk | Commander Ben

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