The Science Café
Meets May 15 :
Climate Changes
Explored in Presentation
Bishop Museum is introducing a new science program designed to bring together great minds and lifelong learners for intriguing talks about the science of tsunamis, surf, hurricanes, climate change and environmental science, among other topics. The presentations will be followed by opportunities to mix and mingle with like-minded researchers, educators, and scientists.
The Science Café , a brand new program hosted by Bishop Museum ’s science education department, began in April 2007 and continues through September 2007 with once-a-month presentations by leading scientists and researchers in their respective fields. The Science Café is set for May 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Watumull Planetarium’s Cooke Rotunda at Bishop Museum . Admission is free for the presentation with no-host refreshments offered after the formal presentation in Atherton Halau.
The May 15 presentation, Changing Climate and Weather Extremes: Managing the Risks, features Eileen Shea of the East-West Center . Shea is the Director of the NOAA Integrated Date and Environmental Applications (NOAA IDEA) Center. This center was established to advance NOAA’s mission objectives and meet critical needs for ocean, climate and ecosystem information to protect lives and property, support economic development and enhance the resilience of Pacific Island communities in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Her presentation will provide an overview of the consequences of climate variability and change for Hawai‘i and Pacific Island communities and resources and explore opportunities to improve the use of climate science information to support decision-making. Shea will also discuss key findings in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Reports and related clime assessment activities in the region.
The presentation will also use examples from Pacific Islands to highlight ways in which information about year-to-year climate variability is already being used today to support decision-making in key sectors and explore emerging opportunities to manage the risks associated with climate change. Space is limited; Reservations requested, call (808) 847-8203.
Admission to all The Science Café programs is free. Refreshments by Da Spot Health Food and Juices and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered for sale in Atherton Halau after the presentation. Participants will have an opportunity to meet and talk with the speaker and each other in a casual atmosphere. This is not a child-friendly program and young children are not recommended to participate. High school and college students interested in science are encouraged to attend to meet leaders of the science community as well as other possible mentors. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 847-8203, or emailing lgeschwind@bishopmuseum.org.
The ScienceCafé presentations are planned as follows: June 19: Meltdown! Understanding Abrupt Climate Changes in the Last Ice Age with Dr. Axel Timmermann of the International Pacific Research Center; July 17: Hurricanes and Climate Change: Preparing for the Worst with Jim Weyman of the National Weather Service; August 21: Cowabunga! Surf-stoked Science with Pat Caldwell who is the NOAA Data Center Hawai‘i Liaison; and September 18: Celebrating 200 years of NOAA Science and Service with Bill Thomas, Director of NOAA Pacific Services Center.
The Science Café is sponsored by an environmental literacy grant from NOAA’s Office of Education, in partnership with the NOAA Pacific Services Center’s B-WET Hawai‘i Program.
For more information about The Science Café, call (808) 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.
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