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luigi anzivino luigi anzivino

Luigi Anzivino, neuroscientist and magician, expains how the phenomena of cognitive and sensory illusions are responsible for the "magic" of magic tricks. Oct 2009. Photos: J. Mandel, Checkerbox Photography.

Douglas Long and Smilodon californicus Malcolm Potts and Thomas Hayden, authors of Sex & War

The Oakland Museum's Douglas Long and our state fossil, Smilodon californicus (a sabertooth cat). Feb 2009. Photo: Sevda Eris.

Authors Thomas Hayden and Malcolm Potts talk about the biological roots of warfare. March 2009. Photo: Erika Check Hayden.

ask a scientist douglas smith and jason wechter ask a scientist moon

Amateur astronomers David Frey, Douglas Smith, and Jayson Wechter set up their telescopes for us after Jennifer Heldman's talk about the moon. Oct 2008. Photos: William Suguitan

ask a scientist David Calkins ask a scientist David Calkins

David Calkins, one of America's most respected robotics authorities, talks about the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence. August 2008. Photos: Dave Schumaker

ask a scientist john monteverdi juliana gallin ask a scientist john monteverdi

Left: Meteorologist and storm chaser John Monteverdi answers questions about tornadoes. Right: John chats with weather-enthusiasts during the break. April 2008. Photos: J. Mandel, Checkerbox Photography.

ask a scientist David Barker, Linda Shore, and Keith Devlin ask a scientist baseball science

Left: David Barker, Linda Shore, and Keith Devlin talk about the science and math of baseball. Right: Outdoorsie types enjoy the talk from Axis's back patio. Co-presented with KQED's QUEST program. March 2008.

ask a scientist physics circus zeke kossover ask a scientist physics circus zeke kossover
ask a scientist physics circus electric pickle ask a scientist physics circus hovercraft
ask a scientist physics circus bed of nails
ask a scientist physics circus zeke kossover tucker hiatt

Our first Physics Circus was a blast! From top left: Ringmaster Zeke Kossover performs and explains the tablecloth trick; Zeke busts some common myths about lenses; the famous electric pickle glows; attendees ride a hovercraft; a volunteer lies on a bed of nails; Zeke takes a sledgehammer to the chest. Feb 2008.

patricia burchat ask a scientist puzzle party

Stanford physics professor Pat Burchat wows the crowd with the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. Dec 2007.

One of AaS's top puzzle solving teams works out a tough one at our 2007 Holiday Puzzle Party.

ask a scientist big waves toby garfield grant washburn

Physical oceanographer Toby Garfield and big wave surfer Grant Washburn talk about the science of monster waves. Co-presented with KQED's QUEST program. Oct 2007.

ask a scientist trivia contest ask a scientist lynn robertson

Proud winners of Ask a Scientist's 4th Anniversary Trivia Contest. August 2007.

UC Berkeley's Lynn Robertson talks about synesthesia. Nov 2007. Photo courtesy of bunrab.com.

wes carroll math tutor ask a scientist pi day puzzle party

Left: Puzzle Master and math tutor Wes Carroll teases brains at Ask a Scientist's Pi Day Puzzle Party. Right: Contestants collaborate in the Bazaar Cafe's back garden. March 2007.

ask a scientist shamit kachru

Stanford physics professor Shamit Kachru uses familiar objects to try to explain string theory to an attentive crowd. Feb 2007.

ask a scientist trivia night ask a scientist trivia winners

Left: Contestants compete their brains out at Ask a Scientist's Holiday Trivia Party, hosted by science writer Robin Marks. Right: And the winners are..."The Bus Drivers!" Dec 2006.

hitoshi murayama sandy harcourt

Physicist Hitoshi Murayama explains the meaning of the world's most famous equation: E=mc^2. Dec 2006.

Ask a Scientist and the Leakey Foundation co-present Sandy Harcourt's talk on why we study monkeys. Nov 2006.

shari bookstaff whales

Skyline College biology prof Shari Bookstaff answers questions about gray whales. A whale-loving little one examines some models. July 2006.

david schwartz usgs robin marks juliana gallin
ask a scientist san francisco ask a scientist trivia winners

From top left: David Schwartz of the USGS talks about earthquakes on the eve of the 1906 centennial anniversary; Trivia Mistress Robin Marks and AaS director Juliana Gallin show off trivia contest prizes; attentive attendees play Temblor Trivia to test their seismic smarts; our three contest winners. April 2006. Photos: Alan Warshaw.

andrew fraknoi ask a scientist andrew fraknoi ask a scientist

Andrew Fraknoi, chair of Foothill College's astronomy program, describes the mysterious world of black holes. Jan 2006. Photos: Mark Johnson.

eddy rubin rich ivry ask a scientist

Eddy Rubin, director of the JGI, talks about sequencing the DNA of an extinct species of cave bear. Aug 2005. Photo: David Gilbert.

Berkeley's Rich Ivry (orange shirt) explains right and left brain function. January 2005. Photo: Aaron Walburg.

 

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