The Science Café – June Event
Changes In the Ice Age 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 June 19 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. Reservations are requested: Call (808) 847-8203, or email lgeschwind@bishopmuseum.org.
The June presentation, Meltdown! Understanding Abrupt Climate Changes in the Last Ice Age, features Dr. Axel Timmerman. Dr. Axel Timmermann is an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Hawai‘i and the co-leader of the research group “Impacts of Global Environmental Change” at the International Pacific research Center (IPRC).
The lecture will provide an overview of the main ideas presently being discussed by the paleo-climate research community regarding various theories explaining “abrupt” climate changes, including the impact of global warming on Earth’s climatic cycles. The climate of the last glacial period, 80,000 -11,000 years ago, is of particular interest for scientists because it furnishes a model for studying climate change. The large continental glacial ice sheets that covered North America and Europe during that age significantly affected global climate. At 2,000-4,000 meters high, they acted as topographic barrier for the atmospheric circulation. The glacial ice also changed Earth’s reflectivity, also known as albedo, which affects Earth’s overall temperature. Although the North American ice sheet accumulated snow gradually, it was variable, melting and surging into the North Atlantic every 7,000 to 10,000 years. Understanding of the nature of these surges, their abruptness and their effects on global climate is pivotal in assessing the risk of future abrupt climate changes.
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: July 17: Hurricanes and Climate Change: Preparing for the Worst with Jim Weyman of the National Weather Service; August 21: Cowbunga! 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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