Just what is Science Pub? Science Pub is an informal get-together where you can interact with experts and where there's no such thing as a silly question. No scientific background is required - just curiosity, a sense of humor, and an appetite for food, drinks, and knowledge. We meet once a month. Topics are focused on advances in science and technology that directly affect our lives, and the experts are leading researchers and scientists in the field. Don't expect a speaker behind the podium! It's relaxed, interactive, and fun.

The Science Pub is open to anyone and everyone, no RSVP required. Science Pub is meant for adults. Tell your friends, and we hope to see you there!

For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, please contact sciencepub@omsi.edu or call 503-797-4517.

The Portland Science Pub has a new home!

When: The last Monday of the month @ 7:00 pm

Where: Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 N.W. Glisan, Portland, OR

Doors open at 6 p.m.

OMSI has started recording the science pub! You can find recordings on our past pub page, or subscribe to the podcast!

The Internet has changed the way we communicate, do business, and access information. But how has it affected our sexuality and sexual relationships? Can a person truly fall in love with someone online? How has "sex-tech" altered our view of intimacy? Learn more about how the Internet is rewriting the rules of romance and some of the fundamental principles of psychology as well.

L. Kris Gowen, Ph.D., has been a sexuality educator for over ten years and is a section leader for the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). As part of her role as faculty and research associate at Portland State University, she has been teaching Human Sexuality and other sexual health courses since 2002. Her research interests include how the Internet impacts adolescent sexuality. Visit her blog.

Despite cloudy days and rainy weather, solar energy can be a smart choice for homes and businesses in Oregon. Come learn about the latest in solar technologies and what could work best for you: Solar electricity generation? Solar water heating? Passive solar design? We'll discuss how to take advantage of financial incentives and what to look for when choosing a contractor. This Science Pub will prepare you to take any of Solar Oregon's in-depth workshops, to do more focused research on your own, and even to start working with a contractor.

Stuart Green is a solar educator, engineer, and renewable energy researcher. He is program and events director at Solar Oregon, a local nonprofit that provides solar outreach and education to Oregonians.

When: The 2nd Thursday of the month.
7:00 pm
Where: Cozmic Pizza
199 W 8th Ave, (inside The Strand @ 8th & Charnelton)

Co-sponsors:

The existence of black holes has been suspected for over 200 years, but few physicists expected to ever find evidence for them. But times have changed. Now, it?s believed that just about every spiral galaxy has a massive black hole in its center, and we know more about how they form and how they?re likely to interact with the rest of the universe. At this Science Pub, we?ll discuss the latest research and theories, including how gravitational radiation detectors (such as LIGO) help understand these captivating astrophysical objects.

Jim Isenberg, Ph.D, has worked for 30 years on what Einstein's theory of general relativity tells us about black holes, gravitational waves, and the evolution of the universe. He is a professor of mathematics and director of the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Oregon.

Open (or compound) fractures are one of the most problematic injuries, presenting formidable challenges to physicians and surgeons for centuries. Learn about the history of fracture care - from wooden splints and plaster-of-paris bandages to state-of-the-art stainless steel, polymer fibers, and titanium implants. We'll discuss applicable biomechanical principles of fracture care, case histories, and surgical and x-ray imaging, and discover all that happens when "bones ain't where they're supposed to be."

Thomas K. Wuest, MD, directed the development and completion of the Slocum Center for Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine in Eugene, OR, where he is now president. He is a fellow of the Orthopedic Trauma Association and was a principal in the establishment of the Orthopedic Trauma Service at Sacred Heart Medical Center as a regional referral center for complex skeletal injuries and fracture care.