What we’re about
Science on Tap is a science lecture series where you can sit back, enjoy a pint, and laugh while you learn. Listen to experts talk about the science in your neighborhood and around the world. You don’t have to be a science geek to have fun—all you need is a thirst for knowledge!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- My Life is Mostly a Disaster: Perspectives of a Multihazard First ResponderKiggins Theatre, Vancouver, WA$20.00
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
Natural hazards are an unavoidable part of everyday life. In many cases, it’s the proverbial “it’s not if, but when” they might occur. Whether a wildfire threatens a local community or an earthquake devastates an entire region, the moment a hazard becomes a disaster there is a vital need for those impacted to have access to critical information. But where do you find timely, credible information? Well, the details of what has happened come from researchers and investigators, while the information people receive is shared by public information officers. Today’s speaker is both.Steven Sobieszczyk is a scientist and spokesperson with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While “Sobie” spent most of his career researching landslide hazards, sediment transport, and flooding, he now focuses on science communication and public information. Steve is a multihazard first responder and has spoken extensively about everything from earthquakes in Puerto Rico and eruptions in Hawaii to wildfires and floods across the U.S.
Join us for what should be a captivating evening of stories and insights into what it’s like to live a life where each day is one disaster after another.
Steven Sobieszczyk has spent 23 years with the USGS. Currently, he serves as media lead for natural hazards at the bureau. Between 2005 and 2010, Steve earned degrees in landslide engineering geology, hydrology, and geographic information systems (GIS) from Portland State University. Besides his research, Sobie’s passion is to help others communicate better, regardless of their background or interests.COST:
$15.00 DISCOUNT (senior, student, it's your birthday, just can't afford the GA price right now)
$20.00 GENERAL ADMISSION
$35.00 VIP Premium seating (front center rows)
$45.00 SUPPORTER: Premium seating, pint glass (beer not included), and good feelings for supporting the programTICKETS: Get tickets!
WHERE ARE MY PEEPS?
This is an unhosted meetup event, but we will have a sign so you all can sit together if you like! (May get taken over if the show is sold out)IN-PERSON ONLY
We are no longer able to offer a live stream option for our live events. A recording may be available after the event on our Patreon (or sometimes also our YouTube channel) at the speaker's discretion.Visit the Science On Tap website
- Lava, Mudflows and Ash: Volcanoes in the Pacific NorthwestAlberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR$25.00
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
The Cascades Range is home to many volcanoes, but how active and dangerous are they? What are the greatest hazards from volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest, who monitors them, and how?At this Science on Tap, Jon Major explores volcanic processes associated with volcanic eruptions and their aftermath, provides insights on the greatest threats posed by the Cascades volcanoes, and reveals how our regional volcanoes are monitored and why. The great 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens fundamentally changed how scientists viewed volcanic eruptions. The four decades since have seen significant advancements in our understanding of volcanic histories, processes, hazards, monitoring capabilities, and the role that scientists have in communicating with governmental agencies and the public.
Jon Major is the Scientist-in-Charge at the US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington. He has worked at volcanoes in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, El Salvador, Chile, and the Philippines. He has been working at Mount St. Helens since 1981, and has been with the Cascades Volcano Observatory since 1983.
Back by popular demand! This is a repeat show from 9/21/22 at Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver.COST:
$15.00 DISCOUNT (senior, student, it's your birthday, just can't afford the GA price right now)
$25.00 GENERAL ADMISSION
$35.00 VIP Premium seating (front center rows)
$45.00 SUPPORTER: Premium seating, pint glass (beer not included), and good feelings for supporting the programTICKETS: Get tickets!
WHERE ARE MY PEEPS?
This is an unhosted meetup event, but we will have a sign so you all can sit together if you like! (May get taken over if the show is sold out)IN-PERSON ONLY
We are no longer able to offer a live stream option for our live events. A recording may be available after the event on our Patreon (or sometimes also our YouTube channel) at the speaker's discretion.Visit the Science On Tap website
- Living with Wildfire: Perspectives From a Former FirefighterAlberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR$25.00
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
What’s it like to work on the front lines of a wildfire?
How and why are wildfires changing in the Northwest?This talk will jump into both of these topics, while also expanding on how you can prepare for a future of fire in the Northwest.
Amanda Monthei spent four years working as a wildland firefighter—including two years as a US Forest Service hotshot (a highly-trained team) based in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Her work gave her a first-hand glimpse at the way PNW ecosystems are shifting and how both wildfire and climate change play a critical role. This talk will give you an inside glimpse at what this unique job entails, as well as the challenges facing wildland firefighters right now.
She’ll also address why our temperate rainforests no longer feel like the wildfire-safe haven they once were. Believe it or not, fire belongs in these “wet side” ecosystems! But while infrequent, these fires tend to be catastrophically large and fast-moving – take the Labor Day fires of 2020 as an example of how these ecosystems can burn. Explore why this relationship is expected to grow more tenuous as climate change brings more extended drought and other climactic changes to the Northwest.
Amanda Monthei left firefighting in 2019 and found a niche career in writing about wildfire, including for outlets like The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Deseret News, Patagonia and NBC News. She also produces and hosts a podcast, Life with Fire, which examines our relationship with wildfires and how we can better coexist with them. She lives in Bellingham, WA.
COST:
$15.00 DISCOUNT (senior, student, it's your birthday, just can't afford the GA price right now)
$25.00 GENERAL ADMISSION
$35.00 VIP Premium seating (front center rows)
$45.00 SUPPORTER: Premium seating, pint glass (beer not included), and good feelings for supporting the programTICKETS: Get tickets!
WHERE ARE MY PEEPS?
This is an unhosted meetup event, but we will have a sign so you all can sit together if you like! (May get taken over if the show is sold out)IN-PERSON ONLY
We are no longer able to offer a live stream option for our live events. A recording may be available after the event on our Patreon (or sometimes also our YouTube channel) at the speaker's discretion.Visit the Science On Tap website
************************************************* - Summer of the Sharks: Studying Ocean PredatorsAlberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR$25.00
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
The word “shark” has historically conjured images of a mindless, man-eating machine. Yet there are over 500 shark species of all shapes and sizes, consuming everything from seagrass to marine mammals. All are critical to our oceans, and their presence usually indicates that an ecosystem is healthy. However, in order to reverse their decline, we need to know more about them.How do sharks behave?
What is their population size?
How old do they get?
How many young do they have?Getting answers is a huge challenge – how do you study something that is out of sight and sometimes larger than your own boats? Oregon’s waters are home to 15 shark species, but a dedicated research program was only recently established for these animals – the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University. At this Science on Tap, learn about their innovative research methods, from animal-borne cameras and “FitBits” to satellite tracking to drone footage, as well as why this information is critical to conservation.
Some of their scientists have been featured on Shark Week, BBC and National Geographic, so come prepared with all of your questions about sharks, shark science, and sharks in the public eye!Dr. Alexandra (Alex) McInturf (she/her) is a research associate in the Big Fish Lab (BFL) at Oregon State University. Her research focuses on the social lives of sharks and tracking the movements and assessing the diets of many species. She completed her PhD in Animal Behavior at the University of California, Davis in 2021. She has been with the Big Fish Lab since then, where she conducts her research, mentors the BFL’s many undergraduate and graduate students, and leads community engagement efforts.
COST:
$15.00 DISCOUNT (senior, student, it's your birthday, just can't afford the GA price right now)
$20.00 GENERAL ADMISSION
$35.00 VIP Premium seating (front center rows)
$45.00 SUPPORTER: Premium seating, pint glass (beer not included), and good feelings for supporting the programTICKETS: Get tickets!
WHERE ARE MY PEEPS?
This is an unhosted meetup event, but we will have a sign so you all can sit together if you like! (May get taken over if the show is sold out)IN-PERSON ONLY
We are no longer able to offer a live stream option for our live events. A recording may be available after the event on our Patreon (or sometimes also our YouTube channel) at the speaker's discretion.Visit the Science On Tap website
