Chicago Science Field Trips

PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 8 PM.

In this science outreach series, scientists present different scientific topics to the general public in a laid-back atmosphere in an art gallery.

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming fall 2025 events:
11/20/25 – Geoengineering
12/11/25 – Nuclear Physics
More information will be given closer to each event.

The October 2025 event:
Why Do Relatives Resemble Each Other? Untangling Genes and Environment in Complex Traits
Presented by Ms. Marida Ianni-Ravn
University of Chicago

Art in the gallery introduced by Fran Lightbound
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Presentation abstract and presenter bios are below.

PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 8 PM.

Exciting science, art and socializing.
Donation bar.
Vegan snacks.

Events are always free and open to all, so feel free to invite others.
Hope to see you there!

Parlour & Ramp Gallery is at 2130 W. 21st St.
Easily accessible by the pink line (Damen stop) and the Damen Ave. (#50) bus. Some street parking available.
https://parlourandramp.com/

Facebook event page,
https://www.facebook.com/events/817165270818602.

You are invited to join the Art of Science Facebook group,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/308458645920283/.

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Why Do Relatives Resemble Each Other? Untangling Genes and Environment in Complex Traits

Many human traits—from height to disease risk to food preference—are influenced by both, genetic variation and the environments we live in. Understanding both is important: genes can reveal the biology underlying traits and can guide treatments, while environments might shape risks in ways we can intervene on. The challenge in distinguishing genetic and environmental effects is that relatives share not only DNA, but also environments such as household, culture, and socioeconomic background. These shared environments can mimic the effects of genes, making the two hard to separate.

Marida Ianni-Ravn will explore in this presentation how genetic and environmental influences become entangled, how researchers work to distinguish them, and why this matters for understanding human health and disease.

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Marida Ianni-Ravn
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Marida Ianni-Ravn is a fourth year PhD student in Human Genetics at the University of Chicago, where she studies how genes and shared environments shape human traits. She previously earned a master’s degree in Bioinformatics at the University of Copenhagen and an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Beyond research, her biggest passions are art—especially portraiture—and a street dance style called locking.

Fran Lightbound
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Frances Lightbound is an interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago, working between printmaking, sculpture and installation to address the materiality of built space, and relationships between time, bodies and buildings. She is a lecturer in Printmedia at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues in the US and Europe, with recent solo exhibitions at Rule Gallery (Marfa TX), Bird Show (Chicago), and the John David Mooney Foundation (Chicago). Lightbound was awarded a Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship in 2017. Originally from Sheffield, England, she received an MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BA (Hons) from Glasgow School of Art, Scotland.

Asteroids & Comets

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Course: CEHUMNT-0001-200
College of DuPage Main Campus
Location: SRC 2000
Joseph DalSanto, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, College of DuPage

Description: First we will examine asteroids – small, rocky bodies of the inner solar system. Then we will explore comets – small, icy bodies of the outer solar system. What are they each like, how did they get there, and what can we learn from them? We will discuss what spacecraft have seen and what we have learned from spacecraft visits to both asteroids and comets, Finally, we will investigate how these bodies have been - and could be – any threat to impacting Earth and endangering us.

The event is free but please register by calling Continuing Education at 630 942-2208 at least 3 days in advance or use this link:

https://selfserv.cod.edu/Student/InstantEnrollment
[not the most user friendly registration site - call if you have problems!]

Henize Observatory at Harper College in Palatine contains one of the largest public telescopes in the Chicago area. They are once again open every other Friday night for public observing. In addition to the large telescope in the dome, several smaller telescopes will be set up. Several astronomers will be there to give us a tour of the fall sky.

Usual targets include the moon, planets, nebula, star clusters, and galaxies.

# Karl G. Henize Observatory

## Drop by, look through a telescope, and prepare to be awed.

### Free Community Viewing Sessions

Experience the wonder of the universe and the excitement of discovery. Not only can you observe objects near and far, but volunteers provide interpretation of what you're seeing. Observatory events are free and open to the community.

Tips for first time visitors:

• Admission is free, however we ask that you please sign in.
• Plan on staying about an hour. There are often lines for our telescopes.
• Visitors climb a 7-foot tall ladder to reach our main telescope. We also operate several telescopes at ground level.
• Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. You may be standing in lines and climbing a ladder.
• Dress for the weather. The observatory is not heated and it can get chilly at night.
• There are no restrooms or water fountains at the observatory.
• We can't see anything if it is cloudy, but we may stay open just in case it clears up.
• The observatory will not be open in rain or inclement weather.

More information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/observatory/index.php

The observatory is isolated on the northeast part of the campus. Park in lot 8. I'll have my green laser pointer to point out any satellites visible that evening. As a courtesy to others, no bright flashlights (use red if possible), flash photography, and please turn off car headlights in the area.