World of Science Lectures

At 7 p.m. the first Friday of the month, the Planetarium becomes a forum for a local scientist to discuss his or her specialties. Past topics have included severe weather, glaciers, the Hubble Telescope, tornadoes, insects, and wildflowers. Admission is only $1 at the door.

Schedule for 2008-2009 Academic year

October 3          "Stem Cells" 
What are stem cells, how are they made, and why are they important?   These questions and more will be discussed by Joanne Manaster from the Cell & Developmental Biology Department at the UI.

November 7    "Wind on the Prairie: A New Look at Growing Energy"
We welcome Randy Lloyd from the UI Extension Office in Bloomington to talk about the development and growth for wind energy and the Twin Groves Wind Farm, situated just east of Bloomington.  

December 5       "The Milky Way "
Dr. James B. Kaler returns to the dome for a breathtaking tour of our Milky Way galaxy, "seen" from both outside and from within.

February 6          "Recovering Energy From Wastes"
Dr. Timothy Lindsey, manager of the Pollution Prevention Program at the Illinois Waste Management & Research Center, will show us some practical approaches for reducing fossil fuel consumption and demands on our landfills.

March 6                "Climate Extremes and Their Impacts in Illinois"
Climatologist Jim Angel, with the Illinois Water Survey, will talk about several climate events, including the powerful floods of 2008, where agricultural losses in Illinois alone exceed $1.5 billion!

April 3                "Medicinal Plants"
Many people use plants as medicines, but which are supported by clinical evidence and which are only supported by folklore?  Dr. Donald Briskin, Professor of Plant Physiology at the UI, will give us the scoop.