Timely science-centric talks held monthly
The show goes on! Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences continues to present its popular lecture series this spring. Co-sponsored by Museum of the Rockies and Hopa Mountain, a pair of virtual talks in March and April will keep the conversation going as the vaccines are distributed.
Next up is “Fighting Doubt: Facilitating Trust Between Scientists & the Public” at 7pm on Wednesday, March 10th. How can Society advance evidence-based, science-related public policy when a portion of the public doesn’t believe in our best science? Dr. Kristen Intemann, Professor of Philosophy at Montana State University, will examine the evidence for explaining this “belief gap” and will discuss potential solutions and strategies for bridging the gap between scientists and the public on important issues including climate change and vaccine safety.
Looking to next month, “Microbes, Carbon & Climate: Impacts of a Changing Cryosphere” is set for Wednesday, April 14th at 7pm. What can the study of microbes living in cold temperature environments tell us about the physical limits of life? Dr. Christine Foreman, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at MSU, will discuss how her research with deep ice cores and current environments provides insights into bacterial processes in cold places, past and present, and how carbon moves through these living systems in the context of a changing climate.
These talks will be presented online via Zoom. Free and open to the public. Find Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences on Facebook to RSVP or visit www.gallatinscience.org for additional details and streaming links. The nonprofit was established in 2017 to explore cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society. •